Social welfare refers to a social effort to guarantee people’s livelihood stability and education, occupation, and medical care, etc. In other words, it is an effort to create a society where no one is alienated and everyone is happy.
The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation, which was established to practice social welfare for others through the love of a mother, held the 15th New Life Concert on December 1, 2014. This event was held at Seoul Student Gymnasium to deliver laughter and hope to underprivileged households, multicultural families, children with rare and incurable diseases, and flood victims in Nepal. Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, Sponsor Chairman Lee Soon-jae, President of Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association Lee Bae-geun, and distinguished guests from all walks of life as well as over 6,000 WeLoveU members and participants gathered for the event.
Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Taking the Lead in Practicing Social Welfare
Families of the beneficiaries who are in the blind spots of social welfare were also invited and came to watch the concert. Before the start of the concert, there was the opening address by Honorary Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah. She said, “This is the time when an eventful year is about to come to a close. Through the concert, I hope you will put your moments of sadness behind you for a while and receive the energy of joy and happiness to the full,” encouraging the participants and members. Sponsor Chairman Lee Soon-jae said, “This year has been a year of sorrow and pain especially for us,” and offered his condolences for the victims of Sewol ferry disaster, and expressed his gratitude and best wishes for the new year to the members for giving hope and sharing comfort through warm-hearted volunteer services at the site of the Sewol ferry disaster.
It was followed by congratulatory remarks by foreign diplomats to Korea. H.E. Carlos Victor Boun-gou the Ambassador of Gabon to Korea expressed his gratitude and support for the social welfare activities of the WeLoveU in Gabon, saying, “The WeLoveU and Gabon signed a climate change response agreement in 2012, so this event is even more meaningful to me.” On top of that, he also asked the WeLoveU to continue to contribute to social welfare around the world to help more people lead happy lives.
At the donation delivery ceremony that followed, living and medical expenses were provided to a total of 51 underprivileged households and multicultural families. The construction of a bridge was also promised to the residents of the Tengra River basin in the Sunsari region of Nepal, who suffer greatly from the collapse of the bridge every time there is a flood.
Practicing Social Welfare With One Accord
The curtain was raised and the full-fledged concert began with the New Life Children’s Choir’s cute nursery rhyme medley. Singers Kim Jae-hun, Soh Chan-hwi, Yun Tae-gyu, Jeong Su-ra, Shin Yu, Ben, and Lee Seung-hoon enthusiastically sang songs that conveyed hope. Every time the singers went on stage, the audience energized them by cheering together. The singers who went on stage to donate their talents to help practice social welfare, expressed how rewarded they felt by saying, “I feel like the enthusiastic response of the audience rather gave me energy.”
Actor Kim Seong-hwan, who presided the second part of the concert, said, “Who is the most successful and the happiest person in the world? It’s someone who has love in their heart and shares that love with their neighbors.” He also said, “The WeLoveU is practicing love for their neighbors around the world with the heart of a mother who devotes herself to her children,” and cheered on the WeLoveU members for taking the lead in practicing social welfare for others by rushing to wherever love and sharing are needed.
Singer Jeong Su-ra, who adorned the stage as the last performer, expressed her deep emotions, saying, “I am grateful and happy to be able to convey love to many people with my singing.” The concert was a chance for both the singers and the people cheering in the audience to become one with warm-hearted love for their neighbors.
Making the End of the Year Heartwarming With a Mother’s Love
“The year 2014 was a year of great difficulty struck by national sorrow and hardship. On my way here, I thought about how I could comfort and bring laughter to the hearts of those who suffered by the Sewol ferry disaster and underprivileged households, multicultural families, and families with children who have rare and incurable diseases. So through this New Life Concert, I wanted to create memories filled with laughter and joy. I stand here today as someone who would like to share laughter and hope with you. Everyone, I love you, and stay strong. We are always here to share hope and laughter with you. I hope today’s New Life Concert will be a joyful and happy time for all of you. Thank you.”Honorary Chairwoman of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
The heartwarming love for neighbors was conveyed to the beneficiaries who watched the concert together. A multicultural family housewife, who moved to Korea fourteen years ago to get married and has maintained her family’s livelihood despite financial difficulties, said, “Today, my whole family gained great hope.” She also said that she herself would like to become an amazing person who helps other people just like the WeLoveU members. She also expressed her determination to raise her child as someone who has a generous heart and gives love to others.
Although it was extremely cold outside as the temperature dropped below freezing overnight, the concert hall was filled with fervor emitted by those who embraced ardent love for neighbors. The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation will continue to take steps to practice social welfare for others with a mother’s love.