The New Life Welfare Foundation, which has been helping neighbors in need with the heart of a mother, held the 6th New Life Concert in Jeongshimhwa Hall of the Jeongshimhwa International Cultural Center of Choongnam University on December 22, 2005. This event was sponsored by South Choongcheong Provincial Government, Daejeon Metropolitan Government, South Choongcheong Province Police Agency, Choongnam University, Information and Communications University, Daejeon Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation [MBC], Daejeon Broadcasting [TJB], Daejeon Ilbo, Save the Children, and Korea Child Abuse Prevention Association. Many distinguished guests from different fields attended the concert despite their busy schedules: Actor and Sponsor Chairman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Lee Soon-jae, Principal of Korea Youth Counseling Institute Lee Bae-geun, Deputy Mayor of Political Affairs of Daejeon Metropolitan Government Park Seong-hyo, and President of Chungnam National University Yang Hyeon-su.
The New Life Welfare Foundation Practicing Love With the Heart of a Mother
With the heart of a mother who thinks of her children, the members of the New Life Welfare Foundation gathered for the 6th New Life Concert for children and teenagers suffering from diseases and financial difficulties. Around 7:00 p.m., the donation delivery ceremony, the first part of the event, started when approximately 2,000 members of the Foundation filled the hall. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah explained the purpose of the event by saying, “It is a meaningful concert because people gather here to share heartwarming love and give lonely neighbors hope and courage.” She expressed her thanks to the attendees for coming to the event despite the cold weather and her hope that the neighbors will be encouraged by the care and love of the participants through the concert.
The guests praised the Foundation with congratulatory speeches for its broad range of voluntary services carried out with the heart of a mother. Deputy Mayor of Political Affairs of Daejeon Metropolitan Government Park Seong-hyo delivered words of thanks and encouragement to the members, saying, “Love can be shared through action. All of you here at this concert are the ones who truly share love.” Governor of South Choongcheong Province Shim Dae-pyeong and other distinguished individuals of various fields, who could not attend the concert due to unavoidable circumstances, delivered their gratitude through congratulatory messages, wishing for a successful concert.
At the donation delivery ceremony, donations and gifts were given to a total of 13 children who were either from parentless households or suffering from heart disease. The Foundation members personally selected and wrapped the gifts, wishing for the children to stay healthy during the cold winter. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah presented the donations and gifts to them on behalf of the Foundation members who not only expressed their love through these contributions but also demonstrated their constant concern and support with the heart of a mother.
Touching Performances Prepared With the Heart of a Mother
The second part of the event started with a video that contained the history of the New Life Welfare Foundation, tracing the steps it had taken with the heart of a mother. The audience was moved by the video. Thereafter, a performance was presented by the New Life Children’s Choir with a cartoon song medley. Following the children’s performance, new singers and the Foundation members performed different types of songs from art, folk, and pop genres. Songs such as “Dear Friend” and “You Raise Me Up” filled the atmosphere of the concert hall with love and hope, making the event even more heartwarming. The concert ended successfully when all the cast and the audience sang “We Love You” together.
Novice singers Eom Tae-gyeong and Kim Dong-hyeon also shared a message of love, by saying, “We were really nervous. However, we were able to do it thanks to the audience’s encouragement. We felt so happy about their heartfelt welcome and cheer for us. We hope that the children in poor health and our neighbors in need will become happier and healthier.” Lee Eun-ju (a member from Cheongju City) said, “Gathering our small effort and giving hope to children is the most rewarding.”
A Great Miracle Created When Small Efforts Are Gathered
“Although our small efforts and labor cannot cure all the pains and sorrows in the world, if our small concern and love are gathered, they can give our neighbors great comfort just as little streams gather and form a deep and wide ocean. Even though today’s event is a small effort, I hope and believe it will make this world a more beautiful place.” Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
Just as Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah wished, today’s event provided an opportunity to give warm comfort and strength to the neighbors in need with the heart of a mother. The invited beneficiary children had big smiles on their faces, enjoying the performances that the New Life Concert prepared wholeheartedly. The beneficiary family members also said, “All the performances presented today were very touching. We are going to live bravely without losing hope, remembering the love and hope you just shared with us.”
After the concert, the Foundation members cleaned the hall until late at night, bringing the event to a successful end. They wished that the beneficiary children would grow healthy and happy with hope for a new life, and expressed their determination to share love with the heart of a mother with more neighbors.
Thus far, almost 100 children have received the gift of a new life through the annual New Life Concert. Small efforts will continue to be gathered and create many more great miracles. Just as snow gently falls everywhere whether on high or low places and makes the whole world white, the members of the New Life Welfare Foundation are ready to run everywhere and share love with whoever needs help.
