The New Life Welfare Foundation hosted the 4th New Life Concert, sponsored by JoongAng Daily, at Seongnam Gymnasium on December 10, 2003. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, and many distinguished figures such as Representative Director of Joongang Daily Song Pil-ho, President of Information and Communications University Heo Un-nah, Chairwoman of Women’s News Joanne Lee, and Chief Director of Open Society Cultural Research Institute Choi Ho participated in the event to support children from disadvantaged families who are afflicted by illnesses and financial difficulties. Along with these distinguished guests and the volunteers from the New Life Welfare Foundation, an audience of around 6,000 people filled even the stairs and aisles of the venue. Although it was midwinter, the concert hall was full of warmth, radiating love and passion.
Hope and Encouragement Shared With Children From Disadvantaged Families
The New Life Welfare Foundation has been sharing love by making efforts for child welfare in many ways—supporting children from disadvantaged families in Korea and assisting with medical expenses of Vietnamese children who are suffering from heart disease. Around 6:30 p.m., before the concert began, the audience watched congratulatory video messages from Governor of Gyeonggi Province Sohn Hak-kyu and Director of Bundang Jesaeng Hospital Yu Hui-tak as well as the promotional video that introduced the activities of the New Life Welfare Foundation.
Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah explained the purpose of the concert—helping children from disadvantaged families through love and care. She thanked the volunteers for embracing their neighbors in difficulties. She also encouraged the children and their guardians, who were suffering from illnesses and financial hardship, to cheer up and hold on to hope. Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak too sent a congratulatory message to the Foundation for holding such a meaningful event.
Compassion for Children From Disadvantaged Families
The New Life Children’s Choir opened the concert with a vibrant voice. Performances in various genres such as choir, orchestra, pansori (Korean musical storytelling performance), and samulnori (performance with Korean musical instruments) uplifted the atmosphere. Thereafter, singers Bae Gyeong-seob, Kim Jae-hun, Yoo Yeol, and Noh Sa-yeon and more gave ardent and touching performances. The audience participated in their performances by singing along, clapping, and waving their hands.
The Foundation raised a donation of 45 million KRW [about 40,000 USD] through the fourth concert and delivered it to nine child/adolescent-headed families and eight children with leukemia, heart disease, and other incurable diseases for their medical and living expenses.
The New Life Welfare Foundation’s Sense of Calling
“If our small efforts to care for our neighbors and communities can bring hope and courage to them, we can finish the year meaningfully and beautifully. No matter how much time passes, this love-filled event will be remembered as a beautiful memory forever.” Chairwoman of the New Life Welfare Foundation Zahng Gil-jah
As Chairwoman Zahng said, the day of practicing love by delivering happiness and comfort to communities was remembered by everyone as a beautiful memory. The members of the Foundation were full of smiles when they left the concert. Praising the Foundation’s volunteer services, Dr. Jo Min from Korea Institute for National Unification stated, “It was an amazing experience. It’s hard to pay attention to people in unfortunate socio-economic circumstances all the time unless you have a special sense of calling.”
At the end of the year, the New Life Welfare Foundation will explore its communities and neighbors to assist children from disadvantaged families and neighbors living alone so that they can happily greet the New Year.