The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah) and monthly Woman Dong-A were teamed up to protect the beautiful earth environment.
During the month of May, they carried out the “Plogging” challenge
by picking up trash when they took a walk or exercised.

Members from all over the world, including the United States, Nepal, India, Ecuador, Togo, and Rep. of Korea, participated in environmental protection with their family and friends. By cleaning up all the places they could walk, such as parks, rivers, beaches, and streets, they expressed their love for the earth to their hearts’ content. Let’s take a look at their vivid challenge through the reviews from the WeLoveU members.

👏Everywhere you go is a place of challenge

Beach

On a sunny day, my mom and I took a walk along the Hudson River. Picking up plastic, we cleaned the beach.

- Carly Adames, U.S.

Around Workplace

The area around my workplace was dirty with trash, but I hadn’t thought about cleaning it up until today. It feels good to see the clean streets after cleaning.

- Gbotan Valerie, Togo

Street Around the Park

The tape that was used to attach flyers to the wall didn’t come off easily. It would be good to think about whether our deeds will harm the environment before taking an action.

- Park Hyeon-hye

Reservoir Promenade

While walking with my two daughters on the promenade of Wangam Reservoir, I found a long stretch of waste rubber tube and cleaned it together. Usually, I received comfort from beautiful nature, but today I was proud that I did something for nature. I will cherish nature that gives me many things.

- Son Sun-hee

Neighborhood Park

It was a very meaningful time to participate in saving the earth with my family. I was surprised by the large amount of oversized waste that people had thrown away without permission. In order to prevent environmental pollution, I will try not to make much garbage.

- Kim Eun-hee

💓I’m happier since I participated in the challenge with my loved ones

I participated in the challenge with my English study members, walking and picking up trash together. I wondered if there was any trash because my neighborhood was clean, but there were quite a few soda bottles discarded over the place. I also tried a lunge pose while picking up. I had a refreshing day doing exercise with the members and picking up trash, which I hadn’t done for a while.

- Park Do-hyang

I participated in the challenge with my English study members, walking and picking up trash together. I wondered if there was any trash because my neighborhood was clean, but there were quite a few soda bottles discarded over the place. I also tried a lunge pose while picking up. I had a refreshing day doing exercise with the members and picking up trash, which I hadn’t done for a while.

- Park Do-hyang

I felt younger, plogging with my grandson.

- Lim Geun-soon

I went on a picnic to the Han River Citizen Park with my friends, which I hadn’t seen for a while. I prepared an eco-bag in advance to pick up trash. Walking with my friends, I really enjoyed my time having picnic and cleaning up.

- Choi Ji-young

I spent time with people I missed. Plogging among the dense trees made me happier and rewarding. From now on, I will continue to take a small bag with me for a walk.

- Choi Ji-young

I spent time with people I missed. Plogging among the dense trees made me happier and rewarding. From now on, I will continue to take a small bag with me for a walk.

- Kim A-reum

The “Plogging” challenge is very interesting. I can exercise outdoors and volunteer for the community at the same time. Above all, I can have a good time to bond with my co-workers outside the office.

- Jacob, U.S.

The “Plogging” challenge is very interesting. I can exercise outdoors and volunteer for the community at the same time. Above all, I can have a good time to bond with my co-workers outside the office.

- Jacob, U.S.

🏫This is an active educational field!

I participated in the challenge with my husband and daughter. Through this challenge, my child must have learned that she must not throw away trash anywhere she wants. Feeling accomplished, she was happy throughout the plogging.

- Kim Hae-young

I participated in the challenge while walking back home from school with my son, and I was surprised that there were so many cigarette butts. When we arrived home after picking up the trash diligently, he felt sorry that he couldn’t do more. He said he was happy to do something for the environment. Thanks to the challenge, I had a meaningful time with my son.

- Kim Jeong-sook

Surprised that there was too much trash, I reflected on my behaviors in the past. This challenge became a positive experience for my daughter, too. Before, if she saw trash, walking to nursery with me, she often asked me, “Who threw it away?” Then I just answered, “I guess someone forgot about it.” But from now on, I will pick up trash with her.

- Yun Young-mi

It was nice to be with my daughter, but it was even better because she realized that we should take care of the earth and love it.

- Min Geum-bok

My family joined the challenge with my mother. After explaining the challenge to my seven-year-old daughter, we took a walk together and picked up trash. Whenever she saw trash, she diligently picked it up and said, “You shouldn’t throw it away.” It was more enjoyable and meaningful for my family to work together to save the environment.

- Cho Yu-mi

➰I changed my mind while participating in the challenge

I often complained to the government about not cleaning public places.
However, while participating in the challenge I learned
that it is more important not to throw away trash than to clean it up.
Before I make a request to the government, I will take the lead in picking up trash.
Then, someone will follow that example,
and the community we live in will be changed to a better place.

- Shambu Gautam, Nepal

The route that I drive every day became a path full of trash
instead of nice promenade because someone started throwing away trash.I asked the city office for solution, but I didn’t take an initiative to clean up, thinking that it would be awkward and annoyed to do it alone. However, plucking up courage, I started picking up trash after hearing about the challenge.

The pay-as-you-go bag was full in ten minutes.
I just left the bulky trash because it did not fit in the bag.
However, my son bought a 50-liter bag and asked me to put away the trash
that we left behind; I guess he couldn’t stop thinking about the trash that we left behind.

I’m reminded of the phrase that says,
“Be good people first, rather than finding good people.”
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a good person.

- Nam Ji-eun

I usually walk with my dog. Before I participated in the challenge,
I thought it was clean, but trash was seen everywhere as I took part in the challenge.
I filled a large bag with trash soon.
Through this challenge, I realized that concern is important
because concern for the environment leads us to take action.
While taking a walk, I met my neighbor’s dog owner
and received compliments for doing a good job.
Maybe, that’s why it was more rewarding.

- Lee Ji-su

In June, we have the “Plastic Upcycling” Challenge.
Please join the WeLoveU’s challenges to create a beautiful world!

*In the July issue of Monthly Woman Dong-A, outstanding reviews on the "Plogging"’ challenge will be introduced.