“Eat kimchi full of Mother’s love and be happy!”

Having the winter ahead, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation held the 5th kimchi-making event. On November 9, the “2011 Kimchi-Making Event With Foreigners to Share Mother’s Love” was held at the Seoul Nori Madang which is located in the Seokchon Lake Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the 200 members of the WeLoveU Foundation participated in the event. The members in the Songpa-gu, Seoul, served warm lunch for the participants, and the members in Okcheon perchased 3,000 fine heads of cabbage and fillings before a few days, washed them and preserved them in salt. Some foreign members who stayed in Korea also joined in making kimchi. Vocalist Lee Seung-hun, who has participated in the event every year, rolled up his sleeves to make kimchi, saying that “making food and sharing it with one another is the aesthetic sentiment of Korean people.”

From early in the morning, the members had been busy setting up tables for kimchi-making and carrying ingredients. To help the participants and passersby understand the event, they also set up panels with an explanation about the history of kimchi and meaning of kimchi-making for the winter in Korean, English and Japanese languages. By this, the members introduced Korean culture of kimchi-making that delivers the love and devotion of a mother to their own family members and share it with their neighbors.

After 10 a.m., the kimchi-making event started. The members said, “We feel really happy that our neighbors will eat this kimchi deliciously,” and mixed kimchi seasoning joyfully. Catherine Namubiru (28) who came from Uganda said that it was the first time for her to eat kimchi. She said, “I’ve never tasted kimchi because I thought it would be too spicy, but it’s delicious as I tasted it, today.” Galina Povoroznyuk (22), who moved to Korea from Uzbekistan as she got married two years ago, gave the thumbs-up sign, saying, “I came to love kimchi after moving to Korea, but it is more delicious as I myself make it.”

Park Ol-ga (29), a third generation Korean Diaspora (Koryo-in) who is from Uzbekistan and the Kim Ryang-a (34), a Korean Japanese, said that they had enjoyed kimchi as the Korean race in their countries but Korean kimchi has much deep taste. They say it is because more efforts are put in preparing ingredients and the process. The member Kim Ryang-a (34) said that she was pleased to help her neighbors by making kimchi with the heart of a mother.

Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the members of the WeLoveU Foundation made kimchi with their whole heart and love.

The members from the political establishment of the region visited the Seoul Nori Madang, which was filled with festive atmosphere because of the members who delightfully volunteered, and they encouraged the members. Park Chun-hee, Chief of the Songpa District Office in Seoul expressed her gratitude to the members, saying, “I’m always grateful to the WeLoveU Foundation because you are so caring for our unprivileged neighbors. Seeing you make kimchi today, I’m really touched to tears for the thought of the residents who will be pleased to receive the food for winter.” Park Yeong-a, a member of the National Assembly also expressed her gratitude for the members who delivered kimchi to their neighbors with the heart of a mother.

After making kimchi, the members stood in a row to load a truck with 500 kimchi boxes of 10 kg. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah praised the members for their effort, saying, “I’m really grateful for the members who made kimchi today.”

김치를 사랑으로 버무리고 정성으로 담근 위러브유 장길자 회장과 회원들

Kimchi made on this day were delivered to 500 families—senior citizens living alone, parentless children, multicultural families, low income families—through the district offices of Nowon-gu, Songpa-gu, Jung-gu and Junglang-gu. The welfare officers who received kimchi, and people from related organizations appreciated the meaning of the event and thanked the WeLoveU Foundation. Gang Seong-gu, the chief of the Songpa-gu Community Center for Children who received 100 boxes, said, “We take care of around 240 children from low income families, parentless families and single parent families after school at eleven Community Centers for Children in Songpa-gu. This kimchi will be food for the children throughout this winter. This kind of social concern and encouragement can support the children psychologically and help them grow healthy both physically and spiritually, so that they will help others in the future. Your help creates a virtuous circle.”

“Kimch of Mother’s Love” was delivered to four district offices in Seoul.

After kimchi-making event, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and some of the members visited neighbors in need who live in Samjeon-dong, Songpa-gu, carrying rice and side dish set as well as kimchi, and delivered their warmheartedness. Ahn Chang-ju (78), a senior citizen living alone, had suffered from loneliness and illness. Chairwoman Zahng took her hands and said, “I wish this winter will be warm to you with this kimchi that the members made wholeheartedly,” and donated medical expenses to her. She repeatedly thanked, saying, “I don’t have children who can take care of me. Thank you very much for helping me.” Su-bin’s mom (33), who came from Vietnam, lost her smile while suffering from depression and the hardships of life. When the chairwoman comforted her, worrying about her living conditions and health, she felt the love of a mother and moved to tears. While they opened their minds and had a talk, laughter flowed amidst Su-bin’s mom, her husband and her children.

Lim Bu-ja (66) who raises her grandson alone said, “Thank you so much for giving me kimchi that I could not taste this year. How blessed you are because you do really good work!” Seeing the smile on the faces of their neighbors, the members felt how happy and blessed it is to share something with their neighbors. They also hoped that their neighbors with whom they shared love will spend this winter warm in good health.

Kimchi and gifts from the heart are delivered to our neighbors including multicultural families and senior citizens living alone.