‘We Are Eternal Friends’
On September 11, a sudden flood struck the northeastern region of the United States,
resulting in significant damage across several states.
In Leominster, Massachusetts, streets and homes were inundated, and sinkholes emerged,
leading to the closure of numerous roads. Nearby residents were also instructed
to evacuate due to concerns about potential dam collapses.
On the 13th, as the rain persisted, members of WeLoveU in Boston arrived early
at the Leominster Emergency Management Facility to assist with flood preparedness.
To aid the emergency response efforts and brace for any further flooding,
the members diligently filled sandbags for flood prevention
and distributed them to local residents.
They delivered sandbags to homes at risk of flooding and to the local nursing home,
Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
At the Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, they strategically placed sandbags in front of the building and at the basement entrance as a precautionary measure.
“I’ve been involved in volunteering in this city for the past few years. So, it’s hard to believe what’s happened here right now. I am grateful to be able to help local residents, even in a small way.”
Ricky Rosario, WeLoveU member
“We needed to deliver sandbags to the nursing home, and just then we received the wonderful news that volunteers were on their way. It’s truly heartwarming to reunite with WeLoveU members after such a long time due to COVID-19. We are eternal friends. Thank you very much.”
Dean Mazzarella, Mayor of Leominster
Mayor Dean Mazzarella welcomed the members, expressing gratitude to WeLoveU
for providing much-needed assistance during these challenging times.
WeLoveU will remain committed to being “eternal friends” to our neighbors
and cooperating to address the difficulties facing the local community.
“You Came at the Most Crucial Time”
Penco City Councilors in the Biobio Region of Chile,
and officials from the Welfare Department of Concepcion City visited the WeLoveU
Concepcion Chapter to discuss the ways to help the neighbors in Penco,
who were affected by a major fire earlier this year.
In February of this year, consecutive heatwaves and droughts led to wildfires
in central and southern Chile. According to the National Forestry Corporation
of Chile [CONAF], an area equivalent to 8.5 times the size of Seoul was engulfed
in flames, resulting in dozens of fatalities and approximately 7,000 displaced residents.
However, with time passing, the scars left by the wildfires have faded
from people’s memories. While the recovery of daily life is still a long way off,
prices have soared, making the hardships of the victims even greater.
The last lecture was the global citizenship education by YI Bae-Keun, the
WeLoveU prepared grocery sets for the displaced residents who might
feel lonely with the approaching major holiday, Independence Day.
Large boxes were filled with essential groceries such as various types of pasta,
sauces, rice, flour, canned goods, beans, sugar, cooking oil, coffee, tea, and more.
Then, on September 13, amidst the presence of Mayor of Concepción,
Penco City Councilor, President of Penco Neighborhood Council,
WeLoveU delivered grocery boxes to 60 households affected by the disaster, at the Penco Civic Center.
The disaster victims expressed their gratitude with tears welling up in their eyes.
Penco City Councilor and President of Penco Neighborhood Council
each presented a certificate of appreciation to WeLoveU.
Alvaro Ortiz Vera, Mayor of Concepcion
“I am the Mayor of Concepción and also the President of the Association of Municipalities of the Entire BioBío Region. February was truly a tragic month for our Biobío Region. Fierce wildfires caused damage to livestock and farmland in various areas,I ncluding Penco. As the holiday season approaches, I express my gratitude for your support to the wildfire victims. Thanks to WeLoveU, the victims’ concerns about food have been eased off. WeLoveU has given beautiful gifts to the victims during the holiday season.”
Alvaro Ortiz Vera, Mayor of Concepcion
Maria Carolina Inostroza Verdugo, Penco City Councilor
“In Penco, 43 households were completely destroyed by the wildfires. Even the homes that were barely rebuilt have suffered further damage from recent heavy rains. Your support with groceries during this critical time is especially appreciated. I also express gratitude for the work Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah is carrying out throughout the world. We Love You.”
Maria Carolina Inostroza Verdugo, Penco City Councilor
Rumualdo Sáez Carrillo, President of Penco Neighborhood Council
“This is a vast rural area, where many neighbors have lost their livelihoods due to the wildfires. We have been spending days like an unpredictable disaster. At a time when the tragedies in our region were slowly being forgotten, you came at the most crucial moment. During the holiday season when we feared we would go hungry, thanks to you, we were able to spend enjoyable time with our families. We are truly, truly grateful.”
Rumualdo Sáez Carrillo, President of Penco Neighborhood Council
On that day, the WeLoveU members also personally visited the neighbors’ homes
to deliver the gift boxes, wishing for them to swiftly return to normal life.
Donation for Wildfire Victims
Donation of 100 Million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association
In April, due to the continued drought, large wildfires broke out across the country: Yeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, Suncheon and Hampyeong in South Jeolla Province, Daejeon, Okcheon in North Chungcheong Province, and Hongseong and Geumsan in South Chungcheong Province. Many victims who lost their homes in an instant are still suffering, living in temporary housing without being able to return to their daily lives even after the wildfire is extinguished.
On September 4, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation delivered 100 million KRW to the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association(hereinafter referred to as Hope Bridge) to help wildfire victims. The donation ceremony was held at the Hope Bridge Headquarters in Mapo-gu, Seoul, being attended by officials such as Hope Bridge Chairman Song Pil-ho and Secretary General Kim Jeong-hee. The Intl. WeLoveU Foundation Director Lee Seung-eon said, “I hope that Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah’s love and comfort will be conveyed to the hearts of the victims.” The members of Hope Bridge said, “The wide range of volunteer services of WeLoveU led by Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah is amazing. We will deliver the donations and the warmth of WeLoveU members to the victims.”
Through the 24th New Life Family Walkathon held on April 23, WeLoveU decided to help neighbors in need in 24 countries, including Korea wildfire victims and Turkiye earthquake victims. This donation on September 4 was made as part of that decision.
Due to “global tropicalization,” which goes beyond global warming, precipitation in spring and winter decreases and dry weather continues, leading to an increase in naturally occurring wildfires; and the number of cases of artificially generated wildfires spreading to a large scale is also increasing. According to the Korea Forest Service, the number of domestic wildfires in 2022 reached an all-time high of 756, and this year, wildfires are expected to become more frequent and exceed that record. In December 2019 and April 2022, WeLoveU delivered a message of encouragement by donating 100 million KRW worth of local gift certificates and 50 million KRW to the Gangwon Provincial Office for the wildfire victims in Gangwon Province, who suffered great damage from successive large-scale wildfires.
“All the Earthquake Victims in Türkiye! Stay Strong!”
On February 6, in the quiet dawn when everyone was asleep,
a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Türkiye and Syria.
Numerous cities in southeastern Türkiye were reduced to ruins by the massive earthquake. Over 50,000 lives were lost, and according to the UN Refugee Agency, at least 15 million refugees were generated as 300,000 buildings collapsed or were damaged. Hundreds of thousands who lost their homes sought refuge in tents or temporary shelters.
WeLoveU promptly collaborated with the Turkish Embassy in the Republic of Korea to aid the earthquake victims. Within less than ten days, 180,000 relief items, including winter clothing, blankets, and tents, were gathered in the Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon regions.
Preparing Relief Supplies with Hearts Full of Love
On April 2, 140 members from Daejeon City and Chungbuk Province gathered at the Okcheon Logistics Center, where relief supplies were piled up.
Their purpose was to carefully select and neatly pack the items to be sent to Türkiye.
The members transferred the donated items to packing tables, checked their condition, and neatly packaged them in new boxes. Afterward, they attached stickers with messages of support for Turkish earthquake victims
On a sunny spring day, despite the early warmth causing sweat,
the members showed no signs of fatigue.
“I cannot even imagine how difficult it must be, but I hope for warm spring days in Türkiye, too. It was fulfilling to extend a small comfort.”
“I believe our love and support will reach our neighbors in Türkiye. I hope the time of suffering passes quickly.”
“I came across the news through the media, and my heart ached. I hope additional assistance reaches the children.”
“I’m happy to begin my college life by helping global families.”
On that day, the members packaged a total of 3,870 boxes of relief supplies.
These boxes were loaded onto seven large cargo trucks and transported to the Türkiye Relief Goods Logistics Center in Incheon. After a 45-day voyage, the relief supplies will be delivered to the earthquake victims through the Disaster and Emergency Management Authority of Türkiye [AFAD].
WeLoveU hopes the warm love and sincerity contained in the relief supplies
will blossom into flowers of hope in the hearts of the earthquake victims.
“Earthquake victims in Türkiye! Stay strong!”
“Hope Leads the Way”
In Imizamo Yethu village, Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa,
over 100 homes were destroyed in a fire last September.
The damage was greater because the majority of the affected homes
were makeshift shacks constructed on steep hillsides.
Upon hearing this news, members of the Intl, WeLoveU Foundation
(Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah) in Cape Town, South Africa, took action.
After discussions with the Department of Social Development of Western Cape Province
regarding aid for the fire victims, a decision was made to provide kitchen supplies
to neighbors experiencing hardships due to the loss of their belongings in the fire.
The members prepared relief boxes containing essential kitchen items
such as electric stoves, pots, dishes, spoons, forks, and more,
hoping for the swift recovery of their neighbors’ daily lives.
On November 3, a relief distribution ceremony was held at the Hout Bay
Community Center. The community representatives warmly welcomed
WeLoveU members and officials from the Department of Social Development.
Kenny Tokwe, Village Representative
“Thank you for visiting our community. We’ve lost a lot, but we still smile with hope because of those who help us. We believe that where there is hope, there is a way.”
Kenny Tokwe, Village Representative
Sharna Fernandez, Social Development Minister of Western Cape Province
“We express our gratitude to Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the members of WeLoveU for bringing joy and hope to this village. The relief supplies will be immensely helpful to the fire victims. With this donation, the lives of the people here will transite from despair to hope. Once again, we thank Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah for her generosity.”
Sharna Fernandez, Social Development Minister of Western Cape Province
Nontsikelo Mbizo, Village Resident
“I’ve lost everything due to the fire, including my cooking and dining utensils. These relief supplies will be a huge help to the residents of Imizamo Yethu. We express heartfelt gratitude to WeLoveU.”
Nontsikelo Mbizo, Village Resident
WeLoveU members and officials from the Department of Social
Development delivered relief supplies to 78 households
in Imizamo Yethu village with warm comfort.
WeLoveU will continue to stand alongside those experiencing
unexpected hardships, serving as their dependable neighbors
to guide them toward a path of hope.
Making a World Where No One Is Lonely With Emergency Relief
Mariannridge Community Hall in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa, is where people temporarily stay after being displaced by the worst rains in decades in mid-April this year. There are 97 temporary housing facilities for this purpose in South Africa.
The scars from the heavy rains that remain on the hearts of the flood victims
are still evident, but the interest and support for them is decreasing.
Every day, they are struggling to find a meal at the facilities.
On July 6, officials from the Department of Social Development in South Africa and
local members of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “WeLoveU”) met to discuss over how to support the flood victims. Then, they decided to help a total of 500 flood victims who are staying in four temporary housing facilities in Durban. This area suffered more damage from floods and landslides than other areas. The WeLoveU bought groceries such as cornmeal, soybeans, sugar, canned food, soaps, toothpastes, diapers, and sanitary supplies, and packed relief boxes.
On August 8, the Mariannridge Community Hall was full of vitality after a long time.
As the relief boxes were displayed, the people gathered to sing and dance with joy.
The Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu said to the flood victims,
“We will make more efforts to fasten the process of preparing stable shelters.
While I was worried about how to handle the meals for you living here,
the WeLoveU reached out their hands to help us. I truly thank the WeLoveU so much.
Please say thank you to Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah as well.”
After the ceremony, the WeLoveU members, Minister Zulu, and the flood victims
shouted, “We Love You,” to each other with all their strength.
“We love you!”
“Thank you for giving courage and strength to the people here.
We love you!”
“Thank you for giving courage and strength to the people here. We love you!”
“Thank you for visiting us without forgetting. We love you!”
They were happy and joyful that they had not been forgotten
even though they were still dealing with the aftermath of the disaster.
Wherever there are difficulties, the WeLoveU goes and makes a world
where no one is lonely, through appropriate emergency relief efforts.
Donation for Forest Fire Victims in Gangwon Province, Korea
Intl. WeLoveU Foundation donated 50 million KRW to Gangwon Province Office
On April 27, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation (hereinafter referred to as the “WeLoveU’) donated 50 million KRW to the Gangwon Province Office in Korea to help neighbors who were affected by forest fires on the east coast. In the cities of Samcheok, Gangneung, and Donghae, the forest fires in March caused damage to the property of more than 54 billion KRW and 120 people became victims.
At the donation ceremony held at the Gangwon Province Office, the WeLoveU Chairman Lee Kang-min said, “When you are having a hard time, your mother must be the one that comes to mind. I hope that a mother’s love will be delivered to those who are having a hard time.” Gangwon Province Vice Governor Kim Myung-joong said, “It is urgent to support the victims to return to their daily lives. I thank Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the members for having comforted the victims even in the forest fire in 2019 and for making this donation this year, too.”
In 2019, there were deadly forest fires in Goseong, Gangneung, Sokcho, and Donghae in Gangwon Province. At that time, the WeLoveU donated 100 million KRW worth of local gift certificates to the Gangwon Province Office, wishing for the victims’ return to their daily life.