Working Together for a Safe and Healthy Life
On August 10, around 60 members from WeLoveU gathered at the Hong Kong
Jockey Club [HKJC] Drug InfoCentre in the Queensway Government Offices.
The gathering marked the launch of the ‘Crime Prevention and Anti-Drug Campaign,’
conducted in partnership with the Narcotics Division Anti-Drug Volunteer Group of Hong Kong. The initiative seeks to foster a safer and healthier community for local residents.
The HKJC Drug InfoCentre, a government-operated educational facility,
is dedicated to raising public awareness about the dangers of drug use
and preventing substance abuse through active citizen participation.
At three in the afternoon, following an educational session on drug-related laws
and regulations at the centre, WeLoveU members began their full-scale campaign.
They handed out eco-bags filled with pamphlets outlining the dangers of drug use
and encouraged citizens to join the effort to prevent crime and combat drug abuse.
On this day, the Narcotics Division Anti-Drug Volunteer Group honored WeLoveU
with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of its invaluable cooperation
in the recent anti-drug campaign.
“Among the participants, there are middle and college students,
as well as both men and women.
I can feel a great sense of positive energy from everyone.
Let us come together and tackle drug abuse as a team.
It is crucial that we address this issue.”
Anti-Drug Volunteer Group Chairwoman Zoe TANG
“WeLoveU members really show strong unity and energy.
I look forward to more chances to work together in the future.”
Anti-Drug Volunteer Group Vice-Chairman Raymond Wong
As more young people are being exposed to drugs and substances at an earlier age,
the Hong Kong government is stepping up its efforts to educate the public
about these risks. WeLoveU will join this effort and cooperate with the government
to help create a safer and healthier community.
Please stay tuned for the upcoming activities
from the Hong Kong WeLoveU members!
Supporting Water Supply Facilities at a Primary School in Uganda
In Uganda, numerous national schools lack adequate electrical or water supply infrastructure. The Police Children School in Ntinda, Kampala, was no exception.
The drainage and water pipes were damaged, and the water facilities
were deteriorating, making it challenging to access water even for handwashing.
As the importance of hygiene management for disease prevention grows, WeLoveU took action to enhance the academic environment at Police Children School Ntinda.
June 20
A 10,000-liter water tank is lifted and relocated to its designated position by using a crane.
Sturdy rainwater drainage pipes and gutters are installed for each school building. (Total length: 130 meters [142 yd])
June 21
New water tank supports are constructed, and trenches are dug to install water pipes.
June 22
Two water taps are constructed.
June 29
*Complete*
On July 7, a ceremony was held to mark the completion of the water supply facilities.
Mayor of Nakawa Division in Kampala, the District Education Officer,
the school principal, teachers, and students gathered on the school’s lawn
to celebrate the inauguration of the water supply facilities.
The children presented lively performances, and officials from the municipality
and the school expressed their gratitude to WeLoveU.
Kagoya Rebercca, Principal of Police Children School in Ntinda
“Today, we pledge to manage the water supply facilities with care. Now, we can provide clean and safe water to students, teachers, and local residents.”
Kagoya Rebercca, Principal of Police Children School in Ntinda
Paul Mugabe, Mayor of Nakawa division
“Now, our children’s health will improve. They will no longer suffer from illness. Students will be able to attend classes every day with energy and vitality. We love the WeLoveU Foundation.”
Paul Mugabe, Mayor of Nakawa division
Student Representative
“Before the water supply facilities were installed, we couldn’t use water. We will now handle water resources with care, study hard, and contribute to the improvement of our country.”
Student Representative
WeLoveU will continue to provide various educational support to ensure
that children receive education in a clean and safe environment
and grow into healthy members of society.
Clean and Safe Water
Clean water not only quenches thirst but also promotes good health.
On the other hand, drinking contaminated water significantly increases the risk
of contracting various waterborne diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
Kimironko II School in Kigali, Rwanda, did not have a water purification facility
and had been collecting rainwater to provide drinking water to its students.
As a result, students frequently suffered from stomachaches and infectious diseases.
After learning about the school’s difficult situation, WeLoveU decided to install
a purification facility so that the children could drink water safely and freely.
June 27
On June 30, the day of the water purification facility’s
completion ceremony, children’s faces lit up with happy smiles
as they filled their water bottles and drank the clean water.
Principal of Kimironko II School shared his thoughts on WeLoveU’s support
for water purification during an interview with the media:
Biwizagara Dominique, Principal of Kimironko II School
“Water is life itself, but it is difficult for children to bring water from home. We are very happy to have received this support (for the purification facility). The children are delighted that they can now get water whenever they need it. Since they are always running around and playing, they constantly need water. We will manage the facility well and make sure not to waste water.”
Biwizagara Dominique, Principal of Kimironko II School
The school plans to replace the water filters every six months
to continuously provide clean water to the students.
WeLoveU will continue to support the children
in growing up healthy by drinking clean and safe water.
Support for the Healthy Lives of Neighbors
This is Muisne Health Center [Type C] in Esmeraldas, Ecuador.
Supported by the government, they provide free medical treatment to people in need.
After the COVID-19 pandemic began, however, as the government was faced with financial challenges, there were setbacks in the supply of medical supplies and medicines to health centers, so it became difficult to support people with severe disabilities and elderly people, and essential items for daily life of patients were not supplied for years.
On June 22, WeLoveU members from Esmeraldas visited Muisne Health Center,
bringing nursing supplies for eleven patients who needed help urgently.
The members received a warm welcome from the medical staff, patients, and their families. They explained how to use the nursing supplies to the patients’ families in detail.
After the delivery ceremony, the members visited the home of a patient
in order to deliver a nursing supply to him,
because he was not able to attend the delivery ceremony due to his illness.
The patient expressed his gratitude with a bright smile.
“I always thought I was alone. I’m so happy to receive help. Thank you.”
The members responded with cheers, wishing for his speedy recovery.
Bladimir Cedeño Olarte, Director of Muisne Health Center
“I would like to thank Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the members for donating nursing supplies to our health center. We warmly welcome all of you for coming for the patients with disabilities who need help and are financially challenged. As the director of the health center, I would like to sincerely thank you once again for your great help.”
Bladimir Cedeño Olarte, Director of Muisne Health Center
Freddy Mera Puertas, Administrative Manager of the City of Muisne
“Today, I participated in the nursing supplies delivery ceremony at Muisne Health Center. By working together, we can improve the quality of life of the residents of Muisne.”
Freddy Mera Puertas, Administrative Manager of the City of Muisne
WeLoveU will continue to deliver hope to underprivileged people with customized medical support.
“Everyone, stay healthy. WeLoveU will be with you.”
P.S.
On June 22, WeLoveU members in Esmeraldas, Ecuador, visited the Muisne Health Center and donated five bath chairs, five commode chairs, and one anti bedsore mattress to 11 people with disabilities and elderly patients.
Gifting a Blanket as Cozy as Mother’s Arms
Do you know the great power that one small blanket has?
People feel comfortable and happy when they are covered in a warm and cozy blanket
or when they gently rub their cheeks against the soft fabric. It also relieves stress.
In the United States, blankets are often given as gifts to children staying in hospitals to help the children who are anxious away from their homes find stability even a little.
Oklahoma Children’s Hospital at OU Health in the United States receives many child patients from across the state. On March 23, WeLoveU donated 284 new blankets prepared by its members and citizens in hopes for a rapid recovery of the children staying there.
Blankets of various colors and patterns have a soft texture,
so children can feel cozy as if they were being held in their mother’s arms.
Brooklynn Nichols, Volunteer Coordinator at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital
“We are truly grateful to the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation for their wonderful work of donating blankets. A lot of these kiddos and their families come to the hospital unexpectedly, so they don’t think to bring something as small as a blanket. Whenever there’s one donated and we’re able to provide that for a family, it really brings great joy and comfort to our patients and families during a really hard time.”
Brooklynn Nichols, Volunteer Coordinator at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital
Hospital officials expressed their gratitude to WeLoveU, explaining the positive impact blanket donations have on children and their families.
Members hoped that the colorful, soft, and cozy blankets
would help children become healthy physically and mentally.
Worldwide Blood Drive 2023
Donating blood to share life with others is noble.
In early 2023, the WeLoveU members around the world
launched massive blood drives for neighbors who need blood transfusions.
From January 25 to March 6, the WeLoveU held more than 110 blood drives in 33 countries, including New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Benin, Zimbabwe, Brazil, Chile, the United States, and Rep. of Korea to deliver a mother’s love.
Approximately 20,000 WeLoveU members and citizens participated,
and about 8,000 of them made a miracle of saving more than 24,000 lives.
(One person’s blood donation can save three lives. )
At the time when blood supply is rapidly declining, people from the Red Cross,
blood donation centers, and hospitals, and even the heads of local governments
expressed their gratitude to the WeLoveU.
How Can I Participate in the Worldwide Blood Drive?
Members visited the WeLoveU website before the blood drive day
and made a pledge to take part in the Worldwide Blood Drive.
They promised to become responsible citizens who share life
by donating blood once a year and cooperating in forming a life-saving network.
Moreover, in order to donate healthy blood, they took care of their health
through healthy diets and exercise. The members who successfully donated blood
rejoiced, saying that a small practice had a great result in saving others’ lives.
Blood donation greatly helps save the lives of others. It was such a great thing to do, so I was happy to participate.
Nakamura Tomomi from Osaka, Japan
I worked out hard and enhanced my physical strength to donate blood. I’m so happy to hear that blood is used for a good cause.
Go Yun-ju from Gunsan, Korea
Saving lives is very important. I hope people from all over the world will join us.
Marlon from Brasília, Brazil
I participated in the campaign to help people in need of blood transfusions. I was very excited and happy to be able to deliver a mother’s love.
Alejandra Vera from Coquimbo, Chile
When my child was young, he was sick. He received blood platelets through the WeLoveU and recovered his health. I realized the importance of blood donation from that time, so I came to donate blood.
Kim Hee-jeong from Seoul, Korea
Voluntary Non-Remunerated Blood Donation,
the Safest Way to Donate Blood
The World Health Organization states that the safest blood donation
is “voluntary non-remunerated blood donation.”
This is a free-will blood donation without expecting anything in return.
Since they participate with a good heart that values others’ lives,
they try to take care of their health to share healthy blood.
All the blood drives of the WeLoveU is very meaningful because they voluntarily donated blood without receiving any payment for it.
Everybody was excited to participate in a large-scale blood drive
that took place years after COVID-19. In Korea, hundreds of members
who waited for the opportunity to share life in each region participated.
In Quezon City, Philippines, nearly 400 members participated
in the blood driveand many media outlets came to cover the event.
In Taichung, Taiwan, and in New Windsor, New York, U.S., the members explained to people the importance of voluntary non-remunerated blood donation, and promoted their interest and solidarity. As a result, two or three times more citizens than the number of the WeLoveU members participated in the blood drive, creating a beautiful sharing society.
Overflowing Thanksgiving for Life-Sharing
A member from Changwon, Korea, received a Silver Medal of Blood Donation from Korean Red Cross on the day of the blood drive held in the Gyeongnam Chapter, in recognition of his constant blood donation (30 times blood donation) since he was a university student. The member said, “When you have a job and family to take care of, it is not easy to do volunteer services. I think I received this medal since I continued to practice neighborly love and saving lives through the blood donation.”
Many organizations such as the Department of Health of Siem Reap in Cambodia, the Manukau Donor Centre in New Zealand, the Ringwood Red Cross Blood Donor Centre in Australia, and the Hospital Clinico Magallanes in Chile presented the certificates of appreciation to the WeLoveU for their generous donations to save lives.
Blood Donation Is the Best Love for Patients in Need of Blood Transfusion
A panel exhibition, which explains the importance of blood donation, drew the attention of citizens. As the members made known the value of blood donation and resolved the misunderstanding about blood donation, many citizens participated in blood donation right away.
In addition, many members donated their blood donation certificate that they received after donating blood, which enables donors to waive the blood transfusion cost in the future when they need it, hoping that it would be used for those who are urgently in need.
The heads of local governments, blood centers, and hospitals also welcomed the WeLoveU’s large-scale blood drives, and gave thanks to Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah and the members. They gave the WeLoveU the thumps up for giving hope and strengths to the patients.
I would like to give thanks to the Chairwoman of the WeLoveU and to all the members for carrying out the blood drive in the hospital. This supports all patients who need blood transfusions. At this time when the number of blood donors was decreasing, the WeLoveU helped encourage many people to donate blood.
Rodrigo Cravajal, Director of San Pablo de Coquimbo Banco de Sangre Hospital, Chile
In Brazil, there are few people who donate blood during the Carnival. However, more accidents occur during this period, so the number of people who need blood transfusions increases. We are devising strategies to respond to such emergencies. We thank the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation for carrying out this charitable effort to save lives.
Osnei Okumoto, Director of the Blood Center of Brasilia, Brazil
Blood is precious. All animals rely on blood to sustain their lives. Without blood, life ends. Thank you so much for participating in this precious blood sharing event.
Go WeLoveU Blood Drive!
Shin Hyeon-sang, (Former) Director of School District Office, Jeonju, Korea
Blood is always scarce in winter. Even before COVID-19, the winter season has been always difficult. Currently, we have the amount of blood that may last only three days for blood transfusions. It is a great help since the blood drive was held at the perfect time in cold weather. Thank you.
Moon Won-il, Head of Blood Center, Jeonbuk, Korea
Many people in Cambodia suffer from blood shortages. The WeLoveU members helped us, and we are so happy today. We love you!
Sok Po, Director of National Blood Transfusion Center from Department of Health, Cambodia
The WeLoveU will continue to carry out blood drives with the goal of getting all countries to participate in blood donation, so that life-saving activities will be carried out more safely in the future.
Bringing Laughter Back to Children With Cancer in Fiji
The WeLoveU received good news from WOWS Kids Fiji, a registered charitable organization that supports children with cancer in Fiji. They sent the pictures of children and their families with big smiles on their faces, saying that many children who received medical expenses from the WeLoveU became healthier.
WOWS Kids Fiji [WKF] gives thanks to the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation. This is a picture of the children and their families who received your help and the directors of the Wows Kids Fiji. The children are now healthy enough to participate in the Fiji Children’s Cancer Awareness Month celebration, and they are receiving regular treatment every month.”
– WOWS Kids Fiji
In May 2020, Zahng Gil-jah, the Chairwoman of the WeLoveU promised Fiji Ambassador Lalabalavu to provide 10 million KRW (Approx. 10,000 USD) for medical expenses for children with cancer. The funds were immediately delivered to Wows Kids Fiji and used to treat 74 children (from 8 month old to 17 years old) at Colonial War Memorial Hospital and Lautoka Hospital for about two years until August 31, 2022.
The patient’s families greeted the WeLoveU and said, “Thank you very much. You relieved our worries about medical expenses.” The members of the WOWS Kids Fiji also expressed their gratitude to the WeLoveU for their help, hoping that the support would be continued.
Viola Lesi, then the Team Leader of WOWS Kids Fiji
“I’m grateful to you for extending your hands to people in the countries that need help. I hope that the WeLoveU’s wonderful activities will change the world in trouble.”
Viola Lesi, then the Team Leader of WOWS Kids Fiji
“The number of organizations that provided funds to WOWS Kids Fiji has decreased, and so it became more difficult to help children. We sincerely ask for your constant support.”
Mere Lutuciri Williams, Team Leader of WOWS Kids Fiji
Mere Lutuciri Williams, Team Leader of WOWS Kids Fiji
“The number of organizations that provided funds to WOWS Kids Fiji has decreased, and so it became more difficult to help children. We sincerely ask for your constant support.”
Children’s laughter makes the world brighter and happier. The WeLoveU will continue to support the treatment for children in various ways until all the children in the world can smile brightly.