Shincheonji Volunteer Group Dongbu Branch (Manager Pilseong Park) went on a healing trip to Ulsan Ganjeolgot with members of the Busan Association of Disabled Persons' Hiking Club. Ganjeolgot is a well-known sunrise spot for being the first spot where the sun rises in mainland Korea.

On the 25th, about 60 volunteers of the Dongbu branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group and 50 members of the Busan Association of Disabled Persons' Hiking Club took part in the 'Five Senses Tour' project of the 'Visiting Health Doctor' programme, which marks its ninth year this year and provides free medical services to foreign workers, who are often caught in the medical 'blind spot', the elderly living alone, and the underprivileged. 

The 'Five Senses Tour' sub-programme is purposed to remove the societal barriers between people with disabilities and people without and establishes a support structure for increased communication, understanding and the overcoming of physical and mental barriers.

Participants found healing for their five senses through activities held at Busan Nakdong River, Bukhang and Gwangan Bridge, stretching and disc golf practice and a photo tour of Ganjeolgot.

An official from the Busan Association of Disabled Persons' Hiking Club expressed his gratitude to Shincheonji Volunteer Group, saying that the trip provided relief for body and mind by coming out of the daily grind of life, which has been aggravated by the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and that he also learned about a new sport called disc golf.

Member A, who participated in the trip, said, “I haven’t properly felt spring in years, but this year, thanks to the volunteer group, I could really enjoy it with friends. I loved the smell of the spring air.”

Another member, Mr. B, expressed his gratitude, saying, “Many of us are in wheelchairs and have limited mobility, so we're very grateful to Shincheonji Volunteer Group for being our hands and feet and joyfully sharing meaningful conversations with us.”

Yeong-man Lim, deputy director of Shincheonji Volunteer Group's Busan East Branch, said, “This experience has been deeply engraved on my heart; it was a joyful time where we could play disc golf together.”

Meanwhile, the Busan East Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to conduct various activities through programmes and projects including 'Visiting Health Doctor', 'Wall Story' for the rejuvenation of dilapidated murals, 'Love for Country and Peace-Sharing' for the common hope of peace, 'Little Finger' for the realisation of a happier society, 'Beautiful Seniors!' to provide cultural activities for seniors' overall wellbeing, 'Pink Cloth' to prepare and deliver homemade meals to the seniors living alone, and 'More the Better' for the promotion of emotional wellbeing through the sharing of companion plants.

Source: https://www.newscj.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=3013268