As population ageing accelerates in Yangpyeong District, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangwon Province, South Korea ,the Philip Tribe of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, is promoting accessible activities to help seniors maintain healthy, active lifestyles.

Through its Yangpyeong and Gangneung churches, the Philip Tribe is encouraging older adults to take an active role in their health through gentle exercise, social activities, and health-awareness initiatives.

Yangpyeong Church holds five-minute exercise sessions before Sunday and Wednesday worship services, helping seniors incorporate gentle movement into their routines.

Young-sook Kim (pseudonym, 72) said, “I always think I should exercise, but it is not easy to do so alone at home. Exercising together when we come to worship makes it easier and more enjoyable.”

“It’s rewarding to use my experience to help others as I grow older, and exercising together gives me more energy and vitality,” Lee said.

Soon-ja Park (69), a participant, added, “I look forward to visiting the bowling alley because I can exercise, laugh, and talk with others.”

The activity allows seniors to build friendships while sharing their abilities and taking on meaningful roles within the community.

In Gangneung, the local church provides opportunities for seniors to learn more about their physical condition through activities such as pulse wave examinations.

Jeong-suk Choi (73) reflected, “After getting a check-up, I realised I should pay more attention to my health and began re-evaluating my daily habits.”

A church representative emphasised, “Health management begins with taking an interest in your own body.”

Although the initiatives differ, they share a common goal: empowering seniors to manage their health, remain socially connected, and support one another.

A Philip Tribe representative said, “It is important for our members not only to receive care but also to take responsibility for their own health and share their experiences and talents with one another.”

Through simple, sustainable activities, the Philip Tribe aims to help seniors lead healthier, more active, and fulfilling lives.

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At 77, Nam-sun Kim has a remarkable story of perseverance and faith. After losing her parents at a young age, she never had the opportunity to learn Hangul, the Korean alphabet. For decades, everyday tasks such as reading street signs, checking bus routes, and completing official documents required help from others. Even at church, she relied on someone beside her to find Bible verses.

At age 60, she developed a heartfelt desire: “I want to read and understand the Bible with my own eyes.”

Kim began studying at the Zion Christian Mission Center through her child, who attends Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Gwangju Church. Inspired by the systematic Bible lessons, she attended lectures morning and evening, listening to cassette recordings and repeatedly reading Scripture aloud.

Using the Book of Revelation as her starting point, she gradually learned to recognise letters, understand words, and read sentences.

“As each letter became clearer and the words began to make sense, it felt like a miracle,” Kim recalled. “Worship and reading the Bible became experiences filled with tremendous joy.”

Learning to read transformed Kim’s daily life and spiritual journey. She can now read street signs, check bus destinations, and handle administrative tasks more independently.

She is also handwriting the entire Book of Revelation and preparing for the church’s Level 1 “Heavenly Kingdom Exam” in November 2026.

Initially, her other children were concerned about her joining Shincheonji Church. However, witnessing her progress in reading, writing, and studying Scripture helped ease their concerns and inspired their admiration and support.

Reflecting on her journey, Kim encourages others not to let age prevent them from pursuing new goals.

On Hangul Day, Kim’s story serves as a powerful reminder that it is never too late to learn. Through determination and Bible study, she has gained greater independence, strengthened her faith, and discovered the joy of reading Scripture for herself.

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The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Songha Branch held a tick prevention campaign on the 11th at Bongseon Neighbourhood Park in Gwangju, raising awareness of scrub typhus and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) ahead of the autumn outdoor activity season.

Volunteers shared prevention tips through mobile quizzes and Q&A sessions, advising citizens to wear long sleeves and trousers, use repellent, avoid direct contact with grass, and shower and wash clothes after outdoor activities. They also distributed prevention leaflets and repellent sticks.

The campaign highlighted symptoms such as fever and rashes, urging citizens to seek medical attention if they develop. A participant who had previously found ticks on their arm and collar while hiking thanked volunteers for their advice and repellent.

Jin Park, president of the International Association of Artists with Disabilities, added to the event with a caricature drawing booth, making health information more accessible through interactive activities.

A Songha Branch official said, “Prevention is the best approach to tick-borne diseases in the autumn,” adding, “We will continue various volunteer activities and campaigns to protect the health and safety of local citizens.”

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The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Yeonsu Branch held a wildfire prevention campaign at Cheongnyong Park in Yeonsu District, Incheon, on the 11th, raising awareness among hikers and local residents as the dry autumn season approaches.

As part of its “Let Nature Flourish” environmental initiative, 17 volunteers distributed wildfire prevention information and collected litter throughout the park. Posters and placards highlighted common causes of wildfires, safety guidelines, evacuation procedures, and precautions such as not discarding cigarette butts or carrying flammable materials while hiking.

The campaign also featured a “Forest Fire Prevention OX Quiz” to help citizens test their knowledge, with eco-friendly seed pencils given to participants.

Seong-eun Choi (54), a local resident, said, “Although I hike often, I wasn't familiar with the specific guidelines for preventing forest fires. This campaign has made me more aware of the dangers.”

Yong-wook Moon, vice branch manager, said, “We organised this campaign to help citizens learn wildfire prevention guidelines in an accessible way as the risk of wildfires increases during this season.” He added, “We will continue our prevention and cleanup activities to help keep the local community safe and protect the environment.”

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The Gwangju Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group collected 800 litres of waste during a cleanup at Malbau Market on the 9th, as part of its “Let Nature Be Green” initiative.

Volunteers removed illegally dumped rubbish, promoted proper waste disposal and held a “Hello Campaign”, engaging 200 citizens to hear merchants’ concerns and encourage more considerate customer interactions.

Merchant Jin-young Kim said, “There is a lot of illegally dumped waste, and few people take responsibility for it.”

Another merchant, Tae-kyu Lee, shared, “If customers were a little more polite in their expressions, I think I would feel much better doing business.”

A branch representative said, “We hope that Malbau Market will become a more pleasant space through continuous environmental cleanup activities and the promotion of proper waste disposal practices,” adding that the branch would continue listening to local merchants and citizens.

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The Bucheon Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group provided free wallpapering services for a resident with a disability in Ojeong-dong, Bucheon, on the 12th, helping create a cleaner, more comfortable home.

Four volunteers, including one with 15 years of professional wallpapering experience, removed old, mouldy wallpaper, prepared the walls and installed new wallpaper before restoring the furniture and cleaning the home.

Ki-ho Kim, chairman of the Bucheon Branch of the Gyeonggi Provincial Association for the Welfare of the Disabled, said, “For over three years, the Bucheon Branch has continuously worked to improve living conditions for elderly residents, building a relationship based on trust,” providing services such as insulation installation, insect screen replacement and bathroom faucet installation.

He added, “To protect the health of vulnerable elderly people, creating a clean and comfortable living environment must be a priority.”

Nam-soon Kim, vice branch manager of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Bucheon Branch, said, “Improving living environments goes beyond transforming spaces; it helps restore healthy, comfortable daily lives for marginalised members of the community.”

Meanwhile, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Bucheon Branch plans to strengthen its cooperation with local governments and community organisations to provide ongoing support to neighbours in need.

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The volunteers displayed safety notices explaining wildfire causes, prevention measures and emergency responses. They also reminded hikers and park visitors not to discard cigarette butts or carry flammable materials, hosted an OX quiz on fire prevention, distributed seed pencils and collected litter around the park.

Seong-eun Choi, 54, who took part, said, “I climb mountains often, but I didn’t know the proper rules for preventing forest fires. Through this campaign, I realised that I need to be more careful.”

Yong-wook Moon, vice branch manager of the Yeonsu Branch, said, “We have organised a campaign to help citizens easily understand wildfire prevention guidelines and practise them in their daily lives.” He added, “We will continue our prevention activities in line with the high risk of wildfires.”

Around 200 volunteers participated in the two-and-a-half-hour cleanup, collecting litter to create a cleaner environment for festivalgoers. Gongju City Hall supplied 50 75-litre waste bags, while Ryu Young-ho, president of the Chungnam Leaders Volunteer Group, also joined the effort.

Festival officials expressed their appreciation, with one remarking, “It was a difficult situation because there was so much litter, so we are grateful for your support.”

A Gongju branch representative said, “We hope this activity helped citizens and tourists visiting the festival grounds enjoy the festival in a more pleasant environment,” adding, “We will continue to carry out volunteer activities needed by the community.”

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The Shincheonji Volunteer Group Chungju Branch held a samgyetang-sharing and environmental cleanup event on 18th October at a lawn bowls venue in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. The event was part of its Little Finger programme, which promotes inclusion and supports people with disabilities.

Volunteers provided warm bowls of traditional Korean chicken soup to help athletes replenish their energy ahead of their tournament, offering encouragement: “We are rooting for you all to achieve good results.”

After the meal, volunteers cleaned the lawn bowls office, stadium perimeter, entrances and athletes’ walkways, creating a cleaner and more welcoming environment.

Sang-yong Lee, 62, president of the Chungbuk Federation for Disabled Lawn Bowls, expressed his gratitude: “I am grateful for the delicious samgyetang that helped nourish our bodies.” He also shared Jeju tangerines with volunteers in appreciation of their continued kindness and expressed hope for further collaboration.

Volunteer Yang-ji Lee, 53, said, “It was meaningful to provide warm meals and encouragement to the athletes ahead of their competition. I hope they achieve results that reflect all the effort and dedication they have put in.”

A branch representative added, “It is especially meaningful to support athletes with whom we have built relationships over many years. We will continue sharing kindness and volunteering to support the lawn bowls community.”

The Chungju branch has supported athletes with disabilities since 2016, regularly organising volunteer activities around their annual tournaments. Through Little Finger, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group seeks to break down barriers between people with and without disabilities and foster greater understanding, mutual respect and inclusion.

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Thirty-seven volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group in Fiji visited the Golden Age Home in Lautoka last Saturday, 10th October, to celebrate Fiji Day with elderly residents.

The visit featured singing, action songs, simple massages and compound cleaning, bringing joy and companionship to the residents.

Volunteer Melamy, who travelled from Australia, drew on her experience caring for her elderly parents, stressing the importance of love and companionship through carrying out activities that motivates and warms hearts.

Volunteer representative Rita, from Matawalu Village, urged communities to care for elderly people regardless of race or background.

“Everyone should care for the elderly, as some live with disabilities or visual impairments and need help with daily activities,” she said.

Golden Age Home staff thanked the volunteers for their time and for bringing happiness to the residents.

Source: https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/shincheonji-volunteers-bring-fiji-day-joy-to-elderly-residents/

In September, ahead of Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group visited national veterans in Wonju, bringing handmade traditional holiday foods and warm companionship.

From 3rd to 22nd September, the group organised 11 volunteer events across 10 regions, with 202 volunteers reaching out to 2498 people, including veterans, bereaved families, and families of fallen service members.

In Seosan, Cheongju, Sokcho, and Wonju, volunteers delivered traditional Chuseok foods and nutritious meals to 102 veterans, including Korean War veterans and wounded service members. They also spent time listening to the veterans’ stories and checking on their well-being.

In Tongyeong, 15 Korean War veterans were treated to dinner and presented with commemorative appreciation frames. In East Busan, seven veterans received formal longevity portraits to honour their service and preserve their memories.

One veteran expressed gratitude, saying:

Volunteers in Cheongju and Goyang provided haircuts and scalp care at home for 14 veterans with limited mobility. In Goyang, they also delivered 60kg of rice and 10 boxes of health drinks donated by local residents.

In Dongjak, young volunteers visited 10 veterans, offering massages, therapeutic taping, and games of Baduk (Go). These interactions gave younger generations an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of sacrifice and service.

At Daejeon National Cemetery, volunteers cleaned 2300 headstones in the 3rd Soldier Burial Ground and collected 75 litres of waste from the surrounding area.

In Asan, volunteers collected 2000 litres of waste and fallen leaves around the Yesan Chunghryeongsa Shrine and Vietnam War Veterans Memorial. They also presented 50 Korean War veterans with handmade traditional snacks and keyrings featuring the Korean flag and the Mugunghwa, South Korea’s national flower.

One veteran remarked:

Through meal deliveries, personal care, companionship, and cemetery cleanups, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group sought to express gratitude to national heroes and their families. These activities reflected a simple message: their sacrifices have not been forgotten.

Venerable Jigwang, head of the Korean Buddhist Munsu Order, held a solo protest on the afternoon of 28th September, calling for Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee’s release on bail for medical treatment.

From 5:30 to 6:10pm., the monk held a sign reading, “One day of treatment, re-imprisonment. This worsens the condition of a very elderly 95-year-old. Please allow him to receive treatment on bail as soon as possible instead of a temporary prescription.”

Venerable Jigwang said he joined the protest out of concern for Chairman Lee’s health and human rights, emphasising, “He should not be treated as if he is guilty when his guilt has not been confirmed.” He added that he hoped Chairman Lee would be released promptly to prevent his health from deteriorating further in detention.

Addressing the relationship between religion and politics, Jigwang stated, “For a peaceful world, politics must not suppress any religion, and laws and principles must be applied correctly and fairly to everyone.” He stressed, “No one should suffer injustice.”

During the protest, some passing motorists slowed to read the signs. Jigwang said, “I saw cars stop for a while after looking at the picket signs before driving away,” expressing hope that the message would reach the court and help secure Chairman Lee’s release.

Drawing on Buddhist teachings, he called for reconciliation and sound judgment over confrontation. “Just as it teaches not to carelessly criticixe or hate others, I earnestly prayed while reciting the Thousand-Hand Sutra that all matters would be resolved correctly,” he said.

The protest ended without significant incident. Jigwang reiterated that Chairman Lee’s health and human rights, along with fair judicial procedures, should be considered beyond religious divisions.

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On the morning of 29th September, Venerable Doan, abbot of Yongheungsa Temple of the Korean Buddhist Ilgwang Jogye Order, held a one-person protest outside the Seoul Central District Court, calling for medical bail for Shincheonji Chairman ManHee Lee in consideration of his advanced age and health.

His placard read: “95-year-old Chairman ManHee Lee is suffering from a fractured spine. I earnestly appeal for medical bail.”

Venerable Doan explained that seeing other monks participate in similar protests had inspired him to join. “Although I am suffering from shingles, I received nutritional support yesterday and came here to contribute, even in a small way, to the speedy release of Chairman Lee,” he said.

Despite loud protests nearby and his own discomfort, he remained composed by reciting the Thousand Hands Sutra and the Heart Sutra.

“My only wish was for the Chairman to be released and return as soon as possible,” he said, explaining that he prayed for his speedy release and medical bail.

Although standing for an hour was physically challenging, Venerable Doan stayed until the end. “Although it is physically difficult, I believe it is my duty to call for the speedy release of the Chairman,” he said.

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The camera shutter clicked as an elderly participant posed for a portrait. A volunteer checked the image on the screen, capturing a moment that would soon become a lasting keepsake.

The scene unfolded at the Jecheon Veterans Hall in North Chungcheong Province on the 23rd of last month, shortly before the Chuseok holiday. Around 50 members of veterans’ organisations took part in Donghaeng ('Companion'), a regular volunteer initiative organised by the Jecheon Branch of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group.

Volunteers provided hairdressing and grooming services before photographing participants individually. Each portrait was printed and framed, offering the veterans a special memento to cherish.

As participants admired their new hairstyles and portraits, laughter and conversation filled the venue. Some proudly showed their photographs to friends, while others gazed at their framed pictures with emotion.

Sang-gu Lee, chairman of the Jecheon branch of the Defoliant Veterans Association, expressed his gratitude, saying, “They even styled my hair and took a photo for me to keep in a frame. It feels like receiving a special gift.” He added, “I’m happy to have a memory I can treasure for a long time.”

The event was held as part of a support project by the Chungcheongbuk-do Comprehensive Volunteer Center and forms part of the Jecheon Branch’s monthly Donghaeng programme, which provides grooming services, hands-on activities, and opportunities for fellowship with veterans.

A representative of the Jecheon Branch said, “We prepared this activity in the hope that each photograph, though just a single image, would become a precious memory and a meaningful expression of our gratitude.”

As participants left the Veterans Hall with their framed portraits, they took home more than photographs—they carried reminders of a day shaped by appreciation, companionship, and care.

Meanwhile, the Jecheon Branch plans to continue its regular visits, offering seasonal activities, grooming services, and other community programmes for veterans.

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Calls are growing for the court to expedite its decision on the bail request of ManHee Lee, 95, chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus, who was arrested and indicted on charges of violating the Political Parties Act. More than two months have passed since he applied for bail, yet the court has not issued a ruling. Advocates argue that his health and human rights should be taken into account, particularly as his detention has been suspended six times due to medical concerns.

They contend that, rather than repeatedly granting temporary releases for medical treatment, the court should consider bail as a way to provide more stable access to care while allowing the trial to proceed.

According to legal sources, 102 days had passed since Chairman Lee’s arrest on June 24. He applied for bail on 4th August, and a hearing was held on 21st August, but no decision had been announced at the time of reporting.

Chairman Lee has reportedly received six suspensions of detention for health-related reasons. He is currently receiving hospital treatment under a temporary release arrangement, which was scheduled to remain in effect until 6pm on 7th October. Recently, a group of external medical specialists reportedly submitted a joint opinion to the court stating that “Chairman ManHee Lee needs treatment at a specialised medical institution through immediate bail or conditional release.”

Article 55 of the Rules of Criminal Procedure stipulates that, “unless there are special circumstances, the court shall make a decision on the matter within seven days from the date of receiving a request for bail or cancellation of detention.”

Kyung-sik Oh, a professor in the Department of Law at Kangwon National University, described the prolonged delay in deciding the bail request as “an unusual case” and called for a swift ruling that considers Chairman Lee’s health and circumstances.

“If there is no risk of flight and detention has been suspended repeatedly for medical treatment, it seems entirely feasible to grant bail,” Professor Oh said. He also highlighted the human rights and administrative challenges of detaining and arranging medical care for elderly inmates.

Sang-kyum Kim, an emeritus professor at Dongguk University’s Graduate School of Law, also urged the court to decide promptly, citing Chairman Lee’s advanced age and chronic illness. Referring to the constitutional right to a speedy trial, he emphasised that judicial discretion must remain within legal limits and that the reasons for bail decisions should be clearly explained.

In response to questions about the delay, an official from the Seoul Central District Court explained, “In practice, there are cases in which a decision is made a considerable amount of time after the bail hearing.”

Meanwhile, on 28th September, the 27th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court, presided over by Judge In-seong Woo, held a second preliminary hearing in the case involving Chairman Lee and others. The defendants face charges including violations of the Political Parties Act and obstruction of business, relating to allegations that believers were pressured to join the People Power Party.

During the hearing, Chairman Lee’s defence attorney stated, “We admit to all charges regarding party membership but deny all charges regarding coercion.” The defence acknowledged the membership-related facts while maintaining that no organised coercion had taken place.

The court scheduled the next preliminary hearing for 6th October. Future proceedings are expected to address the main case, whether an assessment of the defendant’s cognitive abilities is necessary, and whether the case should be consolidated with a separate indictment.

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On the afternoon of 30th September, Venerable Myeongbeop, abbot of Seokbulsa Temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, held a one-person protest outside the Seoul District Court, calling for medical bail for 95-year-old Chairman ManHee Lee, a recipient of national merit recognition.

Venerable Myeongbeop explained his reasons for participating, saying, “I learned through the media that a 95-year-old religious leader was being detained and investigated.” He added, “Given that there appears to be no risk of flight or evidence destruction, I joined the protest in the hope that bail would be granted to protect his life.”

The monk also shared his views on society’s attitudes towards religion, emphasising that people should not be judged negatively simply because they belong to a particular religious group. Addressing the controversy surrounding Shincheonji, he stressed the importance of respecting religious freedom and individual convictions.

“There is freedom of religion, and everyone should be able to believe according to their own convictions,” he said. “I believe no one should face discrimination on the grounds of religion.”

Venerable Myeongbeop further emphasised the need to consider the age and health of elderly defendants when making decisions about detention and trial proceedings.

“If detention appears inappropriate given the legal limits and circumstances, I believe the investigation should proceed with immediate consideration of bail and home confinement,” he said. “Since home confinement itself imposes significant restrictions, I believe it can also serve the purpose of restricting a person's movements.”

He reiterated that the law must be applied consistently and fairly, noting that particular care is needed when deciding whether elderly individuals with serious physical limitations must remain in prison.

“If there is no risk of flight or evidence destruction, alternatives such as hospital treatment or home confinement are available,” he said. “Is it truly necessary to keep a physically incapacitated elderly person in prison?”

He also appealed to the court to avoid measures that could be perceived as excessive or oppressive. “I believe we should not create the impression of oppression through excessive detention,” he said. “I sincerely hope the court will grant medical bail, taking the elderly defendant’s life and health into consideration.”

The protest signs highlighted Chairman Lee’s age of 95, his status as a Korean War veteran, and his reported diagnosis of a spinal fracture. One read: “At 95, Chairman ManHee Lee has been diagnosed with a spinal fracture. Hospital treatment is now more urgent than detention. We sincerely appeal for bail to be granted.”

Explaining his reasons for joining the protest, Pastor Park said, “I was saddened to hear that a 95-year-old man was in detention and that his health had deteriorated.” He added, “I came here hoping that the decision on medical bail would be made after careful consideration of his current health condition.”

Pastor Park also reflected on his changing perspective towards Shincheonji. “In the past, I, too, viewed Shincheonji negatively simply because of its affiliation,” he said. “However, I came to realise that, as a person of faith, we should approach others with love and respect rather than prejudice.”

He continued, “Just as the Bible teaches us to love our enemies, I believe we should judge members of society based on facts and principles rather than stigmatising them.”

Pastor Tae-soo Park is holding a one-person protest in front of the Seoul District Court on the morning of 1st October, holding a picket sign urging the granting of bail and hospital treatment for Shincheonji Church of Jesus Chairman ManHee Lee.

Addressing the broader issue of elderly defendants in detention, Pastor Park emphasised the importance of humanitarian considerations during legal proceedings. “The nature of the charges and legal responsibility must be assessed according to the law, but a person’s age, health condition, and need for medical treatment must also be fully considered,” he said. “When someone’s health has significantly deteriorated, appropriate measures should be considered to ensure access to necessary treatment.”

Pastor Park also called on the court and society to uphold fairness and impartiality. “The law must be applied equally to everyone,” he stressed. “Public opinion or religious prejudice must not take precedence over judicial judgment.”

He added that respecting both religious freedom and the principles of the rule of law could help reduce social conflict and foster greater harmony and peace.

The one-person protest aimed to draw attention to Chairman Lee’s detention status and appeal for access to medical care in light of his advanced age and reported health concerns. The court’s decision on bail will depend on its assessment of the applicable legal requirements, his health condition, and other relevant circumstances.

Source: vo.la/CDpMDU0

— Local Resident, Songha-dong, Nam District, Gwangju

In March 2024, a quiet alley corner in Songha-dong, Nam District, Gwangju, faced a persistent problem with illegal dumping and discarded waste.

Rather than relying on conventional warning signs, volunteers from the Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Songha Branch took a creative, hands-on approach. They cleared the accumulated rubbish and transformed discarded tires into colorful, hand-painted flower planters. What began as a small effort to clean up a single alley corner soon blossomed into a wider community greening initiative.

The transformation quickly caught the attention of local residents and village leaders, who began requesting similar mini gardens for their own neighbourhoods. Their enthusiasm helped extend the project beyond Gwangju into surrounding communities

Expanding the Initiative: From March 2024 through September 2026, the Songha Branch completed 20 upcycling garden projects, repurposing more than 350 discarded tires into colourful planters.

Partnership in Hwasun-gun: Volunteers established gardens in Maengri Village in Baeka-myeon and along Gyedong-gil. At Oseong 2nd Apartments, the Hwasun-gun County Office supported the project by providing bricks and fresh flowers for garden wall improvements.

Bringing Greenery to Naju City: In February 2025, volunteers introduced mini gardens to unused spaces in Uksil Village, Bonghwang-myeon, revitalising the local streetscape and making the neighbourhood more welcoming.

Each garden reflects careful preparation and a commitment to sustainability. Volunteers select suitable discarded tires, clean and treat their surfaces, paint them in vibrant colors, and fill them with nutrient-rich soil before planting flowers and young trees. Through this process, materials once considered waste are given a new purpose.

The project’s impact extends beyond beautification, encouraging residents and local organizations to take an active role in maintaining their shared spaces.

Ongoing Care at Sansu Market: Following the installation of a garden at Sansu Market, the local merchant association welcomed the refreshed market entrance and agreed to help water and maintain the plants alongside workers from a local senior employment programme.

Building Intergenerational Connections: The Songha Branch also developed the gardens into spaces for social interaction, organising gardening workshops and community gatherings that brought local older residents together.

Reflecting on the initiative’s development, a representative of the Songha Branch explained:

What began as a small cleanup project in Songha-dong has grown into a collaborative effort to create cleaner, greener, and more welcoming neighbourhoods. By combining upcycling, volunteer service, and local participation, the Songha Branch is demonstrating how simple ideas can inspire lasting change—one garden and one community at a time.