The Gwangmyeong branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group and the Gwangmyeong Association for Persons with Disabilities took part in an outing to Gwangmyeong Cave, a tourist attraction in Gwangmyeong city, to welcome the warm spring.

From 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on March 28th, 16 members of the Gwangmyeong branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group conducted its 'Visiting Health Doctor' programme for 10 members of the Gwangmyeong Association for Persons with Disabilities.

The outing provided the beneficiaries, who have partaken in very little outdoor activity due to the protracted COVID-19 pandemic, with relief for mind and body, and it provided an opportunity to establish a support structure for increased communication, understanding and the overcoming of physical and mental barriers.

The 'Visiting Health Doctor' programme 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. 

Ji Sang-ho, deputy director of Shincheonji Volunteer Group’s Gwangmyeong Branch, said, “I am very glad that the beneficiaries could feel rejuvenated through today’s visit and I am grateful to the Gwangmyeong Association for Persons with Disabilities for allowing us this great opportunity, and to the incumbent Mayor of Gwangmyeong Seung-won Park and the former mayor for creating and managing this wonderful tourist attraction. We will endeavour to increase the frequency of this kind of event in the future.”

Jeong-mi Baek, a member of the Gwangmyeong Branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group, who participated in the event that day, said, “While participating in the outing, I was able to engage in discussion with the beneficiaries and really enjoy myself. I learned about the kinds of difficulties people with disabilities are experiencing on a daily basis, and I was very glad to know that such outdoor experiences can give relief to mind and body. I am grateful for this experience in many ways.”

A beneficiary of the Gwangmyeong Association for Persons with Disabilities who participated in the outing said, “It was really refreshing to come out to Gwangmyeong Cave and enjoy the fresh air. I hope to experience more events like this in the future. From the former mayor to the current mayor of Gwangmyeong, it seems that a lot of effort has been put into making Gwangmyeong Cave a local attraction. Because of limited mobility, I was unable to visit at my own volition, even though I knew it was a great place, so I was really able to enjoy it thanks to the volunteers.”