Numerous media outlets in South Korea have been reporting on the many activities conducted by Shincheonji Volunteer Group for nationwide community development, particularly during the emerging 'post-COVID' era. Most recently, from the 15th-25th May, Shincheonji Volunteer Group Wonju Branch carried out its 'Wall Story' service around Gimi Manse Park, Hoengseong district, Gangwon province.

Mr. Seo, the owner of the wall, smiled while looking at the painting, saying, “The mural is so beautiful.”

Ms. Seo said, “I applied (for the Wall Story service) because I wanted a depiction of the family's dream garden in order to encourage my father who is undergoing a sudden illness.”

He continued, “When my father gets better and returns home, I think he'll be very happy to see the mural.”

Shincheonji Volunteer Group's 'Wall Story' is an urban regeneration project that restores dilapidated murals through drawings and paintings, depicting characteristics specific to local regions and the stories of local residents on murals. The themes and pictures designed on the murals are decorated at the request of the beneficiaries.

This year, the 10th since its inception, under the theme of 'One', the Wall Story project breaks down the barriers of societal conflict found within class, gender, religion, and politics, and unites minds for community development.

Starting with cleaning the wall on the 15th, the Wonju branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group carried out painting, sketching, and colouring work until the 24th, and invited guests and local residents to view the completed work. About 90 volunteers participated on-site over the week.

Above all, the volunteers delivered a message of encouragement to the father of the wall owner for a swift recovery of health.

The mural, filled with colour, was designed on the concept of The Wizard of Oz, depicting different characters moving forward in search of hope.

In particular, the flowering tree on the mural expresses a reliable father, the characters in the fairy tale depict six siblings, and the castle with a rainbow expresses the mural owner's wish for a moving story that bears good fruit after an arduous journey.

A resident of Hoengseong said, “I came because I'd heard about the mural painting initiative, but the village now feels a whole lot brighter. I'm grateful that they've come here and volunteered. They really worked hard.”

A volunteer who participated in the initiative said, “I'm grateful I was able to draw a pretty picture on the wall, even though my skills were lacking, and it was rewarding to be able to do so in the name of Shincheonji Volunteer Group as the beneficiaries really liked it.”

Meanwhile, the Wonju branch of Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to provide various community services, including 'Visiting Health Doctor' for the medically vulnerable, the 'Green Nature' environmental clean-up service, and 'Love Your Country, Peace Sharing' for the common realisation of peace.