On Oct. 5, HUMAN IN LOVE and Korea Blind Union (hereinafter the “KBU”) Gwanak-gu Branch Office jointly hosted and supervised the “2015 Healthy Hiking of the Visually Impaired at Gwanak-gu Barrier-free Forest Trail.”
[ Booklets in braille for the visually impaired and general booklets for people without disabilities ]
The forest trail hiking event was hosted to improve the health of the visually handicapped who have insufficient opportunities to engage in physical activities. A total of about 170 people participated in the event, including some 80 visually impaired people in Gwanak-gu and their assistants, volunteers and guides. Also, HUMAN IN LOVE Chairman Kim, Young Hoo; Gwanak-gu Mayor Yoo, Jong-pil; Gwanak-gu Council Chairperson Lee, Sung-sim; Head of KBU Gwanak-gu Branch Office Kim, Jang-hwan participated as guests.
[ The visually impaired, assistants and volunteers are watching a performance before the forest trail hiking ]
Performances by the honorary ambassador of HUMAN IN LOVE, singer Lee, Min-seok’s band “Absolute Pitch,” Gwanak-gu voluntary group consisted of entertainers as well as performance of Gyeonggi folksong marked the beginning of the event. Afterwards, the visually impaired and people without disabilities walked the gentle barrier-free forest trail of Mt. Gwanak for about 90 minutes, enjoying the surrounding nature.
[ HUMAN IN LOVE honorary ambassador singer Lee Min-seok’s band “Absolute Pitch” is performing on stage ]
Han, Mun-seong, a 63-year-old visually impaired man living in Sinlim-dong, Gwanak-gu, who participated in the event, said that he enjoyed the hiking even though he has problems with his sight and legs since the forest trail was gradual. He added that it would be great if this kind of event can be hosted more frequently.
[ A visually impaired elderly woman is hiking the barrier-free forest trail with a volunteer ]
HUMAN IN LOVE Chairman Kim, Young-hoo said in his congratulatory remarks, “It is said that awareness of the disabled has been improved. However, I think we still have a long way to go. HUMAN IN LOVE will exert its utmost efforts to make a happier world where the disabled and the non-disabled can live in harmony by constantly carrying out projects that can improve awareness on the disabled and providing various welfare support.”
[ HUMAN IN LOVE Conducts Healthy Hiking with the Visually Impaired ]
Meanwhile, HUMAN IN LOVE has been providing fund for financially-strapped families living with mentally disabled child or teenager to stabilize their livelihood. Also, HUMAN IN LOVE has been promoting physical health and mental stability of the disabled by providing rice and side dishes and cultural and physical activities to severely sight impaired people living alone.