Bum-Jin Jung, a 17 year-old boy with Grade 1 Intellectual Disability likes to spend time outdoor with people. But his grandmother who is his only family member and suffering from chronic leg pain can’t even take him out to a front yard. Bum-Jin secretly left his house and went missing for days and even for months multiple times. There was even an incident where he went missing for several months and only to be discovered as a result of someone reporting.
He was bullied on the street which left physical and emotional scars. He didn’t have a chance to drink water or eat food for many days while he was missing. His grandmother can never forget how desperate she was when Bum-Jin was missing. There are many children and adolescents with disability who do not have an opportunity to go outing due to financial hardships and disabilities. They spend most of their time in home, special school, or day care center.
Through ‘DIDIMDOL’ program, HUMAN IN LOVE supports poor children and adolescents with disabilities. And we decided to take them on a train trip with the staffs of KORAIL Yongsan Station. The students and families visited Gyunggang Station and Namiseom to enjoy beautiful nature.Total of 50 people including children and adolescents with Grade 1~3 intellectual disabilities, their families, volunteers, and staffs of KORAIL Yongsan Station.
[Bum-Jin on a rail bike with his grandmother]
The families had a great time riding rail bike near Bukhan Riverside. Bum-Jin also had a good time with his grandmother and the assistant station manager of Yongsan Station.
[Amazing treasure hunt for kids ]
After riding rail bike, the families went to Namiseom and had lunch box while enjoying nature’s beauty. After they finished lunch, it was time for the treasure hunt prepared by HUMAN IN LOVE. The prize was high quality cosmetic products which were supported by CNP Cosmetics Inc. The families spent time walking the trail while enjoying beautiful scenery and participating in various programs and exhibitions.
[A disabled student was celebrating his father’s birthday. His father couldn’t join the event but everyone celebrated his birthday for him.]
The volunteers including employees of Yongsan Station were designated to each family to support disabled children throughout the trip. The trip enhanced the understanding of the volunteers of the disable children and the families.
[Volunteers of HUMAN IN LOVE]
[The volunteers. (From left) The Assistant Manager of KORAIL, Dong-Nam SHIN, The Assistant Station Manager, Byung-Goo JUNG, The Assistant Manager, Bong-Goo SHIM]
A volunteer, Kyung-Soo SUN (26) said, “I learned about great potential of the disabled children and how much they love their families. It was a very meaningful experience for me and I definitely want to volunteer again.”
[With family members and volunteers (Photographed by: ‘Rhythm of Hope’, a talent donation group of Yonsei University)]
An incorporated association, HUMAN IN LOVE carries out a program called ‘DIDIMDOL’ which contributes to financial stability of families with disabled children and adolescents. Also, the program supports the elderly with severe visual impairment in various ways such as meal, culture, and exercise programs.
