Teachers and students have taken action for neighbors who are suffering from cold winter weather.
[ Students volunteering to deliver briquettes – 1 ]
127 volunteers from the Mokpo-Deogin high school, Shinan-Docho high school, Mokpo-Hadang middle school, and Mokpo Photo Club delivered the Briquette of Love in the area of Seosan-dong and Ongeum-dong in Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. A total of 1,500 briquettes were delivered to five low-income families that unfortunately failed to qualify for the government’s briquette support.
On a Saturday morning with the ground still covered from the previous night’s snow, volunteers began to gather in front of the Seosan elementary school for the delivery of briquettes.
[ Students volunteering to deliver briquettes – 2 ]
The areas of Seosan-dong and Onguem-dong are shantytowns, located between the rock cliff and the slope of Yudalsan mountain, historically populated by fisherman and peasants. This poor hillside village of Mokpo city dates back to the time when the area was under the rule of Japanese imperialism. In present days, impoverished elderly people populate the town. The families that receive ‘the briquettes of love’ have homes deep within the town, making delivery of briquettes difficult regardless of professional delivery or the efforts of volunteers.
With volunteers wearing work gloves and raincoats on top of thick jacket to avoid ashes from briquettes, deliveries started. While trucks transported the briquettes to the nearest alley to the target homes, volunteers formed lines and hand-delivered the briquettes.
[ Volunteers passing the briquettes to the next person in line – 1 ]
[ Volunteers passing the briquettes to the next person in line – 2 ]
[ Volunteers passing the briquettes to the next person in line – 3 ]
Although the sea wind was cold and the briquettes seemed heavier as the day went on, the smiles on the faces of volunteers were never diminished.
[ Volunteers passing the briquettes to the next person in line – 4 ]
Just as sweat began to appear on the people’s back, a snack time was provided. Students gathered in groups of four or five to eat the treats provided by HUMAN IN LOVE. It was very delicious.
[ Volunteers having a good time eating snacks ]
This briquette delivery was an inspirational opportunity to support neighbors and provided rewarding memories for teachers and students alike.
