Gangjin-gun Gundo-myeon Saemaeul Women's Association, Heartwarming Birthday Table Service for Elderly Living Alone

Preparing a Birthday Table with Saemaeul Association Featuring Cake, Watermelon, and Namul Side Dishes

Members of the Saemaeul Association visited the homes of elderly people living alone and delivered gifts. / Photo by Asia Economy

[Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] The Saemaeul Women's Association of Gundo-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (President Han Ok-kyung) visited the homes of elderly people living alone in Gundo-myeon on the 30th of last month together with the Gangjin-gun branch of the Saemaeul Association (Chairman Park Jong-jae) and delivered cakes and side dishes while conveying their regards.

According to the county on the 2nd, on that day, members visited the home of Elder Kim in Bijadong village, who had to spend his birthday alone due to difficulties in visits from his children caused by COVID-19, and prepared a birthday table with cake, rice cakes, and vegetable side dishes, also presenting a functional chair as a gift.

The Gangjin-gun Saemaeul Association and the Saemaeul Associations of 11 towns and townships have annually carried out the project "Preparing Birthday Tables for Low-Income Elderly Living Alone" by hosting joint birthday tables for elderly people living alone in the area. Since last year, due to social distancing measures for COVID-19 making gatherings difficult, the project has been conducted by delivering cakes and gifts instead.

In particular, this event not only prepared birthday tables but also involved the Gundo-myeon Customized Welfare Team visiting the target households directly to check if there were any inconveniences in their daily lives, promoting a visiting, community-based welfare service.

Elder Kim said, "My children live in other regions, and due to COVID-19, visits have been difficult, so I did not expect a birthday table, but they came to visit, gave me gifts, and congratulated me, and I don't know how to express my gratitude."

President Han Ok-kyung said, "It is unfortunate that many elderly people have to spend their birthdays alone as COVID-19 prolongs," and added, "If given the opportunity, we will continue to work with various organizations in the area to care for marginalized groups."

Meanwhile, the Gundo-myeon Saemaeul Women's Association is carrying out various volunteer activities for low-income residents in the area, such as sharing holiday food in cooperation with the Gundo-myeon Community Security Council, welfare mobile team activities, and side dish sharing volunteer services called Janggeumi and Ureonggaksi.

Gangjin＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su kys86120@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.