‘Mother’s homemade food’ and consolation with warm smiles

“At first, I wanted to die, but now I want to live. I ate well. The food was so delicious that it melt in my mouth.”

On December 19, 2017 at 4 pm, an elderly lady with a big backpack was eating a late lunch at the free meal camp held by the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation on one side of the Heunghae Indoor Gymnasium’s parking lot. The elderly lady even forgot her name because of the shock from the earthquake. Worrying that the earthquake might happen again at any time, she was eating the lunch with her backpack on that contains her “everything.” It was then that she met Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah who came to encourage the volunteers from the Foundation. Chairwoman Zahng grabbed the elderly lady’s hands and comforted her, saying, “Cheer up. You are not alone. You have neighbors to be with you.” Thanking again and again, the lady pointed to the volunteers and said, “I was motivated to live, thanks to these beautiful people. I will share even small things with others later.”

That day, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah visited Pohang, an earthquake-stricken area, with the board members of the Foundation and encouraged each of the volunteers at the free meal camp. The volunteers were so proud of the Chairwoman’s compliment: “There is no doubt that all the people who eat this well-prepared meal will be healthy.”

On the way to the free meal camp, Chairwoman Zahng and her companions visited the Pohang City Hall and donated relief funds of KRW 50 million [USD 50,000] for the earthquake victims. “Even the city of Seoul was shaken. How astonished the people here were! All people of the nation were heartbroken. Koreans become one when facing this kind of hardship. Cheer up,” said Chairwoman Zahng. Then the Deputy Mayor Choi Woong replied, “I’ve heard that the elderly who live alone love these volunteers’ free meals more than when they are at home. Thank you so much for your volunteer services and donation. It’s been very helpful.” 

A month ago, a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the town of Heunghae, Pohang, at 2:29 pm on November 15. On record, it is the second largest earthquake in Korea, and the scale of the damage is the largest ever. About 90 injured and about 1,800 victims were reported, and the amount of the damage is estimated to exceed KRW 100 billion [USD 100 million].

While the government proclaimed Pohang City as a special disaster area and prepared the measures, the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation helped the victims. The Foundation members in North Gyeongsang Province began the free meal camp from November 22 next to the Heunghae Indoor Gymnasium where 400 earthquake victims temporarily stayed. The members from Pohang, Yeongcheon, Gyeongju, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsan, and Cheongdo prepared meals with sincerity, hoping that the victims could gain some strength. Cooking braised ripe kimchi and mackerel, soup made with dried radish greens, pureed soybean stew, marsh snail soup, and soy sauce braised beef, the members hoped that the victims could overcome this severe winter and unexpected hardships by eating the “meals made with Mother’s heart.”

The members greeted the camp visitors with a bright smile. They say, “Losing a house would have been too difficult, and yet they come to eat. We feel relieved just by the fact that they come and eat.” They did not forget to say, “Please come again,” to each of those who were returning to the gymnasium after eating. The members treated the victims with fruit and warm tea, and consoled them by listening to their stories. Also, they cleaned up the gymnasium where ventilation was poor.

At first, the victims said, “I don’t have much of an appetite, but thanks anyway for your sincerity.” Later on, the victims said, “It is really, really delicious because it is made with a whole heart,” “I’m comforted more by their warm smile than the meals.” The victims visited the free meal camp again with much brighter and calmed look. Saying, “I’ve come to eat at my daughter’s,” the elderly joyfully stopped by the WeLoveU free meal camp and exchanged greetings with the volujnteers who welcomed them with a bright smile. An elderly named Lee Il-woo (from Heunghae) appreciated, saying, “My life was torn apart and was hopeless, but then you came. I’m greatly reassured because you’ve helped me. I will remember your kindness until I die.” In the cold weather, the volunteers and the victims shared warm words together and concerned about each other’s health; they looked like a family.

Not only the earthquake victims but also people who came to help the victims, such as experts of each filed, public officials, paramedics, police officers, doctors, and other volunteers, all came to the WeLoveU free meal camp. Apart from the meal time, the free meal camp was always opened open to all people to have some tea and forget about hard times for a while and share some good news.

The free meal camp was operated until January 8. After the last meal was served on the last day of the free meal camp, the victims’ eyes were teary from gratitude and parting. The elderly said, “There are times when the meal I cook is delicious and not delicious, but the meals that were cooked here were always delicious. I can tell how much love and sincerity you have put in. You guys are always bright, and I came here every day because every one of you always welcomed me whenever I came here.” The volunteers were also moved to tears. Yoon Young-ran, the Director of the Pohang City Earthquake Recovery Volunteer Service, praised the volunteers’ efforts, saying, “I have no doubt that both the weary victims and the exhausted public officials gained strength because you all welcomed and supported us.” Park Sung-dae, the Head of Heunghae Town, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the townspeople, saying, “I give thanks to all the volunteers from the WeLoveU Foundation for serving really good food. The victims could gain strength thanks to you.”

The WeLoveU free meal camp, which was held for 41 days by 535 volunteers, provided meals to 8,755 people total. The volunteers said, “We feel bad after the free meal camp was over,” and prayed for the health and happiness of the neighbors who lost their living foundation due to the earthquake.