“My Girl Has Been Recovered.”

On October 1, a writing with the subject heading “Thankful Person” was uploaded on the freeboard of the New Life Welfare Foundation website.

It was about looking for a volunteer who visited her house when the “New Life Family Walkathon” held in Incheon last June. It also contained the good news that her heart operation was successful owing to the support from the participants. In response to the writing, New Life Welfare Foundation with the volunteer Kim Yeon-suk (30) visited Minju (2) one more time.

In the afternoon of October 9, Minju’s mother and grandmother welcomed the members cheerfully at their house located in Jung-gu, Incheon. More than anything else, the members couldn’t hold back their joy, seeing Minju’s great recovery compared to a couple of months ago. Minju’s grandmother Lee Sun-ja (57) said, “When Minju was sick, she cried all the time and even pushed me away when I hugged her, but now she is back to being a cute little lovely girl. I can’t tell you how thankful I am.”

Member Kim Yeon-suk from Jung-gu branch in Incheon hugged Minju, saying, “I just wrote down my contact number to her. I feel sorry that I couldn’t go to the hospital when you had surgery.” Minju’s mother Kim Seon-ae (39) replied, “Back then, you were really helpful and comforted us a lot. I appreciate it.” She added that although she wanted to contact Yeon-suk for her daughter’s surgery, but she lost her contact number and was very busy for the surgery. After a while, Minju’s father Jang Seok-won came back from work and also showed his thanks to the members.

2Among three children, Minju was the only daughter with two older brothers, and was diagnosed with the illness when she was taken to the clinic for a cold. The doctor said her heart beat sounded too loud and recommended that she go to a hospital. This happened just 100 days after she was born. The public health center said the same thing, so Minju was taken to the Inha University Hospital where she was diagnosed with a “Hole in the Heart.” Minju’s family was shocked by this rare disease. To make things worse, her father had lost his job because of the IMF financial crisis and had even been ripped off several times.

Meanwhile, IWF reached them via the public office. The New Life Family Walkathon gave them a new hope because they had been distressed without charges for an operation. Minju’s mother said, “I was very moved, seeing those many people pouring their love and concern out for one child to save him or her. I was especially surprised to know that most participants were ordinary middle class citizens rather than rich privileged people.”

With the donations, Minju was able to receive safe surgery for 8 hours at the Inha University Hospital. The surgery was very successful with low percentage of recurrence of the disease. She had to see doctor twice a week before, but now she has only to see doctor once a month to check post surgery status. Minju’s mother and father came back home with Minju after about a 20 day stay in the hospital. They couldn’t forget the help of the IWF members who visited their home and comforted them and the members who participated in the Walkathon for Minju’s health. While looking for a way to express their gratitude, they finally uploaded on the freeboard of the New Life Welfare Foundation website.

“From a parent’s point of view, I’m more thankful if someone gives a glass of water to my child than if they give me food. They gave my child life. I can’t describe how thankful I am.”

Minju’s mother and father thanked the members repeatedly, and showed their will to help children who had not received an operation yet. Minju’s mother and father said they regained the will to live through Minju’s recovery. They are now trying to live a giving life like the members of the New Life Welfare Foundation even if they are not better off enough. Above all, they want Minju to grow up healthy, caring for others.

When we asked Minju to wink at us, she blinked her big and pretty eyes. Her bright smile was so lovely. Minju’s father is not talkative but politely boasts of his daughter, saying, “Minju is popular with the doctors and nurses in the hospital because she doesn’t bother them.”

All the members of the New Life Welfare Foundation wish little lady Minju to grow healthy and beautiful, and her family to be full of happiness in the future.