Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gyeongju Branch Continues Five-Year “Little Finger Promise” Volunteer Program
Unlike one-time charity events, this program is built on scheduled, ongoing visits designed to reduce emotional isolation and strengthen long-term relationships.
What Is the “Little Finger Promise” Volunteer Program?
The name “Little Finger Promise” comes from the Korean gesture of linking little fingers when making a promise. The program reflects a commitment to sustained connection rather than temporary assistance.
Through this initiative, volunteers regularly visit disability organizations to provide:
Haircut and grooming services
Health care support
Cultural and leisure activities
Emotional companionship
The program operates through a structured system that matches volunteers and beneficiary groups in one-to-one partnerships. Visits take place on designated dates each month, ensuring continuity and trust.
Addressing Emotional Gaps in Public Welfare
While public welfare systems often focus on financial and physical support, emotional care can be more difficult to deliver through administrative channels.
Gyeongju, a historic tourism city that attracts millions of visitors annually, faces structural limitations due to extensive cultural heritage protection zones. These restrictions can make accessibility improvements challenging, contributing to social isolation for some residents with disabilities.
In response, the Gyeongju Branch has focused on building what it describes as a “regular care network,” filling relational gaps through steady engagement.
Measurable Impact Over Five Years
According to the branch:
Approximately 1,400 individuals with disabilities have participated since the program began in 2022.
Around 250 volunteers have taken part in the initiative.
Activities are conducted in cooperation with 13 local disability organizations.
Some partnerships have continued consistently since the program’s early stages.
Personal Stories Reflect Emotional Impact
One participant, Kim Deok-bae (male, in his 60s), received grooming support prior to undergoing brain surgery for cancer. He later shared that the encouragement and care he received helped ease intense anxiety before the operation. After successfully completing surgery, he returned to personally express gratitude.
Another participant, Lee Jong-tae (male, in his 60s), who has limited mobility due to a brain lesion disability, had not met his son—who lives in another city—for more than eight years. After receiving support to regain confidence in his appearance, he decided to reconnect with his family.
Participants have also taken part in cultural activities such as visits to Donggungwon in Gyeongju and traditional sports experiences, expanding opportunities for leisure engagement.
Building Trust Through Consistency
The transformation over five years has been visible not only in participation numbers but in community relationships.
In the early stages, visits were met with hesitation. Over time, regular monthly meetings helped build familiarity and trust. According to local partner organizations, participants now look forward to scheduled visits and often ask when volunteers will return.
Representatives from local disability associations noted that consistent engagement has contributed to visible improvements in members’ emotional well-being and social confidence.
Long-Term Community Commitment
Kim Soo-jin, head of the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Daegu-Gyeongbuk Union, stated that regular visits often become meaningful moments of anticipation for participants. She emphasized that the program aims to remain a dependable presence in the community rather than offering one-time support.
The “Little Finger Promise” initiative continues as part of broader regional volunteer efforts, focusing on sustained, relationship-based care within local communities.
Source: https://vo.la/mp2HjsT
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