Nationwide Sincerity: Shincheonji’s "Baekse Manse" Program Fills the Gaps in Senior Care

Addressing Emotional Isolation in an Aging Society

As South Korea transitions into a super-aging society, emotional isolation and relationship breakdown among the elderly have emerged as critical social challenges. While public administrative systems provide financial and physical infrastructure support, minor gaps in emotional care often remain unaddressed. To bridge this divide, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group has been operating "Baekse Manse" (meaning "Long Live One Hundred Years")—a nationwide, participation-oriented silver program designed to promote cognitive health, physical well-being, and genuine emotional stability for seniors.

Dongdaemun (Seoul): An 11-Year Journey of Consistent Companionship

The true value of volunteer work lies in consistency rather than one-time events. The Dongdaemun Branch stands as a primary exemplar of this dedication, marking 11 years of continuous service with 134 visits, supporting a total of 4,019 seniors at the Byeoksan and Dongbu Senior Centers.

  • Transition to Integrated Care: Initially centered on providing basic necessities like rice and food, the branch has expanded its scope into an integrated care program. This includes blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, health counseling, rehabilitation exercises, and recreation.

  • Official Recognition: In recognition of this sustained commitment, the Dongdaemun Branch received an official commendation from the Head of the Dongdaemun District Office on Volunteer Day in 2024. A representative from the district’s Senior Welfare Division noted that the regular welfare checks by private organizations significantly contribute to stabilizing seniors' psychological well-being and alleviating depression.


Daejeon: Tailored Cognitive Play and "Letters to Myself"

On May 12, the Daejeon Branch conducted its "Baekse Manse" program at the Geombae Senior Center in Samseong-dong, focusing heavily on dementia prevention and deep emotional interaction.

  • Months of Preparation: Demonstrating meticulous planning, volunteers hand-crafted 300 carnation corsages over a four-month period from January to April, distributing them sequentially to local senior centers.

  • Emotional Reconnect: The program featured hand massages, dementia prevention quizzes, and a unique session titled "A Letter to Myself." Volunteers assisted seniors in transcribing their life stories and reflections, which were later delivered in customized picture frames. A 96-year-old Korean War veteran in attendance remarked on the profound comfort derived from the careful attention received.


 Yangsan & Incheon: Restoring Vitality and Local Connections

Other regional branches also executed tailored activities under the "Baekse Manse" banner, matching the specific needs of their local senior populations.

  • Yangsan: Operating under the slogan "A Wonderful Life, Even if Just for Today," the Yangsan Branch hosted a session at the Geumchon Saemaul Hall on May 12. For seniors unable to view the spring blossoms due to poor health, volunteers provided a healing tea time featuring cherry blossom tea alongside a tactile cognitive activity focused on decorating model trees with pom-poms to stimulate fine motor skills.

  • Incheon & Gyeyang: On May 8 and 12, the Incheon and Gyeyang branches mobilized customized welfare events across local senior centers. Activities spanned professional hair-grooming services, physical health gymnastics, laughter therapy, health quizzes, and fundamental medical check-ups, effectively encouraging seniors to step out of isolation and engage in lively community interaction.


A Standard for Sustainable Civil Volunteering

The nationwide execution of the "Baekse Manse" program demonstrates that private volunteer networks can effectively complement public welfare structures. By actively expanding from material distribution to specialized cognitive health tracking and emotional preservation, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group continues to foster a sustainable, family-like community structure for our seniors.

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