Boosting Local Commerce: Shincheonji Geoje Branch Combines Marine Market Cleanup with Traditional Shopping Drive

Enhancing Traditional Market Environment to Revitalize Foot Traffic For traditional markets competing with large-scale discount stores, maintaining a clean and sanitary pedestrian environment is a primary factor in attracting residents and tourists. To support local small business owners and enhance the public image of regional commerce, the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Geoje Branch executed a combined environmental and economic initiative on June 9th. Operating under the flagship project "Nature, Be Green!" (Jayeon-ah Pureuja) , the operation took place throughout the Okpo International Market and its surrounding commercial districts in Geoje. Systematic Infrastructure Cleanup: 200 Liters of Debris Collected Okpo International Market is a representative traditional venue in Geoje, known for supplying fresh seafood and regional food items to thousands of annual visitors. To clear the high-traffic zones, the Geoje Branch mobilized systematic cleanup protocols: Targeted Operati...

Practical Housing Safety Support: Shincheonji Gwangju Branch Executes "Gocheo-dream" Home Repair Initiative for Vulnerable Seniors

Addressing the Vulnerable Housing Infrastructure of the Elderly Population

As the aging demographic continues to expand, the residential safety of elderly individuals living alone has emerged as a significant social challenge. Many vulnerable seniors face daily inconveniences due to malfunctioning household fixtures but leave them unresolved due to financial burdens or limited accessibility. Statistics highlight that a substantial portion of the elderly population resides in older, deteriorating houses in traditional urban districts. According to official data from the National Assembly Research Service and Statistics Korea, older homes aged 30 years or more accounted for approximately 29% (164,329 units) of the total housing supply in Gwangju as of the end of last year, heavily concentrated in areas with a high density of elderly residents.

To address these practical living hazards, civic organizations have continuous initiatives to improve local living conditions. Among these is the "Gocheo-dream" (Home Repair) Project managed by the Shincheonji Volunteer Group Gwangju Branch.


Cumulative Performance: 65 Technical Custom Support Operations Over 9 Months

Launched in August of last year, the "Gocheo-dream" initiative delivers localized, minor home repair services directly to senior citizens living alone, vulnerable households, and the families of national veterans. From its inception through May 2026, the branch mobilized a total of 185 volunteers to conduct 65 specific repair operations, distributing 130 pieces of essential support materials.

The technical interventions carried out over the nine-month period include:

  • Lighting Infrastructure: 30 cases of light bulb and fixture replacements.

  • Electrical Safety: 6 cases of outlet and switch replacements.

  • Sanitation & Plumbing: 15 cases of bathroom and kitchen faucet replacements.

  • Accident Prevention: 10 cases of safety grab bar installations.

  • General Maintenance: 29 cases of miscellaneous household repairs, including door handles, hinges, and front door restorations.

Preventing Domestic Slip-and-Fall Accidents Among High-Risk Groups

These targeted home repairs are directly connected to preventing domestic physical injuries among senior citizens. Data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) indicates that falls account for the highest percentage (72.5%) of injury-related hospitalizations among seniors aged 75 and older, with 51.6% of those incidents occurring directly inside the home.

Kim Jin-ong, the team leader overseeing the operations, explained that the program was initiated after noticing elderly parents delaying minor household repairs. Kim noted that on-site interactions often involve confirming whether the service is entirely free of charge, followed by deep expressions of gratitude from the recipients once the repairs are finalized.

Community Cooperation Across Professional and General Voluntarism

The "Gocheo-dream" initiative is sustained through the participation of both certified technical professionals and ordinary office workers. The participating volunteers learn essential technical skills such as electrical wiring and wallpapering, utilizing their evenings after work or their weekends to conduct the repairs.

Kim Jin-ong emphasized that residential safety for the elderly extends beyond simple convenience, as it is fundamentally linked to health, protection, and systematic care. The Gwangju Branch plans to continuously execute these targeted maintenance operations, focusing on households that require immediate, practical assistance.


Source: https://vo.la/qaJInri

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