During commuting times, we can easily see the streets messy with all kinds of garbage. I want to go to work with a refreshing mind and return home in a good mood. However, when I see cigarette butts and garbage in every corner of the streets, I come to frown.
There came a good opportunity to change such an environment. Young adult workers living near Songdo New Town planned to clean up the streets. Songdo New Town is a cosmopolitan city with more than 10,000 companies and 110,000 employees. I volunteered to help them work in a pleasant environment.
On a holiday at 10 a.m., more than 120 young adult workers overcame the temptation of oversleeping and gathered at a park in Songdo. A former college president came to support us and said, “We live with the natural environment and the living environment all the time, and so we are guests to the environment. I am proud of you who make the environment clean.” We shouted, “All the best for a clean world!” and went out into the streets. I could not do it alone, but it was easy when I did with the brothers and sisters. In an hour, the streets became clean. The plastic garbage bag in my hand was filled with garbage and filth. When we worked together, there was nothing we couldn’t do.
One lady complimented us, “Beautiful young people look more beautiful as you come out and clean up the streets on a day off,” and one of the café employees picked up the garbage in front of her café together and thanked us. I was delighted to clean up the street which I often walked along, and felt proud to receive compliments and greetings as well.
Routes to work, to school, and for family outing . . . I hope that all our streets are always clean.
Let’s protect our streets together. Please put waste in the trash bin!