Volunteer Service for Maintaining Road Drains in Preparation for the Rainy Season in 2023

Climate change has changed the phenomenon of the rainy season. Frequent unpredictable torrential downpours bring about facility damage, flooding, and safety accidents. Clogged road drains are one of the factors that cause more damage from heavy rain. If we don’t remove the garbage, fallen leaves, and soil that have accumulated in the drains, it is difficult for drainage systems to function properly when it rains.

Before the rainy season came, the members of the Church of God rolled up their sleeves to maintain rainwater drains along roads in their communities. More than 12,000 members volunteered for this in 155 regions across the country for 25 days from June 25 to July 19. Local governments, which were worried due to a shortage of maintenance labors ahead of the rainy season, welcomed their help at the right time and actively provided cleaning tools.

The members opened the drain covers and removed the waste that had accumulated inside them. They also cleaned the nearby streets to prevent the drains from being clogged again. They worked hard, examining every corner of their communities, not only the areas that were damaged by flooding last year, but also residential areas, shopping malls, and schools nearby. Despite the hot and humid weather, the members said, “I’m happy to be able to help my neighbors.”

On July 25, Moon Jong-won, who volunteered in Dosan-myeon, Tongyeong, Korea, said, “It was hard to find drains because they were all covered with fallen leaves and dirt. Today’s volunteer work was essential for the residents.” On July 6, Baek Yeon-hwa, who participated in the volunteer service in Sangil-dong, Seoul, said, “We lifted drain covers together and scooped up the trash that was inside. The store owners around complimented us for our efforts, so we could joyfully work, forgetting about the heat.”

Woo Jin-han, Head of Gonghang-dong, visited the volunteer site in Seoul on July 3 and said, “We easily forget to clean up drains. I was impressed to see so many volunteers taking the initiative in maintaining the drains. On behalf of my town, I would like to express my gratitude.”

카카오톡 공유하기