As part of an initiative that kicked off earlier this year, the letters (or postcards or memos) are deposited in red-roofed white and red mailboxes called “Go! Go! Welfare Mail Boxes”. (Image: Gimhae)
GIMHAE, April 3 (Korea Bizwire) — In a neighborhood in the southeastern city of Gimhae, the local community welfare center has begun collecting anonymously written submissions as a means of discovering households in need of assistance.
As part of an initiative that kicked off earlier this year, the notes, letters and cards are deposited in red-roofed white and red mailboxes called “Go! Go! Welfare Mail Boxes”. The depositories are situated in fourteen different locations including hospitals, churches and senior welfare centers.
People who are in need of help or who know others who are going through tough times can slip a written description of the circumstances into one of the mailboxes.
Once the mailboxes are opened and the contents held inside read, public welfare workers are dispatched to the people in need. Counseling and an inspection of living conditions is conducted to assess what the needs of the individuals in question are before assistance is provided.
The mailboxes have reportedly been effective in connecting with struggling individuals who live in seclusion and avoid going outdoors as well as aiding those who have experienced a sudden downturn in economic fortunes. Around 20 cases have been registered and are being tended to via the mailboxes.
S.B.W. (sbw266@koreabizwire.com)
