[Sportschosun Jang Jong-ho] The Jaseng Medical Foundation, chaired by Park Byung-mo, held the 11th Jaseng Dream Tree Olympics for children from local community child centers on the 20th at Namdong Oullim Gymnasium in Namdong-gu, Incheon.
The Jaseng Dream Tree Olympics has been held since 2018 as a sports event aimed at improving children's health and emotional well-being in local communities. It has toured regions across the country where Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine is located, taking place once or twice a year. So far, about 4,500 children have taken part, building teamwork and a sense of community.
This year's event brought together about 350 children from 22 child centers in Incheon, along with more than 50 staff members from the Jaseng Medical Foundation and Incheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, the Incheon Jaseng Volunteer Group, and child center officials. Woo In, director of Incheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine, also attended and cheered on the children.
Before the event began, the children did a full-body warm-up to help prevent injuries that could occur during exercise, including those to the ankles, knees and shoulders. In the main event, children from four teams — Sprout, Sky, Love and Passion — competed in seven events, including shoe throwing, train relays, wave riding, dice-over games and relay races.
The event also featured a Korean medicine doctor career experience booth, giving the children a chance to try something new. Medical staff from Incheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine explained Korean medicine in an easy-to-understand way and ran various programs, including acupuncture experiences. As the explanations continued, the children showed their curiosity by asking questions such as, "The needles are thinner than I expected" and "How do Korean medicine doctors find the painful spots?" Some children also looked for acupuncture points with their friends, deepening their understanding of Korean medicine.
After all the programs ended, every participant received a small souvenir, and the winning team’s children were given gift certificates as prizes. The Jaseng Medical Foundation and Incheon Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine also supported local child centers with office equipment and ssanghwa tea, putting community sharing into practice.
One child who took part in the event said, "Cheering and running around with my friends made the day feel really short," adding, "I felt proud when our team worked together and finished the games." The child also said, "The Korean medicine doctor career experience was a unique experience, and I want to take part again someday."
Park Byung-mo, chairman of the Jaseng Medical Foundation, said, "I hope this became a meaningful time for the children to build teamwork and consideration while playing and running with their friends," adding, "We will continue to work actively with local communities to create a healthy environment for children's growth."
Meanwhile, the Jaseng Medical Foundation has steadily carried out a range of social contribution activities for vulnerable children and teenagers. Along with scholarship support through programs such as the Hope Dream Scholarship and the Jaseng Shin Joon-sik Scholarship, it also operates the Children's Spine Health Guardian Program and other initiatives to help create a healthy environment for children's growth.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
