Hwasun County Improves Living Environment for Couple with Disabilities

Collected 10 Tons of Household Waste
Replaced Wallpaper and Flooring for Improved Living Conditions

Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province carried out a major cleanup on November 22, collecting approximately 10 tons of household waste from a home occupied by a couple with disabilities, significantly improving their living environment.

According to the county on November 25, the household, which had been designated as a high-difficulty case management target, had accumulated large amounts of garbage and miscellaneous items in their living space due to physical disabilities and financial hardship. The interior environment was so severe that it was referred to as a "garbage house," raising concerns about the couple's health and safety.

The county convened a case meeting and promptly initiated on-site response and support. Over two days, from November 22 to 23, sanitation workers and local volunteers worked together to collect large volumes of waste, organize the space, and replace wallpaper and flooring, comprehensively improving the living conditions.

On the first day, around 10 sanitation workers, who are members of the Hwasun branch of the National Democratic Union of Labor Unions, participated in the effort, deploying two heavy-duty grab loaders and two cleaning vehicles to remove waste piled up both inside and outside the residence.

On the second day, the Namdo Love Hwasun County Volunteer Group joined in for a second round of cleaning. They also replaced wallpaper and flooring throughout the living space, ensuring that the couple could live in a safer and more comfortable environment.

Heo Seonsim, Director of Social Welfare, stated, "I find it meaningful that we were able to provide practical assistance to a household struggling to improve their living environment due to disability and financial difficulties. We will continue to identify vulnerable individuals in welfare blind spots and strengthen tailored support to create a community where everyone can live safely and healthily."

A volunteer who participated that day commented, "The work was challenging due to the odor and contamination, but seeing the transformed house was extremely rewarding. I will continue to actively participate in volunteer work to help neighbors in need."

Meanwhile, the county plans to expand support for improving the living environments of high-difficulty case management targets, using this case as a catalyst. It also intends to strengthen cooperation with relevant agencies and local organizations to enhance the accessibility and sustainability of welfare services.