[현장] “장 보러 멀리 안 가도 돼요”…연천 어르신들 마을 찾는 ‘행복마차’

On an unusually cold and rainy morning of July 17th, a yellow truck pulled up at the empty road in Salmun-ri, a quiet village in the heart of Changwon City, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The truck, carrying a variety of goods, seemed to be on a mission to bring happiness to the elderly residents. As the truck remained stationary for approximately 25 minutes, six elderly villagers gathered around, their faces brightening at the sight of the diverse selection of items on display.

From canned goods to fresh fish, the truck was a veritable treasure trove for the neighborhood's senior citizens.

One of these elderly women, Mrs. Shin Hyunchang, 78, had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the "Happiness Taxi." Having missed the bus due to its limited availability, Mrs. Shin opted to walk to the nearest market, a journey that often took her 20 minutes. However, the arrival of the Happiness Taxi changed her routine. "If this truck doesn't come, I have to go by bus," she exclaimed.

The truck's journey began in July, and Mrs. Shin now looks forward to visiting the market every week. She chose to buy a carton of eggs and a package of pork chunks for her breakfast, but the elderly are often unable to carry these items back home due to their frailty and lack of assistance.

Kim Seong-chan, the manager of the local social enterprise Happy Tree, stepped in to help Mrs. Shin carry her purchases home. Even though her local store was nearby, the inconvenience of trekking through the countryside with heavy bags often proved to be a challenge for the elderly. The Happiness Taxi aims to address these gaps, bringing essential goods directly to the elderly who live in remote areas.

Another elderly resident, 88-year-old Mrs. I Wonja, who met the taxi at the Taejang Apartment Complex in Changsan-eup, echoed this sentiment. "Older people living alone do not have access to the market," she lamented. "There are no cars, and children and grandchildren are rarely around. Nursing homes are mostly composed of solitary residents. When the taxi comes, it brings a sense of ease."

During its 25-minute stay in Changsan-eup, the taxi brought joy to around ten elderly residents. Mrs. Kim Yang-suk, 76, had initially planned to buy only cabbages for her soup, but was lured by the sight of frozen pork belly, which she impulsively purchased. The Happiness Taxi's card, known as the "Yellow Card," provides a convenient solution, distributing a monthly stipend of 150,000 won to the region's residents as part of a government pilot program.

The card can be used to pay for goods purchased from local merchants. The Happiness Taxi bridges the economic gap in rural areas and provides a vital service for the elderly who live in isolation.

The Korean government introduced the Happiness Taxi project in response to the challenges faced by rural communities, particularly the lack of transportation options and food scarcity. In 2021, the program traveled through six villages and two social welfare facilities in Changwon City, operating five days a week for a month. After reflecting on the feedback received, the program expanded its reach to 31 locations from August 3rd to 21st, operating three days a week.

With plans to extend its services to directly sell goods at the doorstep and arrange deliveries for elderly residents with mobility issues, the Happiness Taxi in Changwon City is set to continue providing invaluable support to its community members.