A tangy, sour scent of fermentation filled the lively space. Students molded soil into round shapes as if they were playing with clay. They focused so intently that they lost track of time, paying no attention to the yellow stains spreading across their arms, necks, and T-shirts.
On July 24, approximately 60 members of ASEZ STAR from Bucheon gathered in Church of God in Sosa, Bucheon, to make EM mud balls. These mud balls, made from a mixture of EM solution containing 80 types of beneficial microorganisms and loess soil, are fermented for a period of time. When thrown into a stream, the microorganism proliferate, reducing foul odors and enhancing the water’s self-purification capacity.
At 3 PM, after a brief introduction to the EM mud balls, the members split into groups of six and began their work. They poured loess soil, fermented compost, and EM solutions into plastic bags, kneaded the mixture thoroughly, and carefully shaped it into balls to prevent cracks as they dried. Once completed, the mud balls were arranged neatly. In just one and a half hours, they produced a total of 1,000 EM mud balls.
After three weeks of fermentation, the members gathered again on August 14 in front of the public bicycle rental station at Gulpo Stream in Bucheon. Their goal of this time was to throw the well-fermented EM mud balls, now covered with white mold, into the stream. Gulpo Stream, a national stream, is popular for citizens and rental bicycle users, but has been struggled with odor issues.
Armed with handheld fans and hats to combat the summer heat, the members began their activity by picking up litter along the way from the bicycle rental station to Seoun Bridge. Once at the bridge, they enthusiastically tossed the EM mud balls into the water. With each splash of the mud balls, carrying their hopes for a revitalized stream, the members’ faces lit up with pride and fulfillment.
Bucheon City Councilor Son Jun-gi joined the activity together with the members and encouraged them, saying, “I think ASEZ STAR members are truly exceptional for coming out in this summer heat. I hope they maintain this mindset and sense of action and grow up good leaders who guide the world in the right direction.”
Middle school student Kim Jae-hui from Bucheon shared her impression, “While making and throwing the mud balls, I realized that polluting the environment is easy, but restoring it takes a lot of time and effort. This made me determined to work harder to protect the environment.”
