The meaning of MANNAM's Slogan?

MANNAM! When Light meets Light there is Victory

Do you know MANNAM’s slogan?? If you are a MANNAM member, you might have heard this.

When Light meet Light there is Victory!

Then... do you know what this mean? How can light makes victory?

Light represents a person who had light, this light is one's own CULTURE.

If people who has a light(culture) meets another light(culture) and share it together, the light will get bigger and bigger to lighten the dark world!

When dark world shines with the light, isn’t that a victory??

Light in this slogan is not just a sunlight that shines on us.

We, all of MANNAM members are the LIGHT who can lighten the world!

How? By invovling in volunteer works! We, MANNAM is a pure association

We make the world brighter by volunteering. When we share our culture thorugh volunteering, there will be victory.

Every languages have word 'LIGHT'. Because people or creature cannot live without light.

Light is essential to all of us. In this way, we need your culture to lighten the world.

Don’t you want to see brighter world? Let’s make VICTORY together.

sourse: mannamgwkorean.blogspot.kr

Enjoyed delicious brunch in Jeonju Diner!!

There is a nice restaurant in Jeonju called Jeonju Diner.
It is famous for Burgers and Burritos. Because the owner of the restaurant is a Canadian, the foods are western style. And I heard many western people have gatherings there.

I love its foods so much. Every menu I have tried was wonderful, and I like there cozy atmosphere as well. But I am not able to visit there regularly because it is not close to my place.

Last week, I had missed the food and I asked one of my MANNAM friend to go there and have brunch together.

The name of my menu was Simple Breakfast; fried egg, potatoes, a slice of bread and bacons with coffee. Even though it's called "Simple Breakfast", it was not simple for me. We enjoyed the dish very much.  : )

Thanks a lot for offering me a delicious meal! I would like to have a gathering party in there with my MANNAM friends so they could experience the excellent dishes.

You can search on the google map. It's in Samcheondong.

Let's make wonderful time with KIDS :D

♥Orphanage Volunteer♥

MANNAM Jeonju branch will go to volunteer this Saturday to Sun-deok Orphanage. For this time, we are going to PLANT FLOWER SEEDS in the small pot with lovely Kids.
If you want to make happy time for Children, please join us.

1. When: Feb. 23 Sat.

2. Schedule:
♥9:00am. Departure from Jeonju
(Place-Jeonbuk Univ.; In front of Hetsal chicken restaurant)
♥11:30-11:40am. Come back to Jeonju.

3. HOW TO SIGN UP?
You can send a message or e mail us.
#English) Yeongjae : 010-3719-7319
  Chinese) Inhwan : 010-8485-8494
#jeonjumannam@gmail.com

Don't miss the WONDERFUL CHANCE !!
Share your warm heart with the kids: )

Thank you♥

Enjoy Hanok Village in Jeonju~

                                                    (picture source: tour Jeonju)

My hometown Jeonju has Hanok mauel which is a famous Korean traditional style house village. There are numerous of traditional houses huddled together. When I was young, the village was just an old place and no one had visited there. But now, after repair work, it became a tourist spot where so many people visit from all over the country.

This village was started to build around 1930. There is a gate called Pungnam Mun near the village. It was the entrance into the castle but it was pulled down because of Japanese merchanters. They had broken into the castle and constructed their houses their way. So, the ancestors started to build the houses in traditional way to resist them and maintain our own culture. The village has the spirit of people who had lived that in that time.

How to go?

When you arrive Jeonju Express bus terminal, there are taxis waiting for you. It takes just 10 min by car and you may pay about 5000 won if there is no traffic jam. You ask the driver to take you 'Hanok maeul' or 'Ohmok dae' where you can see the whole village in one place.

If you don't want to take a taxi, the closest bus stop is near the Jeonju river. You go left side from the terminal toward the river, and then cross the street. There are a bus stop on the left side. You can take the bus 5-1 and get off on Jeondong Seongdang, Hanuk maul(전동성당, 한옥마을).

In case of the Jeonju Intercity bus terminal, when you arrive there, just cross the street and you can see a bus stop. You take the bus 5-1 and get off the same way.

If you don't know, just ask

"Hanok Maeul uhdiro gayo?"

It means "Where is the hanok village?"

Perhaps, people will help you kindly.

When you go into the village, there are fascinating narrow streets between the houses. Beside the streets, there are some ditches with running water. And fancy cafes are lined up where you may take a rest a while. It's a great dating course for couples.

Among the cafe, there are a well known one named "외할머니 솜씨(Grandma's Cooking Skill)". You can enjoy different kinds of Korean style desserts in there. The most famous dessert is Patbingsu(red bean sherbet) with special toppings. Because the cafe is so popular, you might be wait long time to order the food.

When you walk along the street, you can meet some houses where you can experience traditional games or events at day time. However, I like there at night time though. Because I love to see a lot of colorful lights all around the village. Those beautiful lights you can enjoy just at night. 

Last year, MANNAM Jeonju branch has been visited this fascinating village with international members. We shared our thoughts about cultures through that tour. We all were happy to visit there and experience other traditional culture.

I want to share my culture to you.

And I'd like to know about your culture as well.

It is important to understand each other.

And it can make us friends.

Love will start from there. : )

An Essay Ⅱ from MANNAM Korean teacher.

This is a story why am I willing to be a volunteer for foreigners.

It was 15 years ago. I had been working in Gunsan Daewoo commercial vehicles. I had some chances to meet foreign buyers that time. Whenever I met them, I had got trouble because of my poor English skills. So I wanted to learn it more, but it was not easy to do both learning and working.

At that time, IMF hit Korea in 1997 and the economy was getting worse. Numerous workers were fired from their companies. However, I quit the job myself and flew to Australia to prepare for a better future.

Since I had been experienced in staying Japan, I felt living in foreign countries seems to be romantic. However, It was different between dream and reality. One of the big problem was, of course, the language!!

I wanted to be a permanent resident in Australia so I needed to improve my English skills. But entering the language school costed very expensive. I had been spending a mount of money to rent my house, get some groceries, and so on. I had to figure out a better way to study English.

I used to go a library nearby my place to read some books. When I had walked through the hall, a tiny invitation posting caught my eye. It was an ad about Free English classes for foreigners like me!

I was excited that I could learn English for free and decided to go there.

The class was made by some Australians and christian missionaries. They volunteered every Saturday. Most of the volunteers were from different countries. They offered English classes, Bible study, and singing to the students. I liked those. The best thing I liked was I could meet many foreign friends there. I could hear a lot of stories about the world from them. It was so much fun.

During break time, all of students and volunteers roamed around the class and had a chat. Thanks to that, I should practice to speak English to communicate with them. I had tried my best to learn from the class and have a conversation with the volunteers and I could feel that my English skills were getting better little by little.

I still have keep in touch with one of them. Her name is Allison. She is Australian. She came there to help the students with English. She told me her fiance was Korean and she had been interested in learning his language. Since her fiance had used to be an international student, she knew the difficulty of foreign students' well. So she had started to volunteered there.

Allison told me about her life and took me to meet her husband. She always tried to help me with daily conversation. Even though she was one of volunteers, she was a real teacher to me. I was really thankful to her. She treated me not only as a student but a friend. From then on, I think I have dreamed to help someone with my language like her.

After 15 years, now, I am a teacher in MANNAM Korean Class. I have my own job, bring up two kids, and I volunteer every Sunday. I am truly happy I can help the foreigners. I feel I am giving back the kindness to Allison who gave it to me.

Some of my students study very hard in order to teach Korean in their countries. They express their gratitude to me every time. How nice!!

Like the slogan of MANNAM, When Light meets Light, there is Victory, I convey a small light to them and they receive and spread the light through the world.

Written by

Hwang, Jae-yeon

MANNAM branches

Message from the Chairwoman of MANNAM

MANNAM is a volunteer organization whose goal is succinctly defined in our motto, our rallying cry, our call to arms: When Light Meets Light there is Victory. Our mission is to bring all people of different nationalities, creeds and cultures together through volunteering and to learn and understand about each other: when good things come together, the result will be even greater – world peace.

We volunteer silently and without fanfare. We do our work behind the scenes. We do not work for accolades or self aggrandizement; our lights are hidden. Likewise, all this is made possible through the anonymous yet wonderfully generous contributions of those many individuals who support our organization, some 100,000 across the world as of start of 2013.

Korea has long been known as the country of courteous people in the East and the 'land that does not forget kindness'. Our aim is to spread our vision and the goodness in this culture across borders. We want to bring the light of love across the globe and from this will come cries of "Victory!"

Wherever there is a place that requires love and sacrifice, our desire is to be there, wherever it may be. These are the principles instilled into our organization by our Honorary Chairman, Mr. Lee. We hope you will be our steadfast companions on the journey yet to be traveled.

Thank you.

My Happy Voluntary work in MANNAM

 I am a member of MANNAM. I am writing because I'd like to share my happy feeling with others who are hesitating to do volunteer work.

I teach Korean language and visit an orphanage and a hospital with foreign members regularly. I like to be a friend with the foreign members because I can get a chance to learn many things, especially about their cultures.

I think that exchanging our thoughts each other is the first step to make the world be one and I really appreciate having these meetings.

In addition to, I have been learning a spirit of sacrifice through volunteering. I had not realized before. After joining voluntary works I just started to think that I got so many thankful things around me. I have a sweet family, friends and health. When I realized this, I felt I was a happy person. Being able to help somebody in need is a really great job. I will keep doing voluntary work, sharing my talents, time and my happiness.

I guess that making the world be happy is not that difficult. Just share your heart with your neighbors. That's enough. You know? All the big trees are also started from each tiny little seed. Please remember it. Thank you.

Written by
Hyo-jeong Lee

MANNAM MAN meets Gamcheon Cultural Village

Greetings!!

I have been to Gamcheon Culture Village on last day of seollal holiday( korean New Year's day). Gamcheon Culture village is located in Busan, which is the second largest city in Korea. Since 2009, the village has been subjected to be remodelled and renovated as a part of government-supported art projects. The dense houses of this small hillside village makes a view with colorful buildings. If you are interested in photography, there are many opportunities to take photos than expected.

When I had arrived there, I, firstly, bought the colorfully-illustrated map which costed just 2,000 won. There are 7 blanks on the map that you should collect stamps each place. If you collect all seven stamps from all places marked on the map, you can get either two postcards or one printed photo you take for free at Hanuel maru which is located at the top of the village. But I couldn't. That day was National Holiday, so many people were there. :)

One place attracting my eye was House of Peace.

A sign was posted in front of the house.

[ Peace is invisible to the eye and inaudible to the ear. But still, peace is the container can hold everything in the world. This work is the visualization of the peace as a container can hold everything. Moonlight shines on everything fairly. It doesn't care whether they are rich or poor, what race and religion. Peace is the basis of equal and fair living for the whole human kind. ]

I have been deeply moved by this sign before entering this house.

These papers were posted by hundreds of people who wished real peace. 

I think that peace start from respecting different minds from your thoughts.

These days I've been working for one volunteer association called MANNAM on the weekends. Its ultimate goal is world peace through volunteering. This pure volunteer association grounding on all people from the world, irrespective of their differences, unites and works towards the goal of the world peace and a culture of respect and tolerance through true volunteerism. This is MANNAM's vision and I love it.

Volunteer work provides meaningful life to us as heaven gives us the light, rain, and air. Not expecting in return, like nature does. That's a real PURE volunteer work.

I am so happy that I could something for people in need. Honestly it makes me feel valued. I'm going to a hospital on this Saturday to treat sick children. The volunteers including me are preparing something special for the little friends.
Would you come with me? :)

www.mannamintl.org

I am an Office Worker!! I am a member of MANNAM!!

 I am an officer of a building company. I have been engaged in there for 3 years.  It was April 2012 when I started to join MANNAM. I had been tired of my repetitive life. At that time, one of my friend told me about one volunteer association called MANNAM and recommended to join the volunteer group. Honestly I had never heard the name before. Anyway he told me that it could bring me some happiness. At first, I turned it down because I thought I should spend lots of time and money if I joined there. Working in my office was hard enough for me. But he kept persuading me. He said I could feel happy while I helped people in need.
"You just need a little bit of spare time and passion.", he said.
So I decided to join MANNAM Volunteer Association.

 Before, I had been New Zealand for a while so I knew about the feelings of staying abroad. I knew well how difficult it was. So I started to help them with teaching Korean language and Korean culture to adjust this strange land. It was very easy for me to make them understand my culture,  but it was something special for them. The foreigners really thanked me for helping them. It was also great I was able to know about their countries and cultures.
 I felt great while I helped them. Amazingly, volunteering was healing my stress.

A few months later, I got a chance to manage sports teams. Through sports, we could get closer each other. It refreshed my boring life and brought happiness to me. Before doing that, I was a person who just knew oneself only and didn't care others so much. Now, however, I feel very happy that I could help someone.

 The best memory I have during activities is 'The Children Abuse Prevention Campaign' held on Children's day 2012. It was a campaign that we tried to let people think about how many children were under unfair situations and participate in the campaign through doing variety performances. We did Flash Mob to gather people and make them aware about the serious social problem with pictures and articles.
To prepare this campaign, we gathered some foreign friends who were interested in volunteering and talented at dancing. Thanks to the volunteers, about 100 people  were able to join Flash Mob. We practiced only twice before the event. But did a great job. And we made some clay toys to offer every children we met there.
 A lot of people watched our Flash Mob and hundreds of children enjoyed our program joyfully. I felt so amazing that we had made this wonderful event by ourselves and also could reduce this terrible problem at least once by doing this campaign. How worthwhile it was! I will not forget this forever.

 As an office worker and also a member of MANNAM, I have been volunteering on every weekends, helping Korean language class, joining orphanage volunteers, visiting a hospital to treat sick children and so on. It really brings me happy and pleasure. I have got much more passion about the world peace through those activities within MANNAM. If we share our thoughts about peace and love with our neighbors, I think the world peace is possible.

Thank you.

Written by
Min-uk Choi

How our reaction to North Korea should be

I lived in Vietnam for 6 years since 2004. As you know, Vietnam is a communist country. When I lived in there, I had been feeling difficult and sad to vietnamese friends who were under pressure from polices and soldiers. They did not look happy under communism. At least I felt so. I think FREEDOM is a real basic right of human being.

I read news below at early morning 7, Feb.

“If the enemy [North Korea] is actually about to use a nuclear weapon, a preemptive strike is also one of our possible reactions,” Jung Seung-jo, chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at a briefing of the National Assembly’s National Defense Committee yesterday.

When I read this news, one story called [The Wind and the Sun] came into my head. One day two of them were bored so that they bet who took a traveler's coat off . Do you know who won and how to win?

The reason that we could say "peace", it is assumed Non-Violent. Peace is difficult but easy. I mean Political, Religious, Race peace is very difficult but our peace is easy. Let's try MANNAM's first principle "We strive to be a source of light and hope for others"

One of chances to spread light and hope is a Volunteer Work. Volunteering will give the meaningful and positive impact to your community. Besides it can have many benefits for yourself too.

Volunteering is sharing yours with others. Volunteering is giving yours to others. Do you worry about there would be no more yours someday? Do not worry. You will get more than you have shared.

Thank you.

Written by

Yeong jae yu

My Seollal(Korean New Year's Day)

There is a big holiday in Korea called Seollal which is Lunar New Year's Day. On Seollal, each family member get together, have a chat and cook some special foods. One of the most typical dish that we feast is ddeok-guk. It is a rice cake soup and very delicious. Even if you are not Korean, you may like its light and clean taste.

By the way, do you know why do we eat ddeok-guk on Seollal?

Seollal, the day we have ddeok-guk, literally means the beginning of the year and also it's the time winter turns into spring. This rice cake is symbolized for living healthy and longevity with having a good harvest because of its long shape. So eating ddeok-guk, you could have the warm energy in your body. And we believe that sharing ddeok-guk with neighbors means sharing the good fortune with them together.

I will eat this delicious dish with my relatives on this Seollal as usual. My relatives gather in grandparents' house. My aunt and uncle drive for 5~7 hours to meet us. We will have great time, talking, laughing and preparing some traditional foods. We have not only the traditional foods but also variety traditional games for Seollal. We enjoy them all together, from little kids to grandparents.

Could you imagine how peaceful and happy the day would be?

However, at this moment, I'd like to say that there could be someone who are not able to have this peaceful and happy time with their family or relatives. I am talking about "War". Some children and young men could be fighting in the war holding guns to survive even at this moment. The words, like 'family' or 'happiness' are far away from them. I think we should not forget those people. We need to take care of those situations because the world has been getting closer and people living in each country become neighbors as we express 'global village'. If so, the world peace should be needed and the war should be stopped so that the children and young men won't be dragged to the battle.

In MANNAM Volunteer Association, we share our thoughts for world peace and try to make world be the place fulling of happiness and love. The MANNAM volunteers from all over the world seem to look different in color, race, culture, gender and religion, but those are not important to us. Whatever you have, whoever you are, we don't care. If you accept the differences and admire each other, we can understand each other. Furthermore we can be friend or family living in "global village". And when we understand and respect each other, the war will be end at last. Like MANNAM slogan says, 'When Light meets Light, there is Victory', the world peace is possible if there's someone desire to make it. And the "light" could be YOU and I.

That's all what I am thinking.

You and I, we can make the world bright.

Written by

Na-yeong Yoon.

A meeting of two peace makers, Man Hee Lee & Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi (pronounced Ong San Soo Chee), Myanmar’s pro-democracy leader and Nobel Peace laureate, symbolizes the struggle of  Myanmar's people for freedom.
She returned to Myanmar in 1988 to nurse her dying mother and was immediately plunged into the country's nationwide democracy uprising. Joining the newly-formed National League for Democracy (NLD), Suu Kyi gave numerous speeches calling for freedom and democracy. The military regime responded to the uprising with brute force, killing up to 5,000 demonstrators. Unable to maintain its grip on power, the regime was forced to call a general election in 1990.
As Aung San Suu Kyi began to campaign for the NLD, she and many others were detained by the regime. Despite being held under house arrest, the NLD went on to win a staggering 82% of the seats in parliament. The regime never recognized the results of the election.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been in and out of arrest ever since. She was held under house arrest from 1989-1995, and again from 2000-2002. She was again arrested in May 2003 after the Depayin massacre, which was an incident that close to 100 of her supporters were beaten to death by the regime's militia.

She has spent more than 15 years being under detention. She was released from her current third period of detention on November 13, 2010. There are still over 2,200 political prisoners in Myanmar now. She has carried out a movement of Myanmar's nonviolent democracy, struggling with house arrest and detention.

Honorary president of MANNAM Volunteer Association, Man Hee Lee and the president, Nam Hee Kim have visited many countries in Europe, America, Africa to meet the world leaders and to convey the aspirations of world peace and liberation. All world leaders they have met agreed with the message that break down the walls of border, race, religion and become a family for world peace and liberation.

And they are planning to meet other leaders continuously. Becuase the world peace is not only our dream but also whole human race's desire. MANNAM will continue to make every effort to realize the World Peace.

Written by

Yeong-jae Yu

An Essay from a MANNAM Korean Class teacher.

     A couple of months ago, a foreign worker who was from Pakistan wanted to join MANNAM Korean Class. There was a problem, however, his home was Ik-san which was about an hour distance from the class by car. It was not easy to come to the class and he didn't even know how to come. He had known around his place only. Even though he still wanted to take the class. So I explained the location and sent the address to him.

     Sadly, he couldn't get it and later told me he could figure out by himself. He seemed not to want to bother me. The day he supposed to come I was waiting for him, but he had not showed up until the class was started. Finally, he walked into the classroom during a class. He looked exhausted. I asked him what happened. He told me that he had spent two hours on a bus. Because the bus drove him wrong way, he got off, took a taxi and then arrived finally!
     I felt sorry for him but on the other hand appreciated that he came safely.

After the class was finished, I took him his place. He said he was pleased to find MANNAM class and would like to join statedly.

     Meanwhile, he also told me his daily life. His routine life was nothing special; working and taking a rest were repeated everyday. How boring his life was! He had not been enjoying his weekends or holidays so far. He had not spent time with Korean friends before he met MANNAM. He said that he participated only once - which was MANNAM World Peace Festival in Sep. 2012. - but he couldn't forget the great memories of it.

He appreciated MANNAM Volunteer Association giving him delight.

     Volunteering is not so easy. You should share your time or talents or something you have with people in need. But whenever I meet somebody like him, I am uplifting. I guess that I am the one who is much pleased. That is the reason I keep joining MANNAM volunteer working.

Written by

Hwang, Jae-yeon

MANNAM donated for children with cancer.

MANNAM Volunteer Association Jeonju branch delivered to the director of Jeonbuk university hospital.

In Daejeon, Korea, there was a charity event Aug. 4th. 2012. MANNAM Jeonju branch had managed a food booth, which sold chinese and lao foods, and donated the profits to the hospital.

"Though it's a small enough sum, we are happy that we could contribute to our community spending our time and passion. We would like to deliver our hearts to the little children with serious disease." said Min-uk Choi, a member of MANNAM.

Seong-hu Sung, the director of Jeonbuk university hospital said, "I appreciate the international students to give the profits and sincere hearts for children. And I hope the culture of donation would be more activated through this chance.

Giving their hands and delivering love makes the comunity bright.

Jeonju MANNAM Sport Team ♥

MANNAM Jeonju branch has 3 kinds of sport teams such as Soccer, Basketball, Cricket.
From April. 2012 until now, every weekend, Mannam sports team members have been enjoying sports flexibly.
Because most of the players are from different countries, it is not easy to harmonize with each other. However, they try to understand and considerate of their team members.
Although the players' skills are not excellent, their passion and stance is the best in game like professional players.
There are several sports teams in every MANNAM branch. They are aim for peace and love the world.
MANNAM sport teams are always open for foreigners who love sports.

Volunteer;MANNAM Meets Kimchi :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCDKBvxK-xE

MANNAM Wanju Korean Class

 MANNAM Volunteer Association Jeonju branch is operating a Korean class for foreign workers in Wanju-Gun which is a small town near Jeonju.

From Oct. 7th. 2012 until now, it has been progressing every Sunday 5:00~6:30 p.m.

Though the students work hard and feel tired during weekdays, they are happy to have their time for learning Korean.

The foreign workers work from different companies. However they introduce each other to join this class.

Of course, the fee of the MANNAM Korean class is free.

Foreign workers are all welcome if you want to study Korean.

A MANNAM EVENT in SEOUL

It was Korea's Independence Day in 2011. MANNAM Volunteer Association memorialize meaningful days in Korea.

The meaning of Independence day in Korean is recovering lights. Korea was rolled by Japan and there were no freedom and peace. So many patriots had joined in the independce movements. Korean desired to regain their country. Finally, they recovered the light. MANNAM memorialized that day and thank the patriots.

Furthermore, MANNAM always thank for people all over the world who gave their hands and fought for Korea.

We shared warm heart with MANNAM Volunteers!

MANNAM Volunteer Association Jeonju branch members made donations and delivered briquettes to the neglected social groups.

Dec. 1st. 2013, 40 members of MANNAM volunteer visited Imun, Jeongeup, Jeollabukdo, Korea. They gave 1000 briquettes to the neighbors in need.

It was more meaningful that the briquettes they delivered were purchased by some foreign volunteers for the people who could not go through this winter without any help.

One of the volunteer, K.Pratop, Indian, interviewed "I join this volunteer for help neighbors in need. I feel great and volunteering all together makes my heart warm."

Hong-gyu Yu, the village headman, said "The old couple who have lived in this village for 20 years are public charges. They are sick with illness and one of them is a blind. I had been much worried how could they go through this winter. And now, the volunteers deliver those briquettes for them. Thanks to the volunteers, they can stay warm in this cold winter."

MANNAM Jeonju branch has become more active in their volunteer works. Aug. 4th. 2012, they sold foods and made money in an event. And sent to the Seoul, Joenbuk childhood cancer centers. Aug. 17th. 2012. MANNAM volunteers held a charity event and donated money to the Red Cross in Philippine to help people who suffer from the huge flood.

Beside that, they held a child abuse prevent event in the Jeonju zoo, offered face painting, flashmob, making peace tree for children. They go an orphanage every month with foreign volunteers.