MANNAM) Bukhansan Love with 40 foreigners

About 40 foreign members of MANNAM Volunteer Association (hereafter as the international division of MANNAM) joined the volunteering event of "1 Trail management for 1 Company" in Bukhansan National Park, Seongbukgu, Seoul at 10am on Mar 10.

"1 Trail management for 1 Company" is the volunteering work which encourages a company or an organization to manage their own designated trail or beach regularly for environmental clean up and prevention activities.

These foreign members of the international division of MANNAM who came from various countries including America, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia started the campaign of forest fire prevention and repaired the trail by carrying soil.

Hemin Dalabus (Saudi Arabia) who has become associated with MANNAM thru its Korean Class said, "It is my first volunteering work with MANNAM. Bukhan Mountain is very beautiful. I am so happy to work for this mountain."

The president of Seoul & Eastern Gyeonggi area branch of the international division of MANNAM said, "The Bukhansan is Seoul and Gyeonggi people's favorite place. Doing something for it was a very worthwhile work to us. And we continue this volunteering work and plan to manage Bukhansan National Park for its natural beauty and prevention.

MANNAM Volunteer Associate which began in Korea has not only 13 domestic branches but also overseas ones in German and South Arica, and has been doing continuous volunteering works making Kimchi for the poor and carrying briquettes in Guryong village last winter.

Copyrightⓒ ACROFAN

MANNAM) We long for Freedom and Peace

This is a video that a MANNAM branch visited Seodaemun Prison History Hall in Seoul, Korea.

Have you heard about it?

The Seodaemun Prison History Hall is the museum preserves and displays Seodaemun Prison signifying the suffering and pain of Koreans during the modern period.

Here, independence activists and pro-democracy activities were jailed and martyred.

Despite such a history of suffering, Koreans achieved independence and democracy. The Seodaemun Prison History Hall represents the history of struggle to achieve Korea's independence and democracy with such indomitable spirit and potential.

MANNAM hosted an event there with foreigners. They toured the hall and wrote some messages with their hope and wishes.

Although I wasn't there, I'm sure they must have felt that it was necessary to have freedom and peace.

Please enjoy this video.



MANNAM) See! You will be healed like me :)

Look at the flowers!

A student of mine came to me and gave these flowers which she had picked on the roadside. She said, "It's spring, Jane! These are for you. Aren't they beautiful?"

Absolutely, they were so~~~~ beautiful!!

These days, I'd been bored with everyday routines, exhausted by managing my students every day. But she healed me with the pretty flowers.

The term "Healing" has been so popular these days in Korea. Healing foods, healing tea, healing trips and so on. You can hear those terms everywhere.

Why do people like those things so much?

I guess people need "Healing". In other words, they are so exhausted with lots of stressful tasks. They may need to be healed by eating healthy foods, drinking some tea, or traveling because they feel unhappy with their lives.

Perhaps, you've so much focused on your work only, so you haven't had much time to look around people around you. You might care of yourself only and it could make you lonely and unhappy.

Then, why don't you care of your neighbors? Having some time with your friends is good. Share your happiness with somebody. Like my lovely student did, if you share your feeling and express your love to your neighbors, your life must be better. You can be healed by doing so.

 

MANNAM CULTURE CLUB IN JEONJU : SOCCER

Greetings!!
Finally, MANNAM Soccer Club(MANNAM Lions) reopen in Jeonju.
MANNAM Soccer Club provides for those who take an interest in soccer.
We will open all foreigners who fancy to learn and to play soccer.

Where : Futsal ground at Cheryun Park near Jeonju Zoo
When : 4:00-6:00pm Every Sunday except Last Sunday.
Membership fee is 10 thousand won per month.

It will be used rental ground fee and water.
If you have any question, text or call me, 010-3719-7319.

See you soon:D

MANNAM Doran Doran Korean culture class

It's been about 6 months since MANNAM Jeonju branch started Korean class. Many of foreigners came over and took lessens.

In December, 2012, we divided into two parts by level.

Here is the detail.

Every Saturday,

14:00~15:30 Beginner's level

16:00~17:30 Intermediate level

The class room is near Jeonbuk National University.



This time, we invited a special guest who was a teacher at different place; Wanju Korean class around Jeonju. For beginner's class, he taught about how to say numbers in different situations.

They looks confused. It seems that learning Korean for foreigners were so complicated. But, cheer up!! You guys can do it!!

Meanwhile, we opened a small super-beginner class for new students who didn't know about Korean at all. They learn from the Korean alphabets.

The beginning is half of the whole. I'll also keep my fingers crossed for them!

It was such a great time! I always enjoy being a part of it.

By the way, MANNAM is offering the Korean class for free. What a wonderful chance!!

Even if we, teachers, spend our time and efforts to make meaningful class, we don't expect the students to give us any money.

We just expect you to visit us and learn Korean for your better lives in this country.

We're welcome you all who want to study Korean with nice people.

Thank you. : ))

About MANNAM: Volunteering with MANNAM

The International division of MANNAM Volunteer Association offers foreigners residing within Korea the opportunity to get involved with many aspects of the local communities' lives which are normally inaccessible.

Apart from our large-scale volunteering events, MANNAM regularly volunteers at some of the institutes and community centers around Seoul. Over time a close bond has formed between the public that make use of these facilities and our volunteers.

Certainly, volunteering and serving the community in this way will be a highlight of your MANNAM experience.

 

A Fine day, Fine orphanage volunteer with MANNAM!

Sat. Mar. 23nd, 2013

MANNAM Jeonju branch went to Sundeok orphanage volunteer this weekend.

A month goes so fast. lol

Since we visit there every month, the children there and volunteers are getting closer. When we had arrived there, the kids were waiting for us which was not expected. Because they used to like sleeping more than spending time with us. We were touched.

This time, we prepared some notebooks with no pictures on them, and different kinds of color pans. We let the children decorate the covers of the notebooks which subject was Peace or Dream.

 

Their drawing skills were fantastic!!

Among them, a girl was dreaming to be a painter. I cheered for her.

Some mischievous children drew our hands for fun. Haha! :p

Although It's just small kindness, they like our visiting and even miss us.

They said, "You should come next month! Don't miss it!"

Thank you all my little angels!

I can't wait to meet them next time.

Peace? It is Possible with MANNAM.

Hello. I'm a kindergarten teacher in Korea. It's been 3 years since I met MANNAM Volunteer Association. I got to knew this group through an event named 'Love for Taegeuk, and Love for Mugungwha' which was hold in MANNAM. I saw some bent old men with white hair. There brilliant eyes said they were not ordinary old men. They were the people who had took a part in the Korean War in 1950-53.

The event was to commemorate them who devoted their lives to our nation and people. To thank them, MANNAM members made a huge flag, Teaguekgi, with thousand of people's hand prints.

I visited there by chance and I was impressed after I'd looked around the event booths and performance. I would have liked to join MANNAM volunteer group. So, I signed up there.

This was how I join MANNAM.

Now, I've got feeling that Peace is possible through MANNAM and it's never far away.

I asked one of my students who was 6 years old.

"What do you think peace is?"

She said, "Peace is loving each other."

The other kid said, "Peace is smiling, sharing chocolate with friends."

For adults like us, we think peace is much complicated and difficult to achieve. But for the pure kids, peace is just loving and sharing each other.

What do you think Peace is?

I‘ve been learning from MANNAM how could we love each other, make up for each other's weak points with no racial or cultural discriminations. MANNAM volunteer association has been doing many things to achieve its goal which is Peace, and I'm sure we are making happy and peaceful world.

I'm very pleased I could help my neighbors in need and make peace in the world. I think I became one of  the small peace makers for the society and the world.

Why don't you be a small peace maker like me? Volunteering is not difficult and it brings you happiness to your life. Somebody is waiting for your help somewhere. I hope you can hold out a helping hand to somebody.

written by

Na-yeong

MANNAM 10Km Event in 2012

Hello, there!!

How are you doing these days??

Spring is getting closer. Do you feel it?

Today, I saw some forsythias were blooming. What a nice scene!! That's the reason why I love spring so much.

Also, I could see lots of families go on a picnic these days.

It reminded me of the 10K event that was held last spring. It was the first event for me to join MANNAM.

The participants walked the riverside 10 kilometers long, thinking about the people in disaster victims.

The aim of this event was to encourage Korea to wake up and reach out, across borders and cultural constraints, to aid our brothers and sisters in need.

 

I thought it was very meaningful. Most of people don't care about others' sorrow but MANNAM cared about it. During walking, I tried to imagine I was one of the victims' family.

'How could I go through with that situation?', I thought.

Even if I could never understand their feeling fully, I could assume that how awful and sad it could be.

Furthermore, I felt it was important to take care of  neighbors because it was a way to communicate one another. When we communicate with others, we would understand them and this would lead the world peaceful.

Nice weather and nice people. This is all I want to get.

I'm looking forward to join this year as well.

Review 2012 MANNAM Volunteer Association

Why don't you watch this video?

It's about MANNAM activities all over the world during last year, 2012.

We did so many wonderful things.

When Light meets Light, there is Victory.

I feel like we are making a strong Light together.

How AMAZING!!

I'm very proud of all of MANNAM members.

Enjoy this movie.

I hope you like it : D

MANNAM Wanju Korean class(Mar.18th, 2013)

 Sun. Mar. 18th, 2013

Our diligent students studied Korean language.

This time, 13 students took my lesson which were less than usual.

Did they have some remaining work to do? I was concerned what happened to rest of the students.

I realized we were already like family.

They learned about the expression, "How could I do~?".

And I asked them to wrote about the working conditions in their company and present it one by one.

Listening to their presentation, I was very impressed.

They had made their own speech and announced in Korean.

I also could feel that they had been improving more and more.

I'm so happy to see their development.

Thank you all the awesome students. I'm very proud of you!

- Written by Jae yeon Hwang

Vision of MANNAM

MANNAM is the common ground on which all people of the world, irrespective of their

differences, can unite and work towards the goal of the world peace and a culture of

respect and tolerance through true volunteerism.

 

 

Principles of MANNAM

•Pure Volunteerism

We embody the spirit of pure volunteerism and work to promote unity among the peoples and

the cultures of the world.

•Celebrating Communities

We offer our time and skills to aid the communities by participating in events and festivals that

promote the principals of peace, unity and volunteer service.

•Giving without expectation

We strive to be a source of light and hope for others, not accepting payment for services rendered through MANNAM.

•Reaching out

We aid, uplift and enrich society, starting within our own communities and reaching out to the world.

We uphold the principles of justice and equality for all. We do not discriminate against any group or

individual longing to work towards peace and unity for all humanity.

MANNAM Meets Papua New Guineans

Papua New Guineans have been urged to join in the global community to celebrate World Peace in South Korea.

 

The celebrations are held annually on September but as a lead-up the Organizers will visit PNG in April.

During their stay, the honorary Chairman MAN HEE LEE will hold talks with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

 

The celebrations at the Olympic Stadium in Seoul, South Korea will coincide with PNG’s Independence celebrations but at a global level it will be colourful and specular as participants unite for world peace.

 

The event is organised by MANNAM Volunteer Association. The NGO works to achieve peace and freedom for all people beyond boundaries of culture, religion and race.

 

The gathering is an ideal opportunity for nations to learn from each other. It is also a time to reflect on the different government policies that may have caused internal riots, protests or external wars.

 

Its hope Papua New Guinea will participate in this year’s World Peace celebrations.

 

Bridgette Komatep, National EMTV News

 

 

http://www.emtv.com.pg/news-app/item/png-urged-to-join-in-world-peace-celebrations

Pres. Girma confers with chair of MANNAM Volunteer Association of Korea

President Girma Woldegiorgis held discussions on Monday with Chairperson of MANNAM Volunteer Association, Man Hee Lee.

 

 

The discussions were mainly focused on ways of strengthening ongoing efforts towards the reunion of the two Koreas.

 

President Girma said on the occasion that Ethiopia will contribute share towards maintaining peace between North and South Korea and realizing their reunification, according to a high-level government official who attended the meeting.

 

The Chairperson told journalists afterwards that Ethiopia's support is significant in the ongoing efforts to reunite the two Koreas.

 

Established in Seoul in 2003 with a small community of 700 members, MANNAM Volunteer Association has over 80,000 members worldwide.

 

MANNAM aims to bring all cultures together, put aside differences and become one in volunteerism.

http://www.ertagov.com/erta/erta-news-archive/2165-pres-girma-confers-with-chair-of-mannam-volunteer-association-of-korea.html

MANNAM - Think about Reunification of Korea.

Reunification of North and South

Nowadays, it is very rare to see country divided by north and south, or west and east, and many people already think that all people and countries in the world is one. However, there is one country divided into North and South, and this is known by many people in the world. Do you know which country is this? This is our country, Korea. There are many problems of this, and I think that we should be united fast now. Then, I will tell you the three main reasons why we should unite fast : economy, peace, and development.

First of all, it is about the economy. It is because we, Korea is using too much money in protecting us and making weapons. North Korea is busy at making dangerous weapons such as nuclear weapons, and South Korea is busy at putting money to protect our country. For South Korea, we are using 20-30 trillion for the protection of ourselves! This is very serious problem, and actually we can use those much money for educating the children, or building buildings which we need in our country. Therefore, we have to be united to save our money.

Secondly, it is about the peace. It is because we, Korea is with worry and stresses because of the fact that we are divided into North and South. Especially for North Korea, most of their nations are working as a soldier obligatorily, even though they do not want to. I think if we are united, we could be free from these things, and lots of people want the unification of North and South Korea for this reason. Therefore, we should be in peace by the unification.

Lastly, it is about the development. It is because we, Korea can be developed more when we unite. Actually, South Korea is already much developed and North Korea is not. Because of this reason, many South Koreans can disagree to unite. However, even if we, South Korea is much more developed than North Korea, we do not have much resources. Our main things are only many people to work, and many people's brains. Then, how can we be stronger, and more developed? It is to unite, with North Korea, because North Korea has much resources under their territory. Also, when the people in North Korea and South Korea are joined, Korea's density of population can be very high as other much developed countries. Therefore, we must be united to be developed, and to be stronger.

As you can see, those are the three main reasons why we should unite fast. I hope the unification of South and North Korea be realized fast. Let's effort with our best, so that our Korea which is devided, can be united!

(source: Naver Knowledge in)

While reading this article, I fully sympathized with this opinion.

The nuclear problem of North Korea is now a big issue around the world. Most people in the world have cold glances to North Korea and many of Koreans don't want to be reunited because they think reunification makes lots of social and economy problems in our society, South Korea. However, here is what I want to tell them, let's see the good sides of it.

Why? Because North Koreans have the same ethnic roots with us. They could be our family. What if your family members are dying of hunger? What if they do wrong? Do you want to just ostracize them? They are the only people have same language of us in the world, not our enemies.

I'm not saying North Korea is doing well. I don't support the government of it. Just I want to say that we need to think about this matter deeply. No one wants War and everybody wants Peace. As one of MANNAM members, I hope we could make Peace of world starting from reuniting Korea.

What do you think of this?

An Essay Ⅲ written by a MANNAM Korean teacher.

It was in October of 2012. MANNAM Jeonju branch received a request from Wanju Industrial Complex where many foreign workers had worked. The Wanju government made a request to Mannam to organize a Korean class.

There was a guy named Subeiri from Indonesia. He asked if the class could be held in the complex. He learned about MANNAM when he participated the World Peace Festival. He told us there had been a lot of trouble staying here in Korea because he couldn't speak Korean. He didn't even have enough time and money to learn it since the Korean language institutes were so far away from the city. Many people desired to study Korean, so MANNAM started to hold the class every Sunday at the complex.

Since then, I've been teaching them for five months. I was so touched whenever I saw the students. They were always enthusiastic about studying, despite being tired from having work everyday.

Subeiri, one of the hard-working students, left Korea just last month because of his expired visa. While staying in Korea for about three years, he received the Korean Language Certification Level 1. He said he would come back as soon as he can, but I was sorry having to say good bye. We were like family.

He thanked us for having the class near his work place. Actually, he didn't have much time to experience Korea and its culture. He worked everyday he didn't have enough time to do something enjoyable. However, after meeting MANNAM, he was able to enjoy studying and learning Korean and its culture. He told me he would like to continue doing volunteer work in his country like he had done with MANNAM.

When light meets light, there is victory. This light makes our societies brighter and brighter. I feel good just thinking about it. Thanks to MANNAM, I received many precious things such as meeting a lot of new people. I would like to let you in on this happiness. When you share your talent with your neighbors, you will lead a bountiful life.



MANNAM Soccer Teams.

Did you feel Spring today here, in Korea? It was just beautiful.

With this wonderful weather, MANNAM soccer match is going to kick off soon!!

So, I'll show you about some information about MANNAM soccer teams.

You can join any teams near your place if you have passion for playing SOCCER! :)

Men & Women's team

KOREA- International Soccer Team

Introduces, Mannam Champions FC Soccer Team.

We are the Headquarter Mannam branch that is located in Seoul, Korea

We have a sports team consisting of five different types of sports. These sports are judo, running, basketball, and ofcourse, our international soccer team located in Korea.

The Mannam Champions FC soccer team has a women's team and a men's team.

Our core purpose of forming a sports team as well as a women's & men's, is ultimately to show the society the typical barriers of the world's most distraught racism & discrimination is slowly breaking down starting from Mannam.

Being able to move together, run together, and love together regardless of color & cultural difference is something to be cherished in today's generation.

Our core purpose of Mannam Champions FC soccer team is to show the world,

peace is possible

today.

International Soccer Teams nearest to you

☞Seoul West Branch (Gyunggi-gimpo)

▶Team Name: MANNAM BUFFALOES

 International Soccer

▶Description: 
MANNAM Buffaloes is a soccer team that runs the west area of Seoul. It Stands for unity and strives toward the goal of world peace through the medium of soccer which is a standard as all the Mannam sports teams do.

 Every Sunday afternoon, the City of Gimpo is full of Mannam buffaloes' International team members. Let's be united and excited through Mannam's fantastic soccer team. The Buffaloes! 



▶Contact: 
Micky (Coach/Manager) 010- 7299-3105

▶Blog: 
http://mannamseoulwest.blogspot.kr

☞Daegu

▶Team Name: MANNAM CHIEFS International Soccer

▶Description: 
Mannam Chiefs consists of foreigners who lives 
in Daegu and Kyung-buk province. Also we are organized to play Soccer with the spirit of mannam for world peace internationally. We are planning to volunteer for local society help and sports in Korea.

▶Contact: Steven (Manager) 010-2223-7020


▶Blog: 
http://www.facebook.com/groups/358498097549240/

☞Gangwon

▶Team Name

: Mannam Braves International Soccer

▶Description: We are Mannam Braves from Gangwon. We open doors to various kinds of international people from all over the world, become one and tide together by sports through the green nature of Gangwon.


▶Contact: Chris (Manager) 010-9120-4532


▶Blog: http://mnbravesfc.wordpress.com/

☞Gwangju

▶Team Name: Mannam Spartans International Soccer

▶Description: We are Mannam Spartans from Gwangju! We are gathering new soccer members and our goal is be one as a team regardless of race and also aim to volunteer to give back to the community in Korea.

▶Contact: John Park (Manager) 010 9666 2133

☞Daejon

▶Team Name: Mannam Hawks International Soccer

▶Description: Mannam Hawks (Galma FC) are a local football team based in Daejeon, Korea. The team is made up of mostly English teachers from various countries around the world along with a few local players. The teams trains once a week and aims to play 2 or 3 full sided games per month. The social aspect of the club is as important as the games and has been a great way for new arrivals to meet lots of fellow waygooks at once. The team also hosts a regular futsal tournament with teams travelling from all over Korea to compete. The proceeds go to a local orphanage where team members volunteer.

▶Contact: Claire Jang (Manager) 010-2579-6626

☞Seoul Gyunggi Bokbu

▶Team Name: Mannam Heros International Soccer

▶Description: The Mannam Heros soccer team represents the Seoul-Gyeonggi district. The members of the team is composed of outstanding students of the Korean Class that is being held every Sunday.

Representing the Mannam that is in Korea headquarters, we aim to spread our peace globally through volunteering starting from our soccer team.

▶Contact: Odbora (Coach) 010-2325-4718

☞Jeolla-bukdo Jeonju

▶ Team Name: Mannam Lions International Soccer

▶ Description:

MANNAM Lions is a soccer team that runs at Jeonju. It Stands for unity and we strive toward the goal of world peace through the medium of soccer which is same as all the Mannam sports teams.

Every Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Jeunju is full of Mannam Lions' International team members. Let's be united and excited through Mannam's fantastic soccer team.

▶ Contact: Kim In Whan (Manager) 010-8485-8494

▶ Facebook Page: Jeonju Mannam

Source: mannamsoccer.blogspot.com

• 

MANNAM K-POP class.

On February 17th Sunday, we had a class!

We had a K-pop class vacation for 2 weeks because of Dong Go Dong Rak and Seolnal. It has been a while since we gathered to dance.

Today we learned ‘I got a boy’ by Girls’ generation!

We learned the dance with passion!

source)mannamkpop.blogspot.com

Awesome!!

It looks tricky but interesting, dosen't it?

This video is from the other branch in Seoul.

I've heard many of you love K-pop and its Dance.

So, I was thinking that MANNAM Jeonju could make a class to learn K-pop dance like the other branches. And we got a chance to do it thanks to some volunteers who are very talented in dance.

The class is going to open soon. Are you ready to join? :))

I'm looking forward to do it so much.

I will post up the details later.

Interested in Korean? (2)

Let's learn about Korean Vowels!

In Korean words, vowels never go the first. But we have "o" which is a consonant has no sound when it goes first of words.

Thus, these “ㅏ” and “아” are the same in sound. But you should use the consonant "o" in writing.

Here, Im putting the letter "o" because I'd like to let you know the right place of vowels, which means the vowels go differently when those are combined with consonants.

You can find it out in the box below.

Korean Vowels

	basic		similar sound (in American English)		with /y/	combination method	similar sound (in American English)
1	아		father	2	야	ㅏ+- =ㅑ	yard
3	어		honest	4	여	ㅓ+- =ㅕ	yawn
5	오		go	6	요	ㅗ+- =ㅛ	yogurt
7	우		who	8	유	ㅜ+- =ㅠ	you
9	으		taken
10	이		teeth
	combination	combination method			with /y/	combination method
11	애	ㅏ+ㅣ=ㅐ	at	12	얘	ㅐ+- =ㅒ	yak
13	에	ㅓ+ㅣ=ㅔ	end	14	예	ㅔ+- =ㅖ	yes
15	와	ㅗ+ㅏ=ㅘ	watch	16	왜	ㅗ+ㅐ =ㅙ	wag
17	워	ㅜ+ㅓ=ㅝ	water	18	웨	ㅜ+ㅔ =ㅞ	wedding
19	외	ㅗ+ㅣ=ㅚ	weight
20	위	ㅜ+ㅣ=ㅟ	we
21	의	ㅡ+ㅣ=ㅢ	gooey

Check out the mouth shapes of basic vowels.

A lot of vowels we have!

But it's going to be easier when you understand the process.

Don't give up!! You can feel Korea and its culture more by understanding the language.

In addition, MANNAM has Korean class every Saturday. The time is 14:00~15:30, 16:00~17:30, and it's FREE!! : D

Please feel free to contact us if you want to join the class.

E-mail: jaekyeongpark@gmail.com

Thank you.

(reference; Korean made easy for beginners)