MANNAM Korean class - An essay Ⅴ by a MANNAM Korean Class teacher

When I started the Korean class in the Wanju center last Sunday, I noticed two Nepaleses did not look fine, who seemed to have some problems. They said that they would be transferred to Cheonan for the work in the first week of May.

For seven months of the Korean class I have really become attached to all of the students in the Korean class. Therefore, I was so sorry to hear that they would leave for another place soon.

In addition, they expressed their wish to continue the Korean class through MANNAM even after moving to Cheonan. I was willing to introduce Mannam in Cheonan. In the Wanju Korean class through MANNAM, they have been one little light. Now, I hope they make an effort and achieve a victory so that they become the brighter one through another MANNAM in Cheonan.

Written by

Hwang, Jae-yeon

MANNAM Korean style : Korean traditional house

Hello, there!!

It's so nice outside. I'm falling in love with nature these days. lol

And I would like to share you this Korean traditional house.

I will try to make some photo zone here so you can see the beauty of Korea.

Please enjoy!!

MANNAM Jeounju - Jeondong Catholic Church

A weekend ago I went to Jeonju with a group of people from Church to see one of the most famous Catholic churches in South Korea.

That is Jeondong Catholic Church which is one of tourist attraction in Jeonju, city of traditional beauty and food.

Jeondong Catholic Church in Jeonju is located in the entrance of Jeonju Hanok Village(Traditional Korean House). Jeondong Catholic Church in Jeonju was built in honor of Roman Catholic martyrs of the Joseon Dynasty on the very same spot the martyrs lost their lives. The land was purchased by French Priest Baudenet in 1891, but construction of the church did not begin until 1908. The church was designed by Priest Poinel, who also designed the famous Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Construction was completed in 1914, a time during which Korea was under Japanese rule. Though originally built just outside of Pungnammun Gate, the site of the martyrs, the church was later moved to its current location for expansion.

The first Romanesque building in the Honam(the southwestern section of Korea) region, the Jeondong Catholic Church was made of gray and red bricks and bears a striking resemblance to the Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. Not only considered one of the most beautiful Catholic churches in Korea, some even go so far as to say it is one of the most beautiful structures in all of Korea, citing the church’s unique combination of Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles. The rectangular building is topped with three Byzantine bell towers (to the right, center, and left) and boasts arched ceilings, several of which meet in the form of a cross.

Seems like a very important church!
Why don't you come and check out how beautiful it is? :)

Jeonju MANNAM : Jeonju International Film Festival

I will introduce today concerning Jeonju International Film Festival which is celebrated 14th anniversary.

JIFF(Jeonju International Film Festival)has been arranged and hosted by JIFF Organizing Committee. JIFF, with its goal to lead ‘A Beautiful Change of the World through Cinema’ under the slogan of ‘Digital Alternative and Independence’ at its start in 2000, has always searched and introduced challenging and creative films which are distant from main stream films and made its position firm as one of the most recognized film festivals focusing on alternative and independent films in the world.

It gets underway on April 25 with its opening film 'Fox Fire', the new film from Laurent Canet, who was behind the 2008 Palme d'Or winner 'The Class' and will also serve as the president of this year's international jury. The opening film, an adaptation of 'Fox Fire': Confessions of a Girl Gang' by Joyce Carol Oates, is about young girls forming a gang.

JIFF will come to a close on May 3 with a screening of Haifaa Al Mansour's Wadjda, the first Saudi Arabian film to be directed by a woman. Wadjda has gained a lot of attention so far. It tells a story of a ten-year-old Saudi girl who dreams of having a green bicycle and overcomes social taboos to get the bike.

◇ OFFICIAL TITLE : The 14th Jeonju International Film Festival

◇ TYPE OF FESTIVAL : Non-competitive/Partially Competitive International Film Festival

◇ SCALE :

  -Screening : 178 film from 46 countries (117 features, 61 shorts) /

  -Program Event Screening : 12 films (3 features, 9 shorts)

  -World Premiere : 45 films (17 features, 28 shorts)

  -International Premiere : 18 films (10 features, 8 shorts)

  -Asian Premiere : 55 films (45 features, 10 shorts)

◇ For more information details follow http://www.jiff.or.kr/ this link.

MIYC event: 10Km in their shoes

MIYC was formed with groups of young people. Last Sunday (April 21), MIYC hosted the event, '10Km in Their Shoes'. A lot of foreigners were invited and spent time together. The theme of this event was 'Pledge of Peace' and there also was a ceremony of MIYC.

To be honest, many people hardly think about peace in their normal life.

So this event provided people with a chance to think of the significance of peace and enabled them to imagine the world with no war.

MANNAM put on an eye-catching card section and performed with wonderful dancing to celebrate it.

After finishing walking, the participants were given the souvenirs made with their own fingerprints to celebrate their walking completion.

Plus, a figure adorned with the participants' fingerprints was built to add to the amusement. Then, there was a trip to the zoo where people had an enjoyable time.

On a peaceful day, it was a joyful and meaningful time for the pledge of peace mingling with foreigners.

MANNAM peace: Boy killed in Boston blast wrote..

Boy killed in Boston blast wrote,

'No more hurting people. 

"Peace"

Almost a year ago, 8-year-old Martin Richard wrote four simple words on a sign at school.

"No more hurting people," it said.

For the camera, he held up the bright blue sign decorated with hearts framing the word "Peace."

It's a photograph that many find difficult to look at Tuesday as they struggle to comprehend the violence that took Martin's life.

On Monday, the boy and his family were watching the Boston Marathon near the finish line when two bombs exploded just off Copley Square in the heart of the city. Martin's mother, Denise Richard underwent surgery for an injury to her brain, and Martin's 6-year-old sister lost her leg. Both were still hospitalized.

The boy's father, William Richard, said.

"My dear son Martin has died from injuries sustained in the attack on Boston. My wife and daughter are both recovering from serious injuries. We thank our family and friends, those we know and those we have never met, for their thoughts and prayers. I ask that you continue to pray for my family as we remember Martin. We also ask for your patience and for privacy as we work to simultaneously grieve and recover. Thank you."

Source : CNN News

「No more hurting people. "PEACE"」

When I saw the message the boy held, I felt sorrowful.

A tragic incident was happened just this week in order to express the terrorists' anger.

I don't want to know why they did this crazy job. Just I want to know why should they have chosen the way. Why did they target the innocent people.....

The terrorists must have their own families. They couldn't do this if the their families were there because they would love theirs.

What if every one regards others all around the world as a family? Then the world may be full of love. It would be wonderful when we make a concession a little bit and understand one another like a family.

Like the pure kid's hope, I hope the world peace. It's the reason why I'm volunteering at MANNAM Volunteer Association. MANNAM grounds 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.

That is the vision of MANNAM and it's my vision as well. I sincerely wish the whole world can become one with love and peace. And I wish every one is happy through experiencing MANNAM.

No more hurting people...

I wish we can grant the pure boy's hope.

Written by

Hwang, Jae-yeon

MANNAM Peace: What is the world you have been longing for?

What is the world you have been longing for? what is the world you would like to hand down for your descendants? People wish for peace but think it is like a dream which is difficult to come true. However, if these little dreams come together, what would happen?

 In the late 1990s there came the financial crisis called the IMF crisis in Korea. Due to the economic depression, many people lost their jobs and the crime rate increased rapidly.

Korea submerged into the desperate situation. However, people wanted to take their country out of this situation. Somebody's little wish to save their own country turned out to become our wish to save our own country. Along the way, the gold collection campaign started in the wish of saving country and spread nationwide. It had played an important role in Korea's economic recovery.

Likewise, it would be impossible for just one to make something happen, but possible for all of us to do so. I believe it is the same as peace. You wonder how peace can be achieved. MANNAM, the volunteer association, has done many things for the peace achievement. For example, last September, MANNAM held the World Peace Festival and representatives of various countries across the globe, such as diplomats, world leaders and international press, were in attendance and many brought their families and friends to this event. It was held in order to demonstrate the spirit of peace and join with others in the same goal. This year Mannam plans to found a youth organization and perform its ceremony for the sake of cessation of war.

The slogan of MANNAM, 'When light meets light, there is victory', is being built up by us. The peaceful world which everyone wants and we have to hand down for our descendants!

Would you join us to make it together?

MANNAM Korean: Different Names for Hangeul

Hello, MANNAM friends!

The other day, I posted about Hangeul Day and I'm going to let you know more about Korean today.

This is a story about changing names of Korean letters.

I would like to share it with you.

When Han-geul was first invented, it was named 'Hoon Min Jung Um(훈민정음)' by King Sejong. It means "The true sound(letters) to be used to teach people". However, the noble people at that time did not welcome the advent of Han-geul, and since they were imbued with the view that China is the center of the world, they kept an attitude of despising Han-geul compared to Chinese characters and writings.

Therefore, Chinese characters and writings were called 'Jinseo(진서)-meaning true letters' whereas Han-geul was often called 'Unmun(언문)' And there are some views that Han-geul was called 'Amkul(암클)' because it was mainly used by women, or 'Ahatkul(아했글)' because it was only for the use of children who did not learned Chinese characters. However, we cannot confirm whether the names were actually used because there is no clear record of use of the names 'Amkul' or 'Ahatkul'.

During the civilization period, names like 'Jung Um(정음)', 'Gook Mun(국문)' were often used due to the high valuation of Han-geul, letters native to Korea, as people began to cherish national spirit. Joo Shi Kyung seems to be the first who named Korean letters 'Han-geul'. Joo Shi Kyung devoted himself to educating and studying Korean language and letters with great affection for them. He began to use terms such as 'Han Nara Gul(한나라글), Han Nara Mal(한나라말), Han Mal(한말)', and he changed the names of 'Bae Dal Mal Gul Mot Um(배달말글 몯음)' or 'Chosun O Kangsup Won(조선어 강습원)' to 'Han-geul Mo(한글모)', 'Han-geul Bae Got(한글배곧)', and he also wrote 'Han-geul Pul Iee(한글풀이)' for the children's magazine 'Aidle Boy(아이들보이)'(1913. 9) The name 'Han-geul' was generalized since then.

The source : The National Institute of the Korean Language

MANNAM Peace; We are working on it to achieve Peace.

Nowadays, in Korea, there is a gentle spring breeze and flowers in full bloom that make people's heart flutter. However, situations in Korea do not seem to settle down.

South and North korean use the same language and live in the same land. But both South and North have lived divided for over half a century. At the present day, South Korea is paying sharp attention to North Korea due to their threat of a nuclear weapon.

What makes it happen? We have heard "The world is one" without any difficulty since we were young. However, it is not difficult to realize that the world is not one. Before I met MANNAM Volunteer Association, I didn't even think about that we can unite the world into one. Now I am sure what we need acutely, in order to unite the world, is "Peace".

We, MANNAM, aim for "Peace" and try very hard to actualize it. Peace is not a dream which can't come true. Peace can be made! MANNAM hosted the World Peace Festival on 16th September last year with Honorary President Man Hee Lee and Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim for all who desire peace without discrimination of race, border, religion etc.

It was the peace movement.

I expect that world peace will be achieved in MANNAM by all of the Mannam members.

♬♩ Everytime we give it all

we feel the flame eternally inside us

lift our hands up to the sky

the morning calm helps us to

live in harmony for all time

Hand in hand we stand

all a cross the land

we can make this world a better

place in which to live

Hand in hand we can

start to understand

breaking down the walls that

come between us for all time

Arirang

Hand in hand we stand

all a cross the land

we can make this world a better

place in which to live

Hand in hand we can

start to understand

breaking down the walls that

come between us for all time

Hand in hand

Hand in hand

Hand in hand ♫♪

1988 Seoul Olympic Official Song - Hand in Hand (song by Koreana)

(The 24th Olympic Games, Sep 17 - Oct 2, 1988)

MANNAM Sports: Ready to play soccer?

Apr. 7, 2013, MANNAM Jeonju branch opened the soccer class! Wow! :D

I was worried that it might rain that day, but we were lucky it did not.

The sun came out but it was still chilly outside. Which is good for players to exercise, right?

Bunch of chinese guys, two of Nepalese, and an Uzbekistan came to play that time.

It had been so long time since they played game, they looked so excited.

See? They were exercising so hard. I saw this players never took a break even at break time!!

They seemed to love playing soccer that much.

Take it easy!

A player got injured but fortunately, it wasn't serious.

We sprayed some medicine that we had brought.

Last year, one of players had got serious injury during a game, and had an operation.

I hope not to have this kind of accident this year again.

MANNAM LIONS! It is the name of our team. :)

I think they are very nice players as it's name. We can win the Victory Cup next time!!

It is saying that sports makes the world one.

And among the sports, soccer might be the most famous sports all around the world.

I wish we can understand one another and share our culture through MANNAM soccer team.

MANNAM Volunteer group: the Handprint Flag

The World’s best handprint Korean Flag!!

Entered in the Korean Genus book of record. The world’s largest handprint Korean Flag is kept preserved in the National Cemetery. Width 60m x Length 40m, a total of 17,337 people participated.

The world's largest Korean flag, made by handprints, was listed in the Korean Guinness Book on 2009, July 18th.

From Children's Day(May5th) when the Korean flag was simply a pure-white sheet, till the completion of the flag, it stayed on displayed at the Olympic Park Peace Plaza, where every country’s flags exist. This was a precious time of sharing for citizens of Korea to confirm their love of the Korean flag, without distinction of gender, age, or nationality. It was a moment in which Korea and the world could become one, by gathering people’s hearts and participating in the simple action of handprinting. Departed patriots would have felt proud by seeing the super sized Korean flag preserved in the national cemetery.

It was a long ago. I wasn't the member of MANNAM that time. But I'm sure this could be an awesome event. :-)

I post it because I want to let you know MANNAM has been doing a big event almost every year. Through this, MANNAM shows people that we can make the peaceful world. It desires the better world which is everyone's wish.

So, why don't you join and make the better world?

MANNAM Korean: Hangeul Day.

MANNAM volunteer association has been teaching Korean language for free. The reason why we are doing this is to make foreigners staying in Korea feel easier by learning Korean language. Although there are so many foreigners in this country, many of places and roads have no English translations, and there aren't  many Koreans who are able to speak English. I've seen lots of troubles because of it.

So,,, we are here to help you! :D

Today, I'd like to let you know about the origin of Hangeul(Korean letters') day.

If you've been learning Korean or interested in it, it would be good to know its history commonsensically.

The Origin of Hangeul Day

There were many complications in the history of designation of Han-geul Day on 9th October as today. Since King Sejong performed the project of inventing Han-geul secretly, there is no evident record related to the invention of Han-geul even in the authentic history. Although it is common to record the events connected with kings with exact dates, the record related to invention of Han-geul is not seen at all in the authentic history until the end of December of 1443(King Sejong 25). It just says without the date that 'the king invented 28 Un Mun(언문) this month'. 

And then after 3 years, at the end of September 1446(King Sejong 28), the record 'Hoon Min Jung Um(훈민정음) was completed this month' is seen without the date, either. These two records confused contemporary scholars a bit. So, they interpreted that Han-geul was first invented in December of 1443 but it was completed in September of 1446 after 3 years of modification and supplement. Thus they thought it would be better to take the invention time of Han-geul September 1446 rather than December 1443. Since the exact date of September was not recorded in the authentic history however, they just assumed the last day of the month and fixed Han-geul Day on 29th of October by converting it into solar calendar.  

In 1940's, Bang Jong Hyun(방종현) pointed out the record of September 1446 should be interpreted as meaning completion of the book {Hoon Min Jung Um(훈민정음)} (so called HaeRyeBon(해례본)) rather than completion of Han-geul itself as letters. Being embarrassed, the scholars who misinterpreted the record of September 1446 made an excuse that the designation of Han-geul Day was not totally wrong because Hoon Min Jung Um was promulgated in September 1446. 

Thereupon Han-geul Day had been maintained on 29th of October. However, the assertion that Hoon Min Jung Um was promulgated in September 1446 is also groundless. The record of September 1446 is about reporting the completion of a manuscript of HaeRyeBon(해례본) to King Sejong. It usually took several months for the books to be published and granted to the vassals even after a manuscript was completed. Consequently, Hoon Min Jung Um could never have been promulgated in September 1446.

Even though there are some places in which hang the picture 'the promulgation of Hoon Min Jung Um' on the wall, there is no record of any official events of promulgation of Hoon Min Jung Um by King Sejong. In short, designation of Han-geul Day on 29th of October stemmed from misinterpretation of historical records.

The original copy of Hoon Min Jung Um HaeRyeBon(훈민정음 해례본) was found afterwards. The date is written as 'the first part of September in the 28th year of King Sejong' in the preface by Jung In Ji. Although it was not the exact date either, it provided them with the necessity to shift approximately 20 days ahead from the last day of September. Therefore, Han-geul Day was fixed on the 9th of October moving 20 days ahead from 29th of October.

 

Although there were a lot of meanderings and happenings in the process of designation of Han-geul Day, it is true that all Korean people need a commemoration day to remember the intention of King Sejong and the scientific excellence of Han-geul. It is said that a linguist in the United States throw a party every year to commemorate the day on which the greatest character in the world was invented. Not only on Han-geul Day, but sometimes we need to be grateful to Han-geul for allowing us to live more comfortable lives.

The source : The National Institute of the Korean Language

Earth Day and MANNAM

Do you know what April 22 means? It's Earth Day!

Earth Day was founded by John McConnell in 1970 as a way to bring people's attention to the environmental problems. Earth Day started in San Francisco, and now many countries over the world celebrate Earth Day.

Most people around the world live modern lives driving cars and working in offices. Modern lives give us a very comfortable life. However, they are not all it's cracked up to be.

Our lives are very different from those of our ancestors. People have pursued a more convenient life and exploited the environment in order to achieve their goal. As a result, human's life has changed a lot from that of its beginning. Environments like Land, air, water which are necessary for life on earth are destroyed. Now people are paying the price for their reckless destruction of nature and endless greed suffering from a variety of the environmental pollutions like land, air and water as well as the natural disaster such as an earthquake, a flood and a drought.

It is very meaningful to celebrate Earth day. Nature is not the object of the exploitation, but the being together with us. Nature will return to us as much as we love and prevent it so that human and nature will go on forever.

We receive for free beautiful and vast nature that our ancestors did not pollute. Therefore, we ought to give it back to our descendants as our ancestors did.

MANNAM will increase awareness and care for our planet!

One of our actions to care the Earth is a Tree Planting.

Here is the details.

▷Time: 2-5PM Saturday, 13rd April 2013.

▷Venue: Exit 1, Line 6, Sangam World Cup Stadium Station.

▷Preparation: Personal snacks and water, Suitable clothes, shoes and cap(The hill where we will plant a tree is high)

▷Donation: We receive donations from some corporations. Please donate your precious time!:D

MANNAM) National Tree Planting day in Korea

Today, April. 5th is National Tree Planting day in Korea.

To celebrate this, Korea Forest Service has distributed seedlings to people throughout the nation.

Here is an article related it.

Nambu Forest Service said a lot of citizens took part in the event of "Have my own tree" co-hosted with Andong-si and were given trees free at the parking lot of the riverside of the Nakdong river before Andong Youth Center at 10 am on Tuesday, May 2.

Thru this event, about 48000 trees including pine trees, apricot trees, hovenia trees, walnut trees were distributed in 5 trees per person on a first-come first-served basis. In addition, the signature campaign for the fire prevention was also taken place in consideration that spring is the most fire-prone season.

Nambu Forest Service Director Kim Pan-suk said, "We promoted this event in the hope that the local people think the importance of the trees and forest by planing and taking care of trees themselves. It would be good to plant a tree with family even in a busy life."

source: www.forest.go.kr

What an awesome campaign!!

It could be so nice to have my own tree through this.

Similarly, MANNAM Volunteers always want to do something for world as well.

So, why don't we get some seedlings and plant them nearby our places?

I think the earth would say "thank you!" to us. :)

The 2nd MANNAM Victory Cup in Daejoen.

May. 3. 2013, MANNAM Jeonju branch players took part in Victory Cup Basketball league in Daejeon. There were bunch of people waited for us to welcome. It had been a long time since we met members from other branches. I was excited.

At first, the match was started with the opening ceremony. MANNAM members and some cheerleaders cheered us with dancing. We played a game after the ceremony.

It wasn't a nice game for us. Since it was winter time, our players hadn't practiced at all. I was thinking that we would be lucky. However, sadly, the opponent team was so professional that we lost the game. I was sorry for my team members.

Although we lost, we played the game fairly. And no matter what we did, I was glad I could participate this MANNAM match. Because a part of the entry fee we had paid would be donated to the people in need. I was also happy that I could help neighbors in need through doing my favorite sport.

MANNAM had been doing many meaningful works now and in a future as well. Like the meaning of the word "MANNAM" in Korean, which is "meeting", I expect to meet more great event and nice people in MANNAM Volunteer Association.

Written by

Min uk Choi

MANNAM) 10Km in their shoes; Pledge of Peace

Good day!
I would like to invite you to our first national event of 2013, which is going to be hosted by MANNAM International Youth Coalition.

Currently with 82 affiliates around the globe MIYC youth are determined to bring peace, a lasting peace, the kind we have only dared to imagine until now.


10Km in their shoes, as in previous years, will be an awareness campaign. This year youth organisations across the globe will be participating at different locations, all aiming to sound a clear message of their strong stance against wars. All participants will be walking to show their support for specific countries who are still struggling with ongoing wars, or the after effects of recent conflict. Through the 10km walk and the MIYC peace pledge the youth within Korea and abroad will show all nations how we wish to actively pursue peace.



10Km in their shoes~ Pledge of Peace

Event details:

● Time : 13:00pm - 16:00pm

● Date : Sunday, April 21, 2013

● Venue : Seoul Grand Park (Seoul Grand Park stn. Line 4 - Exit 2)

● Program :
   Hear from multiple cultures youth representatives concerning peace
  10K walk
  Thumbprint flag: make your mark to end war

● Extra info : Photo Booth
   T-shirt sales
   Bring own snacks

● Registration fee : 5,000won (Including park entrance fee)

JOIN US!



The world leaders of tomorrow are our PEACE LEADERS OF TODAY!


Registration for the event:
- Via email: volunteers@mannamintl.org (with your name and mobile number)
- Title the email: "10km in their shoes"

First 100 people to register get free event T-shirt
(You will be notified through the contact details you provide)


Inquiry of official application and affiliation for MIYC :
Nadine - youth@mannamintl.org


Warmest Regards
Mannam Volunteer Association