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)

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 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

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?

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.

A thought about MANNAM with Teogye Lee Hwang

Yesterday, I was listening to the radio on the way driving home. The radio hosts were talking about Teogye Lee Hwang, who was a famous scholar and politician that valued people's virtue. He was admired by many people, and the reason for that was because of his humble and noble character. And then the host continues to tell a story.

When Lee Hwang's son was getting married, it was said that his son's wife came from a household that was well-off than his. Parents of both families met to discuss about the wedding; however, the bride's family immediately disrespected and treated Taegyo Lee Hwang with contempt. One of the bride's family members deliberately poured water on his chair and ordered Taeygo Lee Hwang to clean it up. Taegyo Lee Hwang could've been angry at them for putting him to shame, but he didn't.

This is what he said.

The honor of the family does not go wrong when one says it's wrong. When our family begins to do the same by resenting and quarreling with the other family, that is when the honor of the family goes wrong.

Besides, even if we were to be treated contemptuously and started to hate them back, how troubled my daughter-in-law, who just became a part of the family, would be? For the sake of my daughter-in-law, let's try to put this matter behind us. Several thoughts came to my mind after hearing this. It made me think 'how did I treat those who sent me cold glances,' and 'like the in-laws, was there ever a time that I sent cold glances in situations I didn't know about?'

And then I thought about MANNAM. Regarding this, people do not have a positive view on MANNAM, but is spoken about in an ill-manner. However, the MANNAM that I have felt and seen was not the place people have been claiming that it was. There is no discrimination nor is there a force upon religion. We pursue a world of peace, no war or disputes, but bring different cultures together in unity. This is what MANNAM promotes, and this is the MANNAM that I have felt. I am confident that by participating in MANNAM activities, we will be closer to achieving world peace.  

How must I feel about those who criticize against things that they don't even properly know about? Like Taegyo Lee Hwang, even if the people were to criticize MANNAM, it's wouldn't be right to do the same to them. We must have a heart that is big enough to embrace even these kind of criticisms.

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

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

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.

I love MANNAM!!

Joining MANNAM Volunteer Association is great experience for me.
I go an orphanage with foreign friends and share our time with the children. I help foreigners with Korean. I help some foreigners who are not get used to stay here in Korea. I tell them about Korea and they tell me about their countries.
I feel so happy that I can help people. I can learn from them as well.
Meeting people gives me a lot of lessons. So I love to be one of the MANNAM member :)