An essay Ⅳ by a MANNAM Korean Class teacher

I teach Korean for foreign workers at the Wanju Korean Class on Sundays.

Since I started teaching Korean, I have expected that I would see new ones to come and join us every Sunday. One Sunday, as usual, students were waiting for and welcoming us.

When I began the class, I found a new foreign worker in the classroom. He who came to Korea 3 months ago from Sri Lanka was able to read Korean, he had learned Korean for 6 months in his country.

As one starts a crowd, the number of students has continued to grow little by little which brought me to the MANNAM's slogan, "When Light meets Light, there is Victory." I was grateful to them who tried not to miss the class and to improve their Korean skills.

On the way back home after class, there was a beautiful red sunset in the distance, which gave me an impression again. I live a very busy life with no time to spare. However, since I started volunteering, I have seen a special view in my life. I am very satisfied.

Written by

Jae yeon Hwang

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