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

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.