[MANNAM International] how many languages are in this Earth?

[MANNAM International] how many languages are in this Earth?

Have you ever learn any language other than your first tongue? Perhaps you can speak multi-languages naturally. But for me and so as the many other people around the world, we need to study hard to speak another language. Sometimes learning a new language seems like a never ending process of acquiring new vocabularies (although it is very fun to speak new language once you reach certain level.). Then, have you ever wondered how many languages are in this world?

Right now, there are 7,170,412,884 (according ‘worldometers’ on Aug 7th, 2013) people living together on this single planet, the Earth. And we speak 6,800 different languages according to Linguistic Society of America. 6,800 languages! I was quite shock there are so many unknown languages that I’ve never heard of before.

Isn’t it interesting? The world is so diverse; there are more than 6,800 languages and more than 100 countries living on this single planet. Each country has its own language, races, national and customs.

Once we understand there are such many people and different languages in the world, it is not a surprising thing to see why we are so different compare to each other.

That is why MANNAM is doing cultural clubs to know each other better and make people unit regardless nation, religions, and races.

If we understand each other without any stereotypes, there would be no conflicts

In MANNAM International, we become one under spirit of volunteerism and peace regardless the race, religion, political opinion and nationalities.

Becoming one does not mean we ignore your culture and backgrounds. We MANNAM respect each other’s cultural and differences. MANNAM want to understand each other to establish a peaceful world that everyone is respected by their own natural characteristics.

Through that process, as a pure volunteer organization MANNAM will keep doing what we are best at, helping people in need and achieving peace through understanding each other’s culture.

We can achieve peace through understand and help each other.

Youtube:

' Many Languages, One Hope, MANNAM International'.

Image and reference from:

Linguistic Society of America

1howmany.com http://1howmany.com/how-many-languages-in-the-world

Worldometers.com http://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

[MANNAM] Korean Culture: What Do You Exchange with your Neighbor?

[MANNAM] Korean Culture: What Do You Exchange with your Neighbor?

In modern life, what did you exchange with people today? Money? Products? Or Ideas?

Here is something special to exchange in Korean culture. I will give you a hint. It’s invisible.

In rural areas, neighbors help out on each other’s farm. Helping each other’s works for nothing, we called it “Pum At-i.” “Pum At-i.” means exchange of labor. “Pum” is “work”. “At-i” is “exchange”.   

As developing the tertiary industry, agriculture has declined in Korea. Therefore it is uncommon now like before but it is still exist with the other shape of “Pum At-i.” For example, helping friend in moving to new house, making kimchi together(usually make more than 10 heads of napa cabbage each house at once), featuring in album without no money, etc.

We have regarded mutual help as a virtue. In company, there is a Mutual Aid Society. If some employee has a family event like funeral or wedding. Mutual Aid Society attend and help him.

When I was a kid, I remember my neighbor who was genial middle aged women. She was willing to take care of me in place of hospitalized my mother. After mom came back from hospital, mom said to her “I am so appreciate your help. I don’t know how to repay you for this.” She said, “We need more mutual help in adversity.”

This spirit of mutual help and “Pum At-I” is what the root of MANNAM. MANNAM is exchanging not only labor also a warm heart. Let’s suppose we exchange a warm heart. so all of people got warm heart. Isn’t it easier to make world peace?  

[MANNAM] Misunderstandings

[MANNAM] Misunderstandings

 A child is waiting for his turn in a concert on the back stage. Next turn is his turn. He is waiting anxiously. But soon, his friends and family comes up to him and cheers him. Not only with the words, also gives him courage with a Thumb-up gesture. In this situation, what does the thumb-up gesture mean? You can easy think it is a way to cheer people or a saying ‘You will do fine’, ‘You are the best.’ But this means only in western places. Because if you are a person who lives in the Middle East, you could have thought the meaning is a swear word. That is what the people think in that place.

 Let’s look another example. A Korean who lived in America runs a convenience store. A person comes in and pushes the gun into the face of the owner. The owner is in confusion. “Give me all the money you’ve got!” shouts the robber. Since the owner has his wallet inside in his inner pocket, he tries to pull it out. But the robber thinks the owner is taking out his gun. Unfortunately, at the end of this story, the owner died because of the misunderstanding of culture. If the robber knew Koreans keep their wallets in their inner pockets, and if the owner knew Americans keep their guns in their inner pockets, this kind of disaster would not have happened.

 We live in a world which has many cultures and environments. In one country if something is A, the same thing can be B in another country. So, how can we solve the misunderstandings for other countries and cultures? We need an open mind about things. This is happening in MANNAM. Also we have to care for others. If we only think about my culture and don’t have the thinking of others, this person can only be a person who falls behind. In MANNAM I meet people from all around the world. That is how I knew how to make relationships with people that I never meet before. Especially in cultures, I now know how and why people do such actions. At first, even small things were hard to understand, but while I started to try, I can do better than before. Making peace is not a big thing and a difficult matter. By starting to learn and understand others, that is the key for hope. Learn more in MANNAM!

[MANNAM]MANNAM 2ND VICTORY CUP

GW region also held VICTORY CUP!

Various teams from Healthy, Romantic, Apple and Omanwon city got together and had great match.

Some teams were consist of various nations while some teams were consist of one certain country.

Even though they could not understand each other perfectly, they communicated with their own signs and they made awesome teamwork.

Moreover, they hold out each other's hand no matter it's opposite team, and cheered for each other.

On the field, there was a peace made from each player, and I think it will be a great start to make world peace.

It was possible because we are in MANNAM International that we have same hope to look for which is WORLD PEACE.

On this day, winning or losing was not a big deal.

It will be a precious memory that will remembered forever, which we shared lights, the culture together.

Now, we are looking forward to have next VICTORY CUP!

[MANNAM] Make your heart beating in MANNAM and MIYC!

[MANNAM] Make your heart beating in MANNAM and MIYC!

How are you doing in these days?

I think not only me, but everyone is running around their own cycle.

If there is not really special thing happen, there is no big difference.

Heart beats all the time, but did you had any time that you can feel your heart is beating?

When something is incredible and awesome that touches your mind, you can feel your heart is beating very strongly.

Then, how many times have you had those times?

Actually, I almost didn't had those time a lot before I met MANNAM International.

It doesn't mean I was always boring and didn't had happy time, but compare to how I feel now, I can say there were not special time that I can feel my heart.

However, now, I can confidently introduce you the heart beating work.

It is MANNAM! When I am in MANNAM, joining MANNAM, my heart is always beating strongly.

First, when I am joining MANNAM culture clubs, I feel like I am traveling all around the world.

In that short time, I can experience lots of different cultures.

But the most cool thing is that even we are different, we are looking same thing and work together.

Second, when I go volunteer and do volunteer works. you don't know how exciting it is.

Even though we don't speak same language, we can feel and understand each other when we are sharing love.

By sharing love, we gets warm and with that temperature, we can also warm up the cold world.

Third, I want to introduce one more group. It's MIYC which is a international youth coalition.

As you know MANNAM and MIYC's purpose, we are having many special events for world peace.

As you know, because we are an international group, when we start to make peace in us, this will be the way to make peace in whole world.

There are many international peace groups, but the reason why MANNAM and MIYC are special is that we really gather and work together.

This gathering really inspires each of us and it's motivates us to make world peace.

Even though I don't say why this makes my heart to beat, you can imagine various people being one is amazing things.

So, don't you want to make your heart beating strongly?

For your heart, give chance to have duty to beat as hard as it can.

Once more, I am sure that you will not be disappoint to spend your time with us.

It's not late yet. We are planning awesome project from now on.

Join us! We are hoping to see you on our next event:)

[MANNAM] MANNAM Culture Tour Epilogue #1

First of all, I would like to give thanks to MANNAM organization. Because without MANNAM organization, we never meet each other. Working since for 2 years in Gangneung, before meet you guys I had felt loneliness, helpless and felt like I don’t have such place to call home. But after meeting MANNAM people, I really feel happiness and so excited. About last Sunday, I really had great time with you and MANNAM friend. I had lot fun and enjoyed it very much. The Tofu lunch was my first delicious food in Korea. I ate a lot. I didn’t ride cycling with MANNAM friend, but I enjoyed a lot. I had no idea about this city and Korean culture and language. I gained opportunity to learn everything. I heard about historical place, O-Juk-Heon. I visited there with you guys. It was great visit. I like to say few words. MANNAM people are working so amazingly and feel graceful. MANNAM people’s mindset are so nice.

[MANNAM] Korean Culture: What Do Koreans Eat on a Rainy Day?

Hi, MANNAM International friends! It rained a lot today. Did you bring your umbrella with you? In Korea, people eat a kind of food on a rainy day and do you know what it is? You may have heard about it several times. The name of the food is “Jeon” —Korean pancake.

There are several kinds of “Jeon” in Korea, such as “Nokdu Jeon (mung bean pancake)”, “Gam-ja Jeon (potato pancake)”, “Pa Jeon (green onion pancake)”, “Bu-chu Jeon (Leek pancake)”, and “Ho-bak Jeon (zuccini pancake)”. You can choose your favorite vegetable and make some yourself.

As the reason why Koreans eat “Jeon” on rainy days, have your heard anything about it? As we know, people lived on a farm in the past, so whenever it rained they could not work outside. Then how to spend time on rainy days? At that time, there must be no cinemas, health clubs, or cafes. Here is the Koreans’ solution. On rainy days, Koreans got together at home and cooked “Jeon”, using materials such as flour and vegetables that they can get easily from their warehouse and farm. While eating “Jeon”, they may have a long talk on family history, farmwork, and life in the city.

                                                                                                

Different cultures, interesting stories. In Korean culture, people eat “Jeon” on rainy days. How about in your culture? Do you eat any special food on rainy days? We don’t know each other’s culture until we share it. Members of MANNAM International want to understand your culture. Join us and share your beautiful culture with us.

[MANNAM] Do You Have a Do-jang (Korean Seal)?

Hi, MANNAM International friends? Do you have a Korean name? If so, do you have a Do-jang? As shown in the pictures above Do-jang is a Korean seal with one’s name carved on it.

If you are from Western countries, you may usually write your signature on official documents. While in East Asian countries, people use Do-jang a lot as well as signature.

A Do-jang is usually made of wood, stone, jade, and ivory. In Korea, people usually have a Do-jang with their name in either Chinese character or Korean alphabet. Nowadays, one can also have a Do-jang with his or her English name carved on it. When you have a Do-jang, you can also buy a seal case with Korean traditional textiles.

It is said that a father may give a Korean seal to his son or daughter as a university graduation gift to congratulate them on becoming a working member of society. A Do-jang is also considered to be a good present for foreigners. If you are interested, you can have your own Do-jang with your name in either in Korean alphabet or English. You can also give it to your friends in your homeland as a souvenir.

Different cultures, interesting stories. A Do-jang is an East Asian cultural product. What is your cultural product? We don’t know each other’s culture until we share it. Let’s introduces each one’s culture and make a world full of understanding, respect, and happiness.

[MANNAM] Korean Culture of Birthday Ⅱ: “Dol-jan-chi (First Birthday Celebration)”

Hi, MANNAM International friends! While staying in Korea, have you ever attended in a Korean first birthday celebration? Since it is the first birthday for a baby, his or her parents prepare a lot for it.

On the first birthday, parents invite their relatives, friends, and colleagues and hold a big party. The baby is dressed in “Han-bok (Korean traditional clothes)” which is usually very colorful. Usually, parents will keep the “Han-bok” until their child becomes an adult.

Parents also prepare a big table, on which there is a big birthday cake, all kinds of fruits, flowers, and toys. The big table is called “Dol-sang” in Korean language.

Among the several events during the party, one event what all guests are expecting is “Dol-jab-i” — to see the baby choosing one object usually among a book, a microphone, a small ball, and some cash. Korean people think one’s future job can be predicted according to the object which the baby chooses on the first birthday. For example, if the baby chooses a book, he or she may probably be a scholar or a professor; if a microphone, he or she may be a singer; if a small ball, the infant is very likely to be a sportsman; and if some cash, then the child has a possibility to be a businessman. Nowadays, parents also add a computer mouth for their baby to choose. If the baby chooses the mouse, his or her future job may probably be a computer engineer.

MANNAM International friends, you can also ask your Korean friends what they chose on their first birthday and see if the prediction is correct. Different cultures, interesting stories. We don’t know each other’s culture until we share it. Let’s introduces each one’s culture and make a world full of understanding, respect, and happiness.

[MANNAM] Korean Culture of Birthday I: What Do Koreans Eat On Their Birthdays?

Hi, MANNAM International friends! Have you ever celebrated your birthday in Korea? Then what did you eat besides birthday cake? In Korea, there is one kind of food Koreans must eat on their birthdays and it is “Mi-yok-gook (Seaweed soup)”.

In fact, there is another group of people who eating the soup a lot in Korea. Can you guess who are they? Yes. They are mothers-to-be and mothers who have recently given birth to a baby. Then why do they eat seaweed soup on their birthdays? Seaweed is rich in iodine and calcium, which is good for women health both before and after childbirth. Therefore, the custom of eating seaweed soup can be seen as a way for children to remember their mother’s pain of childbirth and thank them for parental care. [1]

Here is a link for you to learn how to make seaweed soup. On the coming birthday of your mother, you may cook seaweed soup for her to express your appreciation in Korean way.

How to Make Seaweed Soup: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr0MtL1-zng

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[1] Customs. March 27^th, 2013. http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/AK/AK_EN_1_4_9_2.jsp

[MANNAM] Knowing the cultural difference

[MANNAM] Knowing the cultural difference

Have you ever wondered what ‘rice’ means) to Asians? Or 'bread' to westerners?

Both rice and bread are staple diets.

Then what would ‘bread‘ mean to westerners?

It seems like rice means something more than a staple food for Asian.

Then what is different and how is it different?

While I was googling, I found a very good article which explains how bread means to Asians and Westerners.

It gives a good explanation based on the author’s own experience of living in Korea as a foreigner.

I found this article is very interesting, so if you want to read it, below is the direct address to that article.

Source: http://healingmanmam.blogspot.kr/2013/02/mannam-culture-clues-s-korea-and-united.html

[MANNAM Peace Campaign] Let’s Make An “An-nyeong-han (Peaceful)” World Together!

Hi, MANNAM International friends! Do you know how Koreans greet each other? In English speaking countries, people usually ask “How are you?”, “What’s up?”, or “How’s everything going?” While, in Korea, people will ask “An-nyeong-ha-se-yo? (How are you?)”, “Bap- meo-geo-sseo-yo? (Have you eaten rice?)”, or “Eo-di-ga-yo? (Where are you going?)”. In the sentence of “An-nyeong-ha-se-yo?”, “An-nyeong” literally means “peace”.

In fact, these Koran greetings are related to war. In the past, there were so many wars in Korea that it was not easy for people to spend every day peacefully or safely. Nobody knew what would happen in the next minute. People might have to unexpectedly leave their homes, suddenly guard against the enemy, or unfortunately lose their lives. Therefore, when Korean people spent a night and got up the next morning, the first greeting they ask was “An-nyeong-ha-se-yo?” — “Have you spent a peaceful or safe night?”

Sometimes we can consider “war” equal to “no food”. During war time, since people could not do farm work properly, there was a food shortage. As a result, Korean people were often starved. Therefore, when Koreans met each other, they began to ask “Bap- meo-geo-sseo-yo?” as a greeting.

When you came to Korean at first, you may curious why Koreans always ask you “Eo-di-ga-yo?” In some cultures, the question may be considered as a private one. However, in Korean Culture, it is a common greeting which is also related to war. In the past, once there was a war, many Korean people lost their homes and possessions that they had to move from pillar to post. From then on, when they met each other in the street, they would ask “Eo-di-ga-yo?” They may want to ask “Do you know a safe place?”

Simple Korean greetings, but sad history. Imagine you live in a place where you have to go hungry, tremble with fear by bombardment, and live in fear of death every day. Then, we can call the place “a hell”. In the world, is there anybody who wants to live in such a hell? No. MANNAM International friends, to cease wars in the world and build an “An-nyeong-han (Peaceful)” world, let’s work together!

[MANNAM] Chopsticks In East Asian Culture

Hi, MANNAM International friends! How long have you been in Korea? When you first came to Korea, what difficulties did you have? For many MANNAM International friends, using chopsticks may be one of the difficulties to face while living in Korea. Chopsticks are the traditional utensil of East Asian cultures, but there are some differences in length, shape, and material.

Have you ever seen a Japanese person having a meal in Japanese cartoon? When Japanese have a meal, they usually hold their bowls and only use chopsticks. Therefore, chopsticks should be short enough for Japanese people to eat quickly. What’s more, since Japanese eat fish a lot, their chopsticks have sharp point at the end. The sharp point of the chopsticks is useful for Japanese to separate the flesh of fish from bones.

As for the Korean chopsticks, you may be very familiar with them. Japanese and Chinese chopsticks are usually made of wood, but Korean chopsticks are made of metal. People can use metal chopsticks for a longer time compared to wooden ones. Additionally, in order to pick up vegetables with the chopsticks more easily, Koreans use thin and flat chopsticks. In Korean culture, when Korean people have a meal, they use both chopsticks and a spoon.

Among the three countries, Chinese use the longest chopsticks. The long chopsticks can prevent them from burning their hands on stir-fried and hot food. Usually, Chinese chopsticks are made of wood. Wooden chopsticks are very useful for them to pick up rice, noodles, and various dishes.

Chopsticks in Japan, Korea, and China are all different in length, shape, and material. However, when people in these three countries have a meal, a pair of chopsticks is a necessity. Similarly, although members of MANNAM International have diverse cultures, languages, and nationalities, everyone is indispensable for the world peace campaign. With each one’s strengths, MANNAM International will surely achieve world peace. 

[MANNAM] The Korean Culture Of “Woo-ri”

Hi, MANNAM International friends! How long have you been living in Korea? During your stay in Korea, what is the most frequently heard Korean word? As for me, one of the most frequently heard words is “Woo-ri”. “Woo-ri” means we, our, us, ours or ourselves. Koreans use “Woo-ri” so often that you can hear it whenever and wherever. “Woo-ri Na-ra (our country)”, “Woo-ri Seon-su (our athletes)” “Woo-ri Mal (our language)”, “Woo-ri Gul (our alphabet)”, “Woo-ri Ssal (our rice)” and so on.

In fact, you can say “Korea” instead of “Woo-ri Na-ra” or use “Korean Athletes” rather than “Woo-ri Seon-su”. There is no difference in meaning. However, when you hear “Woo-ri Na-ra”, “Woo-ri Seon-su”, or “Woo-ri Mal”, you can feel the Korean people’s love, responsibility, and loyalty to their country and cohesiveness, unity, and oneness among Korean people.

As members of MANNAM International Volunteer Association, we all work together to embody the spirit of pure volunteerism and promote unity among the peoples and the cultures of the world. In a word, MANNAM International is doing a great work not only for us but for the world.

To do a great work as a group, all MANNAM International members should be cohesive, united, and work as one. That is the culture of “Woo-ri”. Also, to do a great work for the world, we need love, responsibility, and loyalty to the world. That is the spirit of “Woo-ri”. Above all, the reason why MANNAM International does a great work for the world is there is only one world and it belongs to everyone in the world. In Korean, we can say “Woo-ri Se-gye (our world)”.

[MANNAM] Culture through food: MANNAM Korean Cooking Class

What is food?

According to online dictionary, food is any solid substance that is used as a source of nourishment.

Really? Do you think that is all about the food?

When we look deeper, food isn't only the substance that provides nutrient to our body.

Food contains the history and culture of that country.

For example, when we eat kebab, it reminds us Turkey.

The ingredient of food also show the cultural aspect of that country, if the country is geographically near the ocean, then its food are mostly made of seafood that can easily get from sea.

The taste of food also portrays the characteristic of that country.

When you try Thai food, it has its unique sour, sweet and spicy taste!

Thai food is usually salty because Thai people need to intake missing natrium due to sweat from hot tropical weather.

Like I mentioned all above, food can be one of symbolic items to represent a country.

As it is, trying out local food is one of ways of directly experiencing the culture.

Then, how about cooking the local food? Why? Does it sound difficult because you do not know how to cook it?

That is why MANNAM intentional offers Korean Cooking Class, so many expacts who live in Korea can have chances and experience to cook Korean food!

So if you want to learn how to cook Korean food or want to try it, MANNAM provides an amazing cooking class as one of our culture clubs.

Here is the youtube video about how to cook Kimchi Stew, which was taught during the MANNAM Korean Cooking Class!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMjBDAmgWTk

For more information, this is the website of MANNAM Korean cooking class.

You. http://www.mannamcooking.com/

[MANNAM] A Peaceful World: Where There Is Only Good News

Hello, MANNAM International friends! Did you spend a good Dae-bo-reum (literally "Great Full Moon") during the weekend? How did you celebrate it? Did you catch the first rise of the moon to have good luck all year? Or did you crack nuts to keep your teeth healthy for the year? There were several customs and traditions very special for foreigners and drinking Gwi-balgi-sul (귀밝이술) was among one of them.

Gwi-balgi-sul is a combination of gwi (ears), balgi (clearning), and sul (alcohol/liquor). It is a cold, clear, strained rice wine. People drink it on the morning of Dae-bo-reum, since they believe that Gwi-balgi-sul will help them to have healthy ears and hear only good news during the whole year! To hear only good news, it isn’t only wishes of Korean people. It is wishes of all MAMMAM International members and also wishes of people all over the world.

Today, there are still people who are suffering from war. Because of war, more problems such as poverty, diseases, and even death threat their life. To them, ceasing the war is undoubtedly the good news. For the good news, there will be many people who are struggling for it at this very moment. MANNAM International will also try our best to cease wars in the world.

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Korea Be Inspired. Feb. 27^th.  http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/FU/FU_EN_15.jsp?cid=1797059

MANNAM Have you ever look up the moon in the sky today?

MANNAM Have you looked up the moon in the sky?

Have you looked up the moon in the sky?

I’m not sure whether you looked it up or not, but it was full moon tonight,

 Today’s moon was a little more special than normal one

It was the first full-moon since lunar new year began.

You might think the shape of the moon is not so important, but this is Korean holiday.

It is called 대보름 (Dae-bo-reum, which literally means ‘Great Full Moon’.

It is the day that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the Korean lunar calendar.                                

On this Dae-bo-reum, the Great Full Moon day, there are some traditional customs and cultural games.

As one of the traditions, people burn the dry grass on the rice fields. Children also whirl around the cans with holes, with fire in it. This action fertilizes the fields and gets rid of the harmful worms that destroy the new crops. It is called 쥐불놀이(Geuy-bul-no-ri).

To celebrate the full moon, people stand beside each other and make a big circle to dance together.

Most of all, the highlight of the Dae-bo-reum (full moon day), is Burning Dal-jip (달집).

Dal-jip is a heap of straw or twigs. Some of them are tall as 30m.

Around Dal-jip, people tie the paper one which their wishes are written.

On the first full moon day, people write their own wishes and burn heap of straw to ward off their misfortune and bring good luck.

They wish for good luck and no one wants misfortune or bad luck, because they don’t want to live a miserable life.

What is your wish? Living a healthy life? Or making a fortune?

Those wishes are also good, but how about making a small wish for people you don’t know yet?

Most of people make a wish for themselves, or for their beloved family.

However, not many people make a wish for others.

Tonight with the full moon, how about making a small wish for people who live in the opposite position of your country?

You don’t know them, but as we are living in the same global village, it would be nice to wish for someone you don’t know.

It might sound strange to you, but wouldn’t you feel good if someone is wishing a good luck for you, even those person who do not know you?

So, why don’t we make a small wish for the others, underneath the first full-moon?

MANNAM: Victory Sign For Peace!

Can you make a V-sign with your fingers? Which fingers are you using to make a V-shape? Are you using your second and third finger? In MANNAM, there is a special way of making a V-sign.

                                  

MANNAM victory sign looks like this! We use thumb and the second finger to make a V-figure, instead of using the second and middle fingers. MANNAM's V-sign stands for our slogan “When Light Meets Light, There Is Victory!”

I will tell you how this slogan can be related with V-sign. Firstly, the 'light' in MANNAM's slogan refers to the culture of individuals. Then point you with the thumb, this action refers to the 'light of yourself'. Secondly, point others with the second finger, which represents the 'light of others’. The overall shape of V-shape represents the victory that is created by the lights of you and others.  As our slogan, when the light, your culture meets another light, the culture of others, it creates the victory!

So next time when you take a picture, remember MANNAM's Victory-sign, which represents our slogan!

VICTORY!

Happy Valentine's Day To MANNAM Friends

Hello, MANNAM friends!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today is February 14^th which is internationally known for St.Valentine Day.

People give chocolates or flowers to their friends, family and especially to their lovers in a way of expressing their love. How was your day, did you give chocolates to others?

Many of us celebrate St. Valentine’s Day with exchanging chocolates to each other.

On the other hand, how much do we know about the origin of Valentine day?

Its origin goes back to the third century in the time of Roman Empire.

At that time, people couldn’t get marriage without the permission of Emperor because Emperor Claudius II thought that single men made better soldier than those with wife or family.

Saint Valentines wanted to help many young lovers who couldn’t get marriage despite they loved each other. Therefore he performed the marriages for young couples. 

Unfortunately his action outraged Emperor and was excused.

After his sacrifices, people commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death. The custom is presenting chocolates came from the anecdote that Valentine often gave chocolate gift to the daughter of jailor.

Now we have more understanding about Valentine’s Day. As MANNAM members, I hope you remind that today is more than a day of exchanging chocolate. Since Valentine’s Day began from the sacrifices and caring heart of Valentine, why don’t we commemorate Valentine Day by MANNAM(meeting) people and share your love? It can be your friends who you didn’t meet for a while, or your grandparents who you didn’t contact for a while! Sometimes meeting somebody makes your happier than receiving a gift!!

 I hope all of you to have a wonderful Valentine’s Day that shares love to someone near you!

Happy Valentine Day!!

Copyright ⓒ Dater News

http://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day

MANNAM Volunteer Work : Making Kimchi For People In Need!

Hello, MANNAM friends!

Let me ask a simple question to you, what will be the most loved side dish in Korea?

Yes!, that's right. It's Kimchi!

Kimchi gets along well with any kind of Korean food too!

Then, what happens if you are run out of Kimchi? :-(

Then we do Kimgang(김장)!  

Kimgang(김장) is an event for making kimchi in large quantities so that it may be stored and eaten during the winter. Since kimchi is the most basic side dish in Korean dining, this is considered a major family event in preparation for the cold season.[1]

So as a MANNAM family, we did Kimgang(김장) for people who needs Kimchi.

In Korean culture, mother sometimes make Kimchi to send it to her daughter who lives far away or to her daughter in-law. It is a way how mother express her love.

Also among siblings, they also share Kimchi to one who are too busy to do Kimgang(김장)

Making Kimchi isn't only about preparing food for winter, but it brings family together in the process of making kimchi, and also shares love.   

Through 'MANNAM meets Kimchi' volunteering event, volunteers made Kimchi and delivered it to people in need.

When you eat Kimchi next time, I hope you think about culture of sharing love through Kimgang!

Here is a video of MANNAM people making Kimchi and delivering it to people in need.

MANNAM meets Kimchi  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCDKBvxK-xE

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[1] Naver dictionary http://endic.naver.com/krenEntry.nhn?entryId=c8faaf77d1514ccc9d69d7555d25b2f2