Let's get to know Korean Lunar New Year with MANNAM

Let's get to know Korean Lunar New Year with MANNAM

 

 새해 복 많이 받으세요! (Sae hae bok mani badousaeyo) Happy New Year! Wait a minute didn’t we say this about one month ago? For almost all the countries in Asia celebrate the New Year in Lunar calendar. It is different every year but almost it is in January or February. In Korea we call this holiday ‘설날(seulnal)’. So Koreans celebrate the first day of January these days, but also ‘설날’ which they celebrated for a long time. Then, what do people do on ‘설날’? Maybe there are some special things that they do on ‘설날’ Let’s find out one by one.

 

 When making the calendar there are two ways of counting the dates. One is using the sun (Solar calendar) and the other is counting by the moon (Lunar calendar). In many places in Asia, Asians believe that the lunar calendar is more appropriate counting days. So many countries use this calendar in their country. In Korea, lunar calendar is used also for the New Year’s Day. The holiday is for 3 days, before and after ‘설날’.

Even if you live far apart from your parents or not, all the family gather in the ‘big house’ where the elders are. That is why you see many traffic jams on the road especially on this holiday. People do not care about the tiredness of the road, they travel to meet and greet their parents. Because Korea has customs to respect the elders, they want to greet their elders in their family in the first day of the year. This is why the do memorial services to their ancestors and deep bow to parents. If you do this the elders give money in return. This is ‘세뱃돈’.

 

< Deep bow(큰절) & 세뱃돈 >

 

 In ‘설날’ also they eat ‘떡국’. This is made of rice cake in a soup. If you eat one bowl of this, people say you became one year old. Also, when the family gather in one place, they play traditional games like ‘널뛰기, 연날리기, 윷놀이’.

 

< 떡국 (soup of rice cake) >

 

If I didn’t meet International friends in MANNAM, maybe I only know about my counties holidays and only the way how to celebrate it. But since I meet many people from other counties in MANNAM, I know a lot of things about how people celebrate the New Year’s Day all around the world. It doesn’t matter if the solar or the lunar calendar is right or wrong. All that matters is that because it is one of the cultures in every country, we must respect each kind. It is good to settle you mind and feeling again in the lunar New Year. It is a good chance to renew your mind and thinking by making a promise to yourself.

출저: Nongmin Newspaper, http://www.nongmin.com/article/ar_detail.htm?ar_id=213191
떡국이미지 출저: Boston Korea, http://bostonkorea.com/news.php?mode=view&num=13897

[MANNAM Heal the world] Rise of the MANNAM Guardians!

[MANNAM Heal the world] Rise of the MANNAM Guardians!

One rainy day, after deciding instead of picking trash in a rainy day, MANNAM friends choose to watch movie in the MANNAM office. Because it was a decision that was made in a moment everyone wondered what to watch. So MANNAM friends decide to watch the movie that people wanted to see on movie night before. The movie was “Rise of the Guardians.” Have you heard or saw it before?

Like the title Guardians is a person who guards stuff or people. Can you guess which characters that comes out of this movie? Like some people think, yes. There is Santa Clause and the sand man. Who else? You can find the tooth fairy and the Easter bunny also. The four Guardians live eternally helping children by giving them hope and joy. They survive because the children believe them that they exist. This is the source for them to live. And that is helping others without them knowing. In the movie there is also a boogie man that tries to make the children’s world in fear. So another Guardian gets selected to help the Guardians that was before. This is Jack Frost.

To defeat the evil and make a happy ending is the most common ending for an animation movie. This has made enlightenment for the audience. We learned a lot of things from the movie. To make people, especially the ones that are not close to you, happy by helping them is a thing that is worth of. In the movie, these kinds of works are the Guardians job. They do this because they were selected to help others. Why don’t we think that we, who are in MANNAM Volunteer Association was selected one by one to help others? Although we have our things to do, like study, work and teaching for our jobs but we can achieve helping others by volunteering and that can happen if we have hearts to do this. What if people don’t realize the work we do? It doesn’t matter because something special has already happened in our hearts and minds.

When Jack wanders why he was selected as a Guardian, Santa asks, “What is your center?” The special mind and heart that we each was chosen. At the end of the movie Jack finds out that it is helping others. We should have the same mind and though as him. And also I want to ask, “What is your center?”

[MANNAM heal the world] Conformity in Volunteering!

 [MANNAM heal the world] Conformity in Volunteering!

 Some people are waiting in front of the crosswalk for the traffic light. But suddenly one of the people looks around to see if there is a car coming, and as soon as he knows that there is no danger coming up, he crosses the street. Like this, two more crosses the road as the same way like the first. In this situation, what would you do? If you were in the same situation would you cross the street even though it is a red light? Well, some psychologists found that people have psychology to follow the others behavior. This is called conformity theory. What I wrote up is a bad example about people’s behavior. But what if this theory comes into a good situation?

A person’s thinking is very simple. If the others do it, they think “Why not me?” This is why people follow what others do. This is another example. If one man stares at an object far away, a stranger who passes by doesn’t care what he is doing. But if there are more than three people who are doing this, a stranger who watches this can’t just pass without stopping. The stranger does the same act with others.

Now let us think about this. There are things that we can do to save and make peace to the world. Because we do not have money like Warren Buffett, we can’t donate money like him. Then what can we do? We can volunteer with our hands and with our hearts. Although it doesn’t appear that much, but all the small efforts this does can make a big movement to the world. The Association which is doing a good job is MANNAM! Why don’t we volunteer or donate and make this into a big movement though MANNAM? If one starts, and more than three people does this, we can make and motivate others to follow this great movement in MANNAM. Remember that your action and behavior can influence others. Be careful! It can make other fall into a bad situation or in to a better way. Let us share and love others though MANNNAM Volunteer Association!

MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': Why was the Korean alphabet created? (Korean Alphabet Day)

MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': Why was the Korean alphabet created?  (Korean Alphabet Day)

 

In MANNAM International, We have held a Korean Calligraphy Contest with admiring Korean Alphabet Day (October 9).

 

 

 

Why was the Korean alphabet created?

King Sejong the Great created Hangul (the Korean alphabet) in 1443. Hangul is the most scientific writing system in the world. It was designated as National Treasure in UNESCO’s Memory of the World.

King Sejong proclaimed publication of Hunmin Jeongeum (훈민정음). It means ‘sound of teaching people in the right.’ Later, The name was changed from Hunmin Jeongeum to Hangul(한글).

 

Why did he want to teach in the right with Hangul? 17 years ago, there was a murder: an unfilial son killed his father. king Sejong thought, 'If the people can learn moral stories from book, there will be more filial daughters and sons.' At that time, the people was hard to read and learn Chinese character. For this, he decided to proclaim the Korean Alphabet.

In short, Hangul was created by great love of king for his people.

 

 Korean Alphabet Calligraphy Contest
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

one name, different letters

 

 



 

All of MANNAM freinds wrote Hangul and their letters.

It was interesting to share their letters each other. 

 

There are more than 3,000 languages in the world. But, we exclaim  just one thing with many letters, "Peace Is Possible!"

MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE’: MANNAM international volunteering day!

MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE’: MANNAM international volunteering day!

HiJ MANNAM friends! Usually, How do you spend your weekend?

Watching some comedy films or American drama? Dating with someone? Doing house chores? Someone says, 'how you spend your free time is yourself.'

We visited Kid' Center in this weekend. I'll show you our Kid' Center volunteer day.

 Checking materials before meet kids:)

Bingo game is popular every time. In this time, children had to find out the answer of riddles. If they got right, it was given 1 star.

'Dividing the groups'

 

 It's the making the bookmark time!! He is thinking how to make it.

In MANNAM, we used fallen leaves.

 

As a final program, we played outdoor game on the ground and play the basketball. All of MANNAM volunteers satisfied with kid's smile and we promised that we will visit again! It's happy to see kid' smiling always.

If we are perfect of light, we can shine our light to every people. If we have lots of smile and love, we can share it. Would you share it?

 

 

 

 

[MANNAM Heal the world] Peace, Love and Understanding

[MANNAM Heal the world] Peace, Love and Understanding

                   Elvis Costello “Peace, Love and Understanding”

As I walk through

This wicked world

Searching for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself

Is all hope lost?

Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,

There's one thing I want to know:

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

And as I walked on

Through troubled times

My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

So where are the strong

And who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony?

Sweet harmony.

'cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me want to cry.

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

So where are the strong?

And who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony?

Sweet harmony.

'cause each time I feel it slipping away, just makes me want to cry.

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding? ohhhh

What's so funny 'bout peace love & understanding?

 There is much music about peace. The topic may sound difficult and heavy for others, but some of the artists make this kind of music as and exciting song. Elvis Costello is one of these artists. He made a song “Peace, Love and Understanding.” You can guess that this song is about peace and loving others. It was a surprise to see and hear this music for the first time, because the music was so exciting and interesting. As you can see in the video clip, the audience is so into this song. Speaking peace in a cheerful way is a way to make the people understand. And also the form “Music” can make people more understand about peace. Now, if you look at the lyrics, there is a man. He looks around him, and sees that the world is a mess. No more love, nor peace and understanding. So he is saying that the world needs a change and needs the three important sources back. In the song he says this world needs love, peace and understanding.

 So let’s change the world. Something is happening around the world. Do you know what is it? MANNAM Volunteer Association is making world peace into action. How? By loving, caring, understanding people from the need to the people around us. By this way world peace can come. This is the way we are changing the world. Many people think about peace and love. What can we do about this? We can make a difference with volunteering. This can be the key to peace. MANNAM is changing the world now. Many people want to change the world but don’t know the way how. In MANNAM we can make this for real! One by one J

MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE’: interview of international volunteers

MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE': interview of international volunteers

There are beautiful international volunteers in MANNAM Volunteer Association.
They volunteered at Kids Center and Senior Center. There's no boundary in love and volunteer. Let's figure out why foreign volunteers want to do volunteer.  

Q. Why did you come to Kids Center to do volunteering?

A. We've come to volunteer with these children. Because they don't have parents and we have a lot of free time. So, I miss my little nieces. So, this reminds me my little nieces.

-A Volunteer from England

 

 

Q. Isn't language barrier make you difficult to communicate with children?

A. Definitely language barrier has challenges but that's one thing that I really like about volunteering. Even those sometimes hard to communicate, you can still understand people's heart when you volunteering. So we work together to share love and heart and you can understand it without words

-A Volunteer from USA

 

 

Q. Why did you come to Senior Center to do volunteering?

A. I came here to be a little help for seniors. I want to give them present for Lunar New Year's Day in this way. I wish every seniors in this center get healthy and happy.  

-A Volunteer from kyrgyzstan

 

 

 

 

Q. How was your volunteer day?

A. I was very pleased and very happy. It was glad to see kid' happy smile. I want to visit again.

-A Volunteer from Saudi Arabia

 

Obviously, at the first moment with kids is could be a little awkward. But, as soon as volunteers get started to open their heart, kids do.


As senior said in video, when foreigners volunteer in Korea, it becomes more inspiring to every people. Seniors feel very appreciate that their helps.

But, it's not easy to find the place foreigners can do volunteer. Since MANNAM Volunteer Association have volunteered with foreigners, the number of members is increasing.

MANNAM has a goal 'the World that Stands as One' by exchaning of culture with volunteering.

[MANNAM INT'L] The color & volunteering

[MANNAM INT'L] The color & volunteering

Oxford dictionary says ‘volunteer’ is to freely offer to do something. However, today I would want to describe the volunteering in a simile of color. 

There are numerous colors in this world, so as there are so many different and various ways to help others. As we do not notice beautiful colors surrounded us sometimes, we do not notice the spirit of volunteering in our daily life. 

Simple picking a trash or holding a door for someone is a beautiful act of volunteering. 

 If you agree with my writing, you might also enjoy the video clip below. It is a short video about color and volunteering. Hope you like this video!

MANNAM Volunteer Association

[MANNAM PEACE IS POSSIBLE] MANNAM International Victory Cup: soccer player interview

[MANNAM PEACE IS POSSIBLE] MANNAM International Victory Cup: soccer player interview

I participated in the MANNAM International Victory Cup on September 8, 2013 in Chung-Ju. It was held with wishing all successful upcoming IPYG forum. On the green field, there was Polish student with blue eyes. He seemed enjoy this event and he was great soccer player!

Q. Now you are attending “wishing all successful the upcoming IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) forum MANNAM International Victory Cup”. So, how are you feeling participating in this event?

A: I feel great! It has a lot of fun with many friends. Especially, It’s ending now. Really tired after all the games But, now final game is going over there. It’s really interesting. Everybody is making a lot of fun to win.

Q. Today, Which team looks like it will win?

A: When we get started the game, maybe our team will win. But now, Uzbekistan will win the game. They are strong and they have big tense.

Q. We want the world peace. So what is peace?

A: I think peace is the most important thing in the world. Because without peace, People can’t bond together. They can’t get stronger. They can’t develop. They can’t be happy actually I think so.

Q. Then, How can peace come to this world?

A: I’m always convinced that if you want to do something, we should start with ourselves. So I think, if people try to be friendly with other people, that is what it should be. That’s what everybody should do. And if everybody put effort to do that, there will be peace.

   

Q; After this event, there will maybe be another one. Do you have the will to attend?

A: Oh! Of course!

Thank you for the interview!

[MANNAM Heal the world] Beautiful World

[MANNAM Heal the world] Beautiful World

 

 Hello dear MANNAM Friends! How's the place where you live? Is it safe there? Are you happy with your life? Is it your life joyful? Or are you in sadness or sorrow? Don’t you want to live in a world that is safe, and which is full of happiness? The place where birds sing and where the sound of nature is breathing. If the world becomes like thatm then we would call it “Beautiful World.” Connie Talbot made our hopeful desire for world peace into a song to represent our thoughts.

With her beautiful but strong voice, Connie Talbot sang a beautiful song, with a beautiful voice.

 

Beautiful world - Connie Talbot

I wish I knew why the clouds above are so beautiful

And I wish that I knew why they create pictures for me and you

It's a miracle for us to share

White and grey patterns up in the air

I could daydream and look at the sky forever

 

Can't you see that it's a beautiful world

Come with me, I'll show you

Open your eyes and see the beauty around

Take my hand, and I'll lead you

It's so wonderful, so magical

 

Just the other day

I saw an angel and a polar bear playing games in the sky

I saw a king sat in a great big chair

If you look at the clouds everyway

Then they tell us a story each day

And they don't make a sound but they'll share together

Can't you see that it's a beautiful world

Come with me, I'll show you

Open your eyes and see the beauty around

Take my hand, and I'll lead you

It's so wonderful, so magical

It's so wonderful, so magical

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful world

 

Can't you see that it's a beautiful world

Come with me, I'll show you

Open your eyes and see the beauty around

Take my hand, and I'll lead you

It's so wonderful, so magical

It's so wonderful, so magical

It's a beautiful world

 A “peace song” is not a peace song, because there is the word “peace” inside. A peace song is a song that makes you happy and so it makes you want to share this feeling with others. “Beautiful Song” sang by Connie is a peace song for me. Where people can follow someone, to be happy, that can do a big job to the world. And in the end peace can come so soon. In MANNAM Volunteer Association, you can meet people who can lead you the way for peace. It doesn’t show much to the world, but still, it has power to control it. I can learn many things in MANNAM. From the people in MANNAM Volunteer Association, we have lots to learn about them. Different with the other Volunteer Associations, MANNAM have heart and passion for Volunteering. And MANNAM does a job once and for all. Beautiful world is started by MANNAM. It is in MANNAM.

MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': interview of a student volunteer.

MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': interview of a student volunteer.


Thesedays, lots of the twenties are studying for good grades at school and good occupation in society, day and night. I have interviewed one of the 20's university student who is steadily doing volunteer work in MANNAM volunteer association.


Q1.If you did the things related with volunteer work before, what was the most memorable volunteer work for you?

A:For me, the most memorable volunteer work was to help flood victimes through MANNAM Volunteer Association. A few years ago, landslide occured near SoYang multipurpose dam in Chuncheon Korea. So I was helping the people who lost their houses and farms with MANNAM one day. Actually, Volunteering to people in that site suffering from landslide was the first time in my life. It was quite beyond expectation. Every place was a mess by the flood and there were many things to be take care of. The volunteer work was really a hard job for all of us. All volunteers were worn out. But no one showed their exhaustion by thinking the flood victims. Even though that was my hardest volunteer work ever, also it still remains as my best volunteer work ever because I still remember the flood victims saying "Thank you" to us with their tears.

Q2.When you volunteer, what kind of mental attitude do you volunteer with?

A: First of all, I volunteer with pleasure and gratitude that I can be a person who can help others. I realized that no one is worthless. Not only me but also everyone is precious because they are needed somewhere.

Q3.Do you think world peace is possible?

A: Yes, it is possible. If mankind on earth love and respect one another, world peace will come true. Q.Then, what is the first thing you can do for world peace? A:I am trying to bring world peace by volunteering in MANNAN International volunteer Association. All members in MANNAN are giving their hand to the world keeping hope and the hope for better life in mind. I appreciate your kind reply:)