We are MANNAM GW!
We live in Healthy, Romantic, Omanwon and Apple cities.
Although we live in different cities, we share love, cultures, lauguages and friendship!
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?
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 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.
Oncewe
understand there are such many people
and different languages in the world, itis 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'.
[MANNAM International] interview Korean volunteers
I visited the place where MANNAM international volunteers are preparing for upcoming orphanage volunteer. I wanted to watch the process of how they prepare before they do volunteer. I was lucky to meet two Korean young men. They are Park and Jun-sung. They were making some material of activity for children. “No matter how we prepare before volunteer, I used to feel it’s not enough when we get there.” Jun-sung said.
Q: I think volunteer work is really not popular for youth in Korea. What would you like to accomplish in the future?
P: I want to become an international lawyer. During my high school years, I’ve usually watched world news and I found myself I can’t put up with injustice. To make better world, I want to devote for something worth to do.
J: I want to become an educator of English. What I really hope to accomplish for children is the change of Educational System. While I was in the army, I taught English and mathematics at children’s center. At that time, I realized that the way I have learned English in school was not helpful for speaking with foreigners. So, now I’m preparing for a civil service exam while volunteering.
Q: That’s good to see, both of you are passionate about dream. Is there any particular memorable volunteer work or event in MANNAM? Tell me your episode!
J: I just remember my first volunteer. The outside of the building was full of snow when we visit the nursing home. It was massive work shoveling snow even if we worked together. After finish our work, one of manager of nursing home served us hot tea and that was unforgettable moment of happiness. I guess we might shovel snow with one though, keep a safe elderly people from dangerous slippery road.
P: For me, it’s Mongolian festival. I wanted to be more familiar with Mongolian friends. That’s why I participated in Mongolian festival and I got to know about Mongol by joining activities like wrestling and shooting. I changed my mind through participating culture program.
Q: What is the advantage of volunteering with foreigners?
J: You know, when I work with them, I can’t complain it’s hard or tough. It is heartening to see the foreigners in volunteer work because it’s very thankful. By talking and volunteering with foreigners at the same time, I think it makes good use of my time. It’s interesting and sometimes it changes my mind like education. In real, one of motivations to transform the system of Korean education is from conversation with German friend.
Q: Do you think PEACE IS POSSIBLE?
J: Yes. If we have a strong leader advocate peace, Peace is possible.
P: It’s possible. I think the role of media is important to bring world peace. Recently, I think there is some of part the media caused democracy movement over the Middle East. We could make it if we can spread peaceful message throughout the world.
Thanks again to these two healthy Korean guys who answered my questions J
When we had an MANNAM international party, there was a good voice and fluent speaking in English MC. I asked my friend, “Who is he?” ” Alex is a young prospective man from China”, she said.
Nowadays, the number of international students has been increasing in Korea universities. I am wondering how the other countries students handle with peace. In China, with the increase in economic, how peace matter is important among young generation?
Q: Alex! You seems smart. I’m curious what you want to be in the future.
A: Oh, that’s not true. I want to be a professor of civil engineering in Korea or Singapore.
Q: As a student, what have you done for peace?
A: Personally? I’ve given up my selfish idea and shamefully, I’ve not done that much for peace, I think. In this year, participating in Peace Walk with MANNAM international was my first try for peace. At that time, it was so hot and hard to stand under the sun. After that day, I was surprised to the reports of Peace Walk on the news. So I got started to have more interests on it now.
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Q: Do you think PEACE IS POSSIBLE?
A: yes, Peace is possible, but it takes long time.
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Q: What do you think what should we do for World peace?
A: For first step, we need to extend education about peace since we’re young. If we were educated since we are young, we could be messengers of peace. Plus, we should have more volunteering work in other countries which have no opportunity of education.
Now, he is planning to move to the other city in Korea. But, he promised he will go on volunteer work with MANNAM!! Wherever you go, we are connected through MANNAM.
Do you remember boy band who sang at the Closing ceremony of 2012 London Olympic?
Yes, I am talking about ‘One Direction. One Direction is pop boy band. Then this popular band was being formed in British TV singing competition program in UK ‘The X Factor.’ Their first and second album topped the charts of many major music markets. Their debut single with the leading song “What Makes You Beautiful” sold 153,965 copies in the first week of release. This song ranked number four on the Billboard Hot 100, also topped many charts around the world.
This popular boy group One Direction participated the volunteer work of helping children in Africa. On Feb 16th of this year, on the Red Rose Day, One Direction visited Ghannaian capital Accra-Princess Marie Louise Children's Hospital and also houses of children in Africa. It was tapped and telescoped through TV program of BBC "Let’s Dance for Comic Relief" for the fund raising of vaccine for developing countries.
This boy group uses their talents to give warm hands to children in Africa.
Isn’t it amazing that an actor of kindness can save life of children? Don’t they seem to happy in the video while they are taking the music video for charity? The volunteer work doesn’t always have to be a lanor work. Use your talents to brighten the world. MANNAM is already offering many MANNAM clubs to use our gifts in helping others. So why don’t we use our talents together? That way, we could be able to make more people to be smile and happy. Volunteer work is not so difficult as you think.
It’s FUN and interesting.
If you want to join MANNAM international, here’s our official website.
Below is the YouTube link for One Direction’s music video of the song ‘One Way or Another.’ (There already more than 72,00,000 viewers.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mCEZzzQ3o
We know that MANNAM
Volunteer association is biggest volunteer group in Korea.
We are also
aware of many volunteer events and activities through MANNAM official website
and blogs. But still, there are some questions that we want to know more about
this amazing MANNAM volunteer association!
Then why don’t
we ask it to person who established MANNAM volunteer association?
So, in order to
know more about MANNAM, here is the interview of Chairwoman of MANNAM volunteer
association!
Q. What do you think about
volunteerism mean as the Chairwoman of MANNAM?
-> I think that every basic foundation of ideology is filial
piety, and it is not limited to only Korea. When one is dutiful to one's
parent, it is filial piety; when the same devotion is shown to a country, it
becomes loyalty; and in religion, it becomes faith. And they are based on sacrifice,
thinking of other before oneself, which is the spirit of volunteer service.
MANNAM's service is voluntary and dedicating oneself as if he or she is doing
work at one's home, even when picking up garbage on the street. This is the
spirit of MANNAM.
Q. What are the plans for
the future of the organization?
-> A. Our vision is to work as pure volunteers who give back to
the community.
Q. MANNAM'sslogan is "When Light meets Light, there
is Victory!".
What does it mean by then?
-> A. Each person is light, also should become a person like
light. As these people who are like light meet, we can defeat the darkness from
the world.
Q. What is
Cultural-art volunteer meant to MANNAM?
I heard MANNAM is alike true volunteerism and a great planning.
Supporting the poor is not only MANNAM’S volunteer work but also letting a
delivery of the message of hope through the Cultural- art performance and a
receiver who experience the love to be met and become one is our Cultural-art
volunteerism.
Q. Why does
MANNAM do country-related events?
->A. It is very natural to dedicate time and efforts to those
we love. As MANNAM loves its country and sincerely appreciates those who
sacrificed their lives for the country, it is logical to give our time and effort.
We do not see this as sacrifice. The question of "Why do you do
country-related events? is equivalent to the question of "Why do you love
another?"
Do you remember the terrible natural disaster super storm Sandy?
One of MANNAM international branch, MANNAM-Boston collected supplies such as; baby wipes, diapers, baby supplies, cleaning products, paper towels, heavy duty trash bags and work gloves. They collected these supplies to deliver to Breezy Point and Rockaway Beach area.
And on top of collecting these items, MANNAM-Boston did“Santa’s Sandy Hands”project!
What is Santa’s Sandy Hands project?
It wasa project that was started to collect gifts for children and families directly affected and displaced by Hurricane Sandy.
These families had lost pretty much everything, and so the purpose of Santa’s Sandy Hands Was to spread some much needed love, joy and hope this holiday season.
And through this amazing event, there were a lot of helps from people. There were families who opened up their homes as collection and drop-off locations for neighbors and friends.
The Patient AirLift Services offered free air transportation to move all the gifts, emergency kits and supplies to Keansburg, New Jersey.
With everybody’s kind and generous helps, MANNAM-Boston gave 300 pounds of brand-new toys and gifts.
Of course, many volunteers devoted their time to travel around Monmouth and Ocean countries to delivery gifts tochildren and family members.
All these generous hands and caring heart helped to deliver, through these presents, a message of hope to these families that have endured so much.
There are so much lost from the terrible nature disaster, but through these heartwarming helps, we can share the suffers and dream about better future together.
You might wonder how March 22nd became
the special day for commemorating the water.
The idea
of commeraroting water goes back to July, 1992.
It was firstly suggested at Rio De
Conference which held Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It was suggested
as one of ‘Agenda 21’and it was accepted around the world. So from
1992, Every March 22nd was celebrated
and commemorate as World Water Day.
On World Water Day, we remind
the necessarily of water and how much we are wasting this previous
natural resource.
Water is the essential resource for our
body, and so as the essential for all living things.
But how much do we care and put values on
the water?
We easily forget the values
and preciosity of water since we can asses to
water conveniently.
We are receiving so much from the nature,
sunshine, rains and water, but we are stingy to give back our appreciation or
cares back to nature.
As we are unconditionally receiving a
lot of resources from nature, in return, we MANNAM,
want to give unconditional love and cares for people who needs our help.
If you want to give thanks to
the nature as the World Water Day, you can participate the
volunteer works through MANNAM international association.
Hi, MANNAM International friends! Do you know how many ethnic groups and languages in the world? It is said that there are more than 200 ethnic groups and over 5,000 languages in the world today.
As you know MANNAM International is made up of international members from all over the world. Within MANNAM International, you can meet various ethnic groups and hear all kinds of language.
Here is a video clip made by our members. The reason MANNAM International members made this was to highlight the diversity within our wonderful group of volunteers. This diversity is something we are proud of, it is something that makes us beautiful.
Among dozens of MANNAM volunteer activities in 2012, as for me, one of the most impressive activities was spending time with children in kid’s center.
As a foreigner, I had always had a mind to do some volunteer activities in Korea, but I didn’t know where I can. Fortunately, I got to know MANNAM International and began to do volunteer activity in kid’s center every month.
As for the children, they had never met so many foreigners at one time, so they were very curious about us and always asked, “Where are you from, teacher?”, “Do you have Korean name?”, or “How old are you, teacher?” and so on. Some questions may not proper to ask in non-Korean countries, but every MANNAM International volunteer answered their questions so honestly without any unpleasant feeling. I didn’t know why, but every time when I was with the children, all my heart and soul seemed to become so pure and free, and I myself got purified.
Among the activities we did in kid’s center, there was time for children to decorate food. Every time, we would cook in advance and brought the food to the kid’s center. We made food such as pan cake, brownies, and parfait. After decorating the food, when it’s time for children to enjoy their food, there would be always some children coming up to MAMMAN International volunteers and distribute theirs to us. At that moment, every volunteer felt so proud, happy, and even surprised. We knew what food means to a child! Sharing their food with us, it’s a signal showing that they opened their hearts and wanted to spend time with us. It was the best reward for us. What we did was only taking bus, going to child center and playing games with the children. However, every time, we received much more than we gave.
If I am asked what the most valuable thing I did in 2012, my answer will definitely be going to the kid’s center. It is so beautiful that people from all over the world, transcending the bounds of race, nationality, and religion, bringing laughter and warmth to the world and sharing love together.
