MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': Volunteering at Elderly House!

 

MANNAM 'PEACE IS POSSIBLE': Volunteering at Elderly House!

 

 

On special holiday like Thanksgiving, you may come up with your family. 
Here are MANNAM International Volunteers visiting at Elderly House on special holiday. 

Can you see that beautiful traditional Korean costume with volunteers? They wore it for greeting to the elderly. It's great to see all volunteers have good manners.  

MANNAM volunteers served the elderly and played 'Yut' traditional Korean game. For meal, They made dimple soup. In Korea culture, we usually have a dimple soup for celebrating new year with family.

I can see many elderly seem happy when they have a talk and hold a hand with volunteers. so I just realised only visiting elderly home is not a volunteering. Around us, there are many elderly people in bus, subway, park, etc or it could be a neighbor. Have a talk with them with little courage.

That kinds of mind could bring the peace in this world! You know, Everything is hard at the beginning.

[MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE’] INTERVIEW : North Korean volunteer

[MANNAM ‘PEACE IS POSSIBLE’] INTERVIEW : North Korean volunteer

I met special friend last week in orphanage. Kim is from North-Korea. I was curious that why she want to do volunteer in South-Korea.

Q: Kim, it’s so great to see you. Because, you know, My grandfather is from North Korea as well. But, since the Military Demarcation Line has created, he never see or meet his family; he doesn’t know whether they are alive or not. How about you? How do you feeling with this situation?

A: Yes, of course I miss my family. The last touch with my family was 3 years ago since when I got out of North Korea 6 years ago. I am the person who really hopes to bring about the unification between South and North Korea. I will be happy even if I can get in touch with my family. This is the story that must happen in the near future.

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Q: Totally I feel the same way. I think you are Korean. But, you must be hard because of something different culture.

A: yeah, still such things happen. Even if I’m speaking in Korean, some of North Korean words sound weird to people. And they get a laugh. One day, my friends asked me to go together ‘Bangsubang방서방’ chicken (Name of famous chicken restaurant.) I asked, “Who is the Bangsubang?” They all laughed out loud. It’s kind of culture gap. But, It makes always happy. Differences could be hard and could be fun to get to know each other.

Q: Why do you want to be a volunteer in MANNAM volunteer association?

A: I naturally got to know one of member of MANNAM volunteer association, working with her at the same company. One of my dreams was going abroad because I was not allowed it in North Korea. Before, it was difficult to have a relationship with foreigners. Maybe, the main reason was unfamiliar with the other cultures. However I can naturally talk with many foreigners by doing volunteer work. When we are doing something good together, we are more likely connected across language. It’s amazing.

Q: What is the memorable volunteer experience?

A: I have my brothers and sisters in North Korea. Now, I can’t see them. I have brothers and sisters in MANNAM volunteer association instead. When I cooked for them, foreign friends were very happy. Every time I explain ‘I’m from north Korea’ in nursing home, old people give me hug or hold my hands. Like this, the memorable moment is when I give something and I take something while I’m volunteering.

Q: Do you think ‘peace is possible’ even in Korea?

A: Absolutely, yeah. I know some people are negative with unification. But for me, I desperately believe it to meet my family again. I think it isn’t just for me.

Q: I believe you will see your family again. I think each of us could be a peace leader since we are hopeful that peace will someday be achieved, so what do you want to do as a peace leader?

A: Well, I liked these words: Understand each other across all borders, religions, races and languages. Understanding will be a clue of peace. Secondly, Unity with foreigners through volunteer: By helping people in need, we could be the one. If reunified, I want to be a wingback between North and South Korea.

Sharing grater joy with MANNAM VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION

We usually think that we should be paid for what we do, 

but the reason we as MANNAM VOLUNTEERS work without payment is

 because joy is a greater payment.

We can show that example to the world and be role model for everyone.

This is an education without words.

Nowadays, we tend to take receive for granted.

However, there is something that could be normal to be just offering.

It is LOVE.

Sharing love through volunteering is something that has no limit to offer.

Moreover, sometimes, being paid is not the most satisfied way to pay back.

It might fill our pocket once, but touching in the heart remains forever in you.

This could be understandable to the people who have experienced it.

So, from now on let's work together in MANNAM and share the greater payment in us.

Let us be the role model for everyone.

You can only feel thin in us with MANNAM VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION.

[MANNAM heal the world] We are the world

[MANNAM heal the world] We are the world

 MANNAM Volunteer Association is a place where people can join and do volunteer work. It doesn’t matter if you are from another country or have a different culture. You only need a heart to help others who needs that kind of love. Even though you have a different job, style, taste, it doesn’t matter. We can help other who needs help by our abilities. A doctor can volunteer in MANNAM by helping others who need his hands. A dancer can make the elder’s or the children happy by his performance. A singer can make a song to unite all the peoples mind into one or can make them believe world peace achieve by themselves. This is what the musicians did in 1985.

 “We are the world” is a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced by Quincy Jones, recorded by popular musicians to raise funds to help famine-relief efforts on Ethiopia which experienced unusual drought in 1985.

 Even though their music styles and thoughts are different in music, they became one with the hope for peace around the world. To help the people in Africa suffering, over 45 musicians gathered to sing the song for help. Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve perry, Darlyl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles and many others are the people who joined this video clip.

“We are the world

We are the children

We are the ones who make

A brighter day

So let's start giving”

Like the lyrics, we are the world and the ones who can change the future. When this music came out, some of the people could have though what differences can a song in the public. But with this song, people got hope and love to peace. Likewise, the things that we do to help others can look like small thing besides the whole world, but that is the key and the start for a big thing. This way, world peace and the world that we dream for can happen soon. Let’s do this starting in MANNAM Volunteer association!

[MANNAM International] MANNAM Newsletter

[MANNAM International] MANNAM Newsletter.

One of MANNAM branches published online newsletter.

As one of the biggest volunteer organization, MANNAM does various volunteer services to help the local area and people in need. 

MANNAM International provides free Korean class for foreigners who are wiling to learn more about Korean and Korean culture. We know that language barrier and cultural difference can make your life in aboard difficult, or sometimes even cause troubles.

That is why MANNAM International help many foreigners residents in Korea to learn Koreans and our culture, so we each other can live in harmony.

(As a volunteer association we do not receive any funding or receive any money for doing any volunteer services; including MANNAM Korean class.) 

It also provides you MANNAM's story of helping local people and update news of MANNAM Victory Cup Media day.

You can read more about it in MANNAM Busan North Newsletter.

MANNAM Busan North made a newsletterof their activities/ 

Source@ http://mannambusan-newsletter.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-03-mannam-busan-north-newsletter.html

[MANNAM around the world] The symbol of war turned to the symbol of peace I

[MANNAM around the world] The symbol of war turned to the symbol of peace I.

 

             There were numerous tragic and wars happened in history of mankind. No matter whether we wanted it to be happened or not, those tragic already happened and there's nothing we could do to change the past. However, we can change the trace of the war into hopeful place for the future.

              In Prenzlauer Berg district of Berlin, there is Mauerpark. Mauerpark translates to "Walk park." It is called as "Wall Park" because it was built at the former part of the Berlin Wall and its Death Strip. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a public linear park was built along with the 300 meters of former Berlin Wall.

              Today the park is one of the most popular place for citizens, especially for youths in Germany. Germany's biggest flee market is held in every Sunday in Mauerpark. Some people sing and play instruments, while others ride bicycles or lying on the grass to relax. Especially on every Sunday, the combination of music and cheerful energy from people look like they are having a festival. In the efforts to change the symbol of division to the symbol of peace, Mauerpark became the peaceful place that provides comforts and entertainment. 

              Moreover, have you ever heard of East Side Gallery? It is not a indoor gallery, but it is the painted Berlin Wall that located along Spree riverside. Since 1990, the Berlin Wall was start filled with painting by 118 artists from 21 different countries. Today, the Berlin wall is painted beautifully as it wanted to wash out the tragic history of war and divided Germanies.

              There is another peace park between Norway and Sweden. 'Morokulien Peace Park' is the world's first peace park which was completed in 1914. After the battle between Norway and Sweden in 1910s, they designated the peace park on the border where two countries meet.

              Not only these places but there are many more peace parks and transformed place around the world. Yes, people are trying hard to make a world better place. Slowly and step by step, the world is changing to better place. This beautiful change can be fasten if you roll up your sleeves for peaceful world. I don't literally meant you to go out and do physical work for building park. (Don't get me wrong that would be one of the great way to spread the peace too.) What I meant was taking a little action for peaceful world. It could be sharing your own opinion for peace, exchanging cultures to understand each other better or doing volunteer works to help people in need. There could be so many other ways to create the wonderful world without conflicts. MANNAM Volunteer Association want more people to aware about the importance and needs for peaceful world. MANNAM International is opened for everyone who wants to be involved in peace campaign volunteer works.

MANNAM Volunteer Association : http://www.mannamintl.org/





Images from @Corbis

[MANNAM] We Maskara with Kids Center.

[MANNAM] We Maskara with Kids Center.

 

We, MANNAM International spent great time with children in orphanage.

We prepared the dance performance for them and played group games together with kids.

We sang songs together, and amazingly, children also sang song for us which was a very touching moment for everybody.

For Masskara, we painted our own mask that portrays our individual identities. Some painted it with vivid colors and some decorated it with beads.

We danced and danced in the paper rain (although the place became quiet messy after the paper rain, Of course we cleaned the place after the event.)

Sharing hard labor work together is also one of great and amazing way to help others. And also, dancing and sharing love is also wonderful way to do volunteer.

We MANNAM International Association helps people and environment in varieties ways.

Here is the video clip of fun time we had with children. Hope you can also feel the love that we felt on that day.

 

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/R1mK2yDU5Oc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[MANNAM] Let's gather and save the world together

[MANNAM] Let's gather and save the world together

Check out this article 'Volunteers clean up over 600kg of beach trash from Brunei beach'

. It is an article that has similar character with MANNAM Volunteer Association. The article is about over 800 volunteers gathered in specific time and place cleaning environment.

Isn't this seems alike with MANNAM? We also gather and volunteer together.

One thing that is special than this was that we were from all over the countries.

Since MANNAM Volunteer Association is international group, when we gather, we can see many having different nationalities.

We have cleaning up the mass after the flood, tapping trees to save them from diseases and so on.

Even we did different volunteer work, because it was a volunteer work, all the people who had joined came with their own will to do good thing.

Moreover, even it was hard job, they enjoyed it and felt happy to do valuable job for the world.

I think this is the merit of volunteering. Everyone participate with their own will, help each other while they are working and also do good things for other.

If this good works spread to the world, I am sure this will bring change in the world.

If you want to join these kind of volunteering, but hard to find, join MANNAM Volunteer Association. MANNAM is all round the world near you.

Or you could be the start of making MANNAM in your country!

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Asia/Story/A1Story20130701-433843.html

[MANNAM] Pure volunteer

The Start of a pure volunteer spirit is

when we are 

compassionate,

kind and

truest one anohter

[MANNAM] MANNAM Quotes about volunteering

[MANNAM] MANNAM Quotes about volunteering

This is the quote what MANNAM volunteer association thinks about volunteering

"What we are doing now is not really special; we are simply doing what our humanity demands of us. If all is set right within one society, it will naturally has a positive effect on others too. Let's work together to create a beautiful world, without looking to our personal gain or ambition."

Working for the world is an important thing because the world is the world that we live in. It is the place where our friends, family and people that we care live. So that is the reason, and the motive to act for peace and for a beautiful world. Let us make this happen in MANNAM!

[MANNAM] Baking cookies for kids with MANNAM

[MANNAM] Baking cookies for kids with MANNAM

We go to the Kids center (like orphanage) every month to volunteer.

When we go there, we play games, cook and have fun with kids.

However, because there were too much program going on at the center, we couldn't made it.

So, instead of going there, we plan to make cookies for them!

We made chocochip cookies and sugar cookies!

Also, we pack them with short cheering messages that our heart is in it.

When we give them to the kids at the center, they loved it.

We were also happy to see them smiling:)

Even it was little bit tired to make all those cookies, we felt each others' love while we made those.

Moreover, it was a valuable day that we made others happy:)

This is why I love volunteering and MANNAM

[MANNAM] Being a one day farmer with MANNAM

[MANNAM] Being a one day farmer with MANNAM

It was a day that changed my thoughts about farming.

There was a chance to experience and do volunteer work in farm through MANNAM.

I thought it would be fun to experience new things.

Collecting fruits and vegetables, feeding livestock and etc.

Imagining those things, I was so excited about it.

It was fun to share snacks and took the train with MANNAM friends.

However, my imaginary plan was until here.

As soon as we arrived at the farm, we changed our clothes and start working.

The first job given to us was weeding a garden. It was for the chickens.

At first, it was okay but as time goes by, it was hard to stay under the sun light keep weeding a garden.

It looked like weed are keeping growing while we are weeding and I felt we cannot finish this work.

However, at that point, we start to sing and work together.

We helped each other with the hard work and took each part.

After a while, we finished all those work and had snack. The farmer gave us a watermelon.

It was like oasis to us. It was so delicious that we ate all in a second.

Then, we feed chicken with those weeds that we collected.

When I saw them eating, I forgot all those fatigue and I felt like a mother feeding their children.

Last, we collected all the eggs from each cage.

I was little bit sorry to those chickens taking away their eggs, but it was a cool experience.

After all of those work, my thought about farming has changed.

I felt farming is not an easy job. I know there is not such an easy work, but farming, it need was needed more than I thought.

All of those work needed love and patience.

Result that we were getting might be small, but to get those, there are many steps to take.

The thing I thought the most was volunteering.

Farming cannot be done by just one people. It really needs many people to help.

Nowadays, because all the youth are in the city working for company, there are not many young people to help farming.

So, I thought it would be better to go and volunteer regularly.

One more thing, I think it was a great experience because I join with MANNAM friends.

As we work as a team, we became closer and know each other more.

Moreover, I felt we are all valuable to each other to achieve one thing.

Thank you to MANNAM giving us this chance and unforgettable memory.

[MANNAM] Interview: Bucket list for peace

[MANNAM] Interview: Bucket list for peace

 

We have been to monument on June 8: Memorial Day. For celebrating the Memorial Day, We made the Bucket list for peace since the day is for patriotic martyrs who died for wars.

 

Maria’s bucket list for peace

Accept the other countries’ cultures, religions, etc.

Help people in need.

Cook for foreign friends

 

Q: Why did you pick those 3?

A: When I accept the other countries cultures, thoughts, religions, etc., they can accept mine as well. Unfortunately it is not easy to live today’s world. People have become indifferent to the suffering of others include me. After I volunteered at an orphanage through MANNAM, I am more interested in orphans. Even if this kindness is passed on, it can multiply and multiply. For the third list, one day, I was invited for dinner from Korean friends. I could feel more like familiar, and understand their cultures a little better.

 

 

 

[MANNAM] Canned Food Drive(peace)

[MANNAM] Canned Food Drive

Last December 1^st, MANNAM international friends held mini concert for ‘MANNAM Canned-Food Drive.’ We collected all the different kinds of canned food for low-income neighbors.

People brought canned food.

Many of MANNAM members brought not only canned-food, but with the hopeful message on it. Throughout the melody of guitar and violence, hearts of people were collected.

MANNAM K-pop club also contributed their talents to this mini-concert.

A week later, MANNAM members distributed this canned-food drive to neighbors who need our help. MANNAM members spent their time to pack the donations in nice boxes.

In the interview of volunteers who contibuted their time and talents in MANNAM Canned-Food Drive, volunteers are smiling happily as they received the gift, althought it was themselves who actually gave gifts to neighbors.

Caring others, is a small step forward for making a peaceful society.

If more caring hearts are being gathered, then it will be a big step forward for peaceful world. 

MANNAM GW: To shine for the world peace (Volunteering in the mountain)

MANNAM GW: To shine for the world peace (Volunteering in the mountain)

 It was a beautiful day today! The weather was nice and it was not that hot. On this beautiful day, beautiful minds gathered together to volunteer. With plastic bags in one of their hands, and gloves on the other, MANNAM volunteers started to hike the mountain. MANNAM gathered again to pick up the trash on the mountain! It was good to volunteer and at the same time it was good because we could also exercise hiking the mountain.

Although there was not much trash on the mountain, it was a precious time to think about the environment and the nature. We don’t think about the thankfulness of nature in daily life. We forget how precious the air, wind, sun is. Because it always exists and make us live. But when something goes wrong and we come to a situation which we are lack of something, that is when we remember the valve. Think if you can’t breathe for one minute. No, maybe thirty seconds? You couldn’t even bare the situation. Before we regret of the foolish things we do, let us think again the things around us.

 By picking up the trash on the mountain all of us felt really great about the thing we did. I was proud because MANNAM did a job that nobody thought of. And it was good to be with friends that have the same hearts to volunteer. Even if I have the thought to do something, friends can make it better by joining and helping. Want to be the crew with us? Come and let’s share the hope, love, peace that we are making. It really feels good. It is happening in MANNAM Volunteer association.

[MANNAM] End of May

[MANNAM] End of May

Today is 30th of May, it could be 29th of May in some countries too.
But whether it is 29th or 30th, we are all heading to the end of May and welcoming the new month within few days.

Looking back to May, how did you spend your month?
Was it meaningful? Do you think you used your time wisely?

In my case, I wasn't able to manage all my time wisely nor meaningful.(Ha-ha)
But, I spent some of my time meaningful through MANNAM, which I am really appreciate to MANNAM international.
MANNAM provided me various programs that I can use my time more meaningful.
I got to spend time with cheerful and energetic kids at kids center.
Also, I participated some events that I could meet many other amazing volunteers.
MANNAM gave me chances to spend my time on volunteers, which I found very meaningful and interesting to be part of it.

Another month is passing away.
And as always, another new month is coming.
If you want to spend your time in another way, like participating in cultural club or volunteering, visit official website of MANNAM international!
http://www.mannamintl.org/

You could be able to find out MANNAM branches in your country or city too.
So as many different volunteer activities and cultural clubs of MANNAM too.

[MANNAM] Visiting Kids Center Epilogue by Urantuya, Mongolian

[MANNAM] Visiting Kids Center Epilogue by Urantuya, Mongolian

Эцэг эхгүй ч юмуу эсвэл ар гэрийн боломжгүйгээс гудамжинд эсвэл асрамжинд байдаг хүүхдүүдийг харахаар маш өрөвдөлтөй санагддаг. Уг нь энэ хүүхдүүд эцэг эхийн халамжинд аз жаргалыг мэдэрч сайн сайхан байх ёстой юмсан гэж бодогддог. Мөн тэр эцэг эхийн хайр халамж дутсан тэдгээр хүүхдүүдэд туслан бага ч гэсэн сэтгэлийн дэм өгнө гэдэг миний хувьд маш сайхан зүйл юм. Тиймээс ч асрамжийн газар нэг удаа ч болтугай очиж үзэх юмсан гэсэн бодол байдаг байсан. Ингээд нэгэн өдөр энэхүү бодолоо биелүүлэх боломж олдсон юм. Асрамжийн газар руу очих замдаа надаа хэд хэдэн санаа зоволт байлаа. Очоод хүүхдүүд нь яаж хүлээж авах бол? Хэл соёл өөр дээр сайн ойлголцож чадах болов уу? Миний ярьж хэлж байгаа зүйл тэр хүүхдүүдийг эмзэглүүлчих вий дэ? Гэсэн санаа зоволтууд байсан юм. Харин яг очиход уур амьсгал шал өөр байлаа. Хүүхдүүд нь нүүр дүүрэн инээмсэглэлтэй багш нартайгаа маш дотно, сайхан уур амьсгалаар хүлээж авсан. Хүүхдүүдийн нүүрэмгий дотно байдлыг хараад миний санаа зоволтууд ч алга болж нэгэн өд

저는 부모 없거나 부모가 있어도 환경이 어려운 아이들을 보면 너무나 불쌍했습니다. 그리고 고아원은 저한텐 꼭 가 보고 싶은 곳이었습니다. 이렇게 만남 자원봉사단을 통해서 가보고 싶은 고아원에 가게 됐습니다. 고아원 가는 길에 전 사실 걱정하는 게 많이 있었습니다. 보육원이라면 고아원과 비슷한 데라서 아이들이 너무나 불쌍했습니다. 그리고 가면 아이들이 나랑 그렇게 잘 놀 수 있을까? 언어와 문화도 다른데 아이들과 잘 어울리지 않고 상처를 주면 어떻게 할까? 걱정했습니다. 가서 아이들이랑 만났는데 걱정이 다 사라졌습니다. 왜냐하면 아이들 활짝 웃는 모습을 보고 그 걱정들이 사라졌습니다. 아이들이 너무 활달하고 친절했습니다. 그 날 우리는 함께 피자도 해 먹고, 종이 접기도 하고, 즐거운 게임도 많이 했습니다. 봉사활동을 끝내고 헤어질 시간이 되었는데 아이들이 헤어지기 싫어했습니다. 그 날이 그 아이들이랑 만나는 첫 만남이었지만, 저는 또 가고 싶어졌습니다. 또 가서 아이들이랑 더 친해지고 아이들이랑 함께 웃고 세상의 빛을 사랑으로 전하고 싶습니다. 만남자원봉사단을 통해 보육원에 가게 돼서 너무 감사합니다.

I didn't feel good when I see children without parent or children living in difficult environment although they live with their parents. The orphanage was the place I always wanted to make a visit. Through MANNAM volunteer association, I was able to visit the kid center. Actually I had few worries in my head on the way to kids center. Will the kids there feel comfortable playing with me? We have different language and culture, what if I hurt their feeling?  I was worried. However, once I met the kids, all my worries solved out at the moment I saw cheerful smiles on their faces. Children there were so cheerful and kind. On that day, we cooked pizza, did origami and played fun games. After the visit, it was time for us to say goodbye. Then, children didn't want us to leave. It was first time for me to meet those children, but I wanted to visit their again. I want to meet children again and be closer with them. Also, I want to laugh together with them and share the light of the world through love. I really appreciate that I was ale to visit kids center through MANNAM volunteer association.