[MANNAM Volunteer Association] Why are they so kind to foreigners in Korea? : Another Definition of Peace

  Last year, MANNAM Volunteer Association joined WPI (World Peace Initiative) movement, and one of the campaigns was to ask people 'what do you think peace is?' then asked each of people to write their definition on a piece of paper on which just the phrase 'Peace is' was written.

  At that time, I wrote "Peace is what people hope it, but what people do not believe possible." I had been facing many skeptical and cynical views to our campaign so, at the first time when I got the paper, I wrote like above. And I met many people from all over the world and saw what they wrote.

  One day, a sweet girl who volunteers as a main translator in Busan North branch, Anna, talked about her view and her definition. And I was impressed and even surprised. From then, I don't care about the skeptical views (now I think I learned to tolerate them and understand there are different views among people) and feel proud of myself and MANNAM.

  Her definition of peace was 'FAMILY.' She was also '외국인 (a foreigner)' when she did study in Canada over 5 years for the graduate school. Fragile, being a stranger, she felt many things. There were many difficulties living as a foreigner in a new culture, new society, and with new people. When she got in troubles, she came up with her family and really missed family. In this case, she thought that if she made friends who are like her family members who warmly accept, tolerate her as she is, her feeling can get better. That's why she supports MANNAM and MANNAM's activities, she said.

  First time when some people try talk to you with kindness, you may shrink into yourself wondering why they are kind to you. However, if you experience them, and after founding a basic trust, they can be your friends. But, when you find that they are really interested in you and ready to accept and tolerate you beyond just kindness, and superficial relationships, you can open your heart more and you guys teach each other and learn from each other. Finally you will laugh with them, sad with them, empathize with them, like a family.
  Then, peace can be established among people, because we became the family, though there is no biological relatedness.

  That was her explanation and what she imagined and dreamed in MANNAM Volunteer Association. A real international family in this global village, as numerous news, advertisements, policies, education systems have been saying, can be truly made? I know It's difficult but disagree that's impossible!


  I often call MANNAM friends '엄마(Mom), 이모(Aunt), 언니(sister), 오빠(brother), 동생(younger brother/sister), 할아버지(Grandfather).' First it was just joke, but now I use them I feel these days they are my families! And believe that in the MANNAM family, we can make it come true, World Peace !!!