What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association 02: Be Myself

How much did you grow last year? I can surely tell you, I found myself developed so much at the end of last year.

Volunteering in MANNAM Volunteer Association, I learned to Be Myself.

I didn't have confidence to show and express myself-my idea, opinions, and emotion. In the period during which I participated in activities in MANNAM with other volunteers and planned cultural events together, expressing each idea was so important to make international events.

And communicating with many friends, found them shining in their own color! More and more, I can express myself and be myself.

Hope you to be yourself in your all life and also to have a chance to grow together in MANNAM,too ! :)

What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association 01: Appreciate

In MANNAM Volunteer Association, I learned to Appreciate others. 

I am in youth, so often I used to focus not on what I am, but on what I don't have.

However, volunteering in MANNAM made me focus on what I am, and what I have.

Meeting many elders when delivering briquettes, and radios,

I learned their philosophy and really appreciated all elders. 

They enjoyed talking about their children, and their life,

I felt they had difficulty raising children, living in poverty.

Actually, I did not thought much about my grandma and grandpa, 

even my parents' love and their struggle to live their life.

Also, I met many friends who have different backgrounds.

My friends whom I met in MANNAM, they are from all over the world,

and they make me think in different way,

they broaden my knowledge of cultures. 

I can tolerate 'difference' much more than before! 

Now, I appreciate all people whom I meet in everyday life,

and especially, the learning from volunteering in MANNAM is so valuable.

I learned to appreciate,

and now I appreciate all learning.

Thank you, MANNAM :)

What I Have Learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association: Prologue

What do you know about MANNAM Volunteer Association?

Have you ever met people in MANNAM or joined its activities?

Do you know about our motto?

MANNAM Volunteer Association started in 2003, based on Ap-gu-jeong, Seoul, South Korea, and it has been growing to be one of the largest international volunteer association. I joined MANNAM at the end of 2011, in Busan. Busan branch started then. 

What is merit or attractiveness which made me and other people join and work together? There are several reasons, I summarize them into four. 

• Love and Understanding among Members; we break down the barrier of difference. 

In MANNAM International, there are a lot of people who come from all over the world. We do communicate with each other, and different people who have different nationalities, cultures, religions, and political views. We break down the barrier among us called 'Difference' little by little. 

• Opportunities to Volunteer; Extension of Love

There are many opportunities to volunteer in local communities in MANNAM. We visited nursing homes, orphanages, hospitals, welfare centers to help people who need help and care. Also, we held many cultural concerts or festivals for donations and we held awareness campaign for people who suffered from natural disasters. This year, MANNAM International Youth Coalition held the walk for peace on April. 

The Busan branch started '더(The) Radio Campaign' for elders who live alone, presenting them radios as their friends, and every 2nd and 4th Saturday, we are attending the Soup Kitchen.

• Understanding Based on Learning Other Cultures

Working and volunteering together, I met many people who are different from me. First, I could not understand and had difficulty communicating with them, but in MANNAM, through many events and other cultural programs, I learned about other cultures and other people's thought. Through learning, we can understand better each other. 

• People; you can learn many things from volunteers in MANNAM

I want to tell you what I have learned in MANNAM Volunteer Association for last two years.

I have met many nice volunteers, and the Honorary Chairman Man Hee Lee 

and the Chairwoman Nam Hee Kim are also among them. 

So, now, do you wonder the details/stories/information about MANNAM Volunteer Association? I will tell you about MANNAM A to Z! I want to write using a word which includes an alphabet character. 

I hope you not to misunderstand MANNAM, but to understand MANNAM, even though you do not like or do not want to join us. You just need to tolerate us. You do not need to love us, you do not need to accept us, you do not need to lead us, but just tolerate. 

MANNAM Volunteer Association, now this is the part of my life.  

MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 5: Declaration of Unification

  These days, international societies are worrying about Korean Peninsula, especially the escalating tension between South Korea and North Korea. Some of friends not in Korea may send messages or call their friends in Korea and ask if they feel the sign of war. This issue is being covered in daily news every day and it makes me worry about Korea and think of the past histories of Korea and Korean War. A few of person argue the war between two Koreas then Korean Peninsula will be reunified. However, is it the best way of reunification?

  War with the arms – nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, landmines, uranium munitions – causes countless victims to be killed or live in pain in their whole life. Especially, nuclear weapons – I’ll write about it later posts – are many times powerful than the Hiroshima bomb. Today’s typical bomb (150-kiloton) would cause between 730,000 and 8,660,000 deaths depending on the population density of the city.[1]

  Can you imagine what will happen in Korea if war breaks out? Why do we have to pay numerous deaths to reunify Korea although we can achieve peaceful unification?

  You may agree the reunification of Korea or not and you may agree peaceful unification or not. But the one thing that you keep in mind is that violence begets violence, terror inspires terror, and war gives rise to war. If Korea will not be unified, there is still the probability of a war in the world. And if Korea achieved unification through war, there is still the probability of a war, too!

  Recently, I read Declaration of Unification from MANNAM official website: mannamintl.org when visiting to see the newly updated site to get sources to introduce national events of our organization. It is worth reading. It was written by 33 representatives of citizens. The main representative writer is Man Hee Lee who is the honorary chairman of MANNAM Volunteer Association. Many controversies are there about him. The members never want a certain religious group to rule / occupy our MANNAM. Rather, whatever religions members have, MVA members try to tolerate one another and make harmonious life together. Despite of controversies around him, his experience of war and an insight into histories cannot be ignored.

Here are the parts of Declaration of Unification:

           …we are still pointing guns at people of our own race. How can this be the will of our forefathers, patriots and the Korean people today?
 First, just like East and West Germany, the leaders of South and North Korea must gather to discuss unification for the sake of this country and its citizens. This is not only the wish of the nation and its people but the peace the whole world whishes for. Second, if our leaders truly love this nation and its citizens, they will work to establish a unified nation the citizens with for and a country where people live happily in abundance. How can a nation which is divided stand with confidence in this world? The leaders of South and North Korea must ensure that the Korean Peninsula will not be shamed. Third, we must all lay down our weapons and allow our citizens to travel freely throughout the Korean Peninsula.

Peace cannot come from gun. How do you think? 

---

[1] Mary-wynne Ashford & Guy Dauncey. (2006). Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War. Canada: New Society Publishers.

MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 4: World Peace and Independence Festival of Victory

There have been many empires and colonies in the world history from even prehistoric era. Often, a nation’s desire to control other countries made people who had believed in human development through enlightenment. Accordingly, many colonial empires and colonies appeared. One day, I just wondered how many nations have Independence Day. You can check on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_day

One of countries which has Independence Day is Korea!

In Korea, Independence Day is called ‘Light Restoration (光復).’ ‘光’ is Chinese character which means ‘light.’ It is one of the most joyful holidays in Korean history ending the 35year-colonial era. In 光復, ‘light’ means culture as well as national sovereignty controlled by Japanese empire.

In MANNAM’s slogan, you can see ‘light’ on the phrase ‘When Light Meets Light There is Victory’ It means each person who can be a light for the world as volunteering, but also it means ‘culture’ as mentioned above. Accordingly, we believe creating culture is so important and doing many cultural activities and huge events with cultural performances!

MANNAM in South Korea 'World Peace and Independence Festival of Victory' celebrating 65th Independence Day in 2010. A lot of VIPs and ambassadors from 34 countries participated in this national event.

There were a lot of cultural performances and booths about not only Korean traditional culture, but also 23 international culture booths.

The most impressive and special event was laser show, using light and symbolizing Korean Light Restoration day with introducing MANNAM’s slogan.

It was meaningful work to preserve the valuable cultures and stimulate people to think about the past history and give thanks to ancestors.

How do you think of all these events?

 As mentioned before, MANNAM’s slogan includes ‘Light Meets Light,’ if ‘light’ means culture, how about helping us to meet your culture, too?

MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 3: Korea Will Remember You Forever

On June 25, Sunday 4:00am, 1950, the tragic Korean War began with gunfire and after 3 years and 1 month, the ceasefire negotiation ended, leaving an everlasting pain and many scars behind. 

With the precious sacrifice of the veterans, we rose up and made unimaginable progress and developments. Within 60 years, trying to leave the pain behind, Korea was able to flourish in the world by holding the 88 Olympics, 2002 World Cup, and the G-20 Seoul Summit.

Marking the 60th anniversary of the Korean War, MANNAM held this event in remembrance of the veteran’s sacrifices which made Korea truly what it is today.

By the Arrangement of Collective Security, ‘UN takes effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace' UN forces enter the Korean War to protect Korea's liberalization. The Korean War was the first war involving the UN forces in an effort to bring forth Peace and freedom to Korea. So this became not just Korea's war, but a war in which the world shared.
We will never forget the sacrifice and dedication of the UN forces which allowed Korea to exist today. (Retrieved from mannamintl.org)

On June 26th, 2010, Sejong Center on Seoul Gwanghwa gate street, there were a lot of special guests early in the morning. They were war veterans of the Korean War and their family from many cities of South Korea, and the ambassadors of nations which had participated in Korean War as UN forces. 

From 10 a.m., the Nara Sarang National Event, 'Korea will Remember You Forever' was started. With opening, the biggest Taeguek flag, which was made in Memorial Day of 2009, appeared and flag bearers first emerged then many variety performances followed, to remember soldiers and many people who sacrificed their lives because of war. 

The representative of MANNAM volunteer association, Nam Hee Kim's speech was followed by the rememberance of one of war veterans, Man Hee Lee. 

Next, an unveiling ceremony for a special monument which had been made by ambassador's hand print from each country that helped Korea during the war as UN forces. The monument has Taeguek mark!

Also, with the handprinting monument, there was a meaningful event, made a time-capsule and put 1,300 letters from citizens in South Korea and the monuments which make us come up with this event for remembering Korean War. 

From April, students in 7 elementary schools took part in leaving their fingerprint, appreciating of UN participation, the flag made with fingerprints of children. Korea remember you forever!!!

MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 2: Love for Taeguek, and Love for Mugunghwa

In Korea, June 6th is Memorial Day for commemorating people who sacrificed their lives during the Korean War. On June 6th, Memorial Day of 2009, a public patriotic event was held which one hundred thousand people participated on Yeongdong main-street (blocking eight-lanes) in front of the Coex Mall.  

It was the 54 th Memorial Day, and there 54 volunteer organizations in Korea and abroad participated in and set up many booths as well as prepared many performances. 

MANNAM Volunteer Association became much larger and more known by public through this event, as 54 organizations united. You can see the names of organizations (more than 54 now) on mannam.org.

Actually, MANNAM mainly volunteered around Gangnam, Seoul, unnoticeably, but with a pure heart from 2003. In 2008, a bazaar was held for those in need at the Apgujung, Chungdam elementary school and ten thousand citizens, including local residents participated. Gangnam district office was surprised with the outcome and suggested holding another event together. Finally, 'Love for Taeguek, Love for Mugunghwa' was held!!!

The Biggest Taeguek flag in the World

There were impressive performances and monuments, one of which was the biggest Taeguek flag (Korean national flag) in the world. It was recorded on the Guinness book!

This flag was made by 17,337 people's fingerprint, of which size is 60*40 meter. 

Look at the right picture! Can you imagine how big it is? 

The flag was completed in the square of peace in Olympic park and exhibited in the KEPCO building during the event.

Among 54 volunteer association, there are volunteer groups who share their skills and talents as artists so there were various performances and it was really surprising, touching, even inspiring some people said. 

Also, there was a fun, but meaningful performance, 'Mixing Bibimbap.' Bibimbap is one of the well-known Korean traditional foods, which is a symbol of harmony and balance. 

On the day, Bibimbap for 1,000 people was in a very huge bowl, then VIPs in the event came and mix it wishing Korea society to be in harmony.

During this event, many people including international families learned about not only Taeguek and Mugunghwa but also Korean histories. 

MANNAM did not stop loving for Taeguek, loving for Mugunghwa, and loving for cultural heritage! Many branches are connected to elementary schools and educational centers run by local communities, and yearly have held the event or offered educational programs to teach Mugunghwa and Taeguek,and make people recognize its meaning. 

And Now, we, MANNAM International wants to share each nation's culture and histories as well as each member's stories through communication each other, because when more than 50 organizations became united and MANNAM was born at the beginning, we understood and recognize the importance of culture and histories, furthermore, the value of volunteerism to make the world more beautiful. 

World Peace, and Victoryis started from understanding.And for understanding and communication, there must be 만남 (meeting)! :)

MANNAM Volunteer Association in South Korea 1: Rememberance for March 1st Movement

Today, March 1st is a national holiday in Korea when March 1st Movement took place. There a lot of Koreans including many students and intellectuals participated in the movement, and they shouted for freedom. 

Even if they looked weak and powerless because they lost their land and ruled by Japan, they just rose Taeguek flag (Korean national flag) and shouted hurray for independence of motherland, restoration of light. 

Like them in 1919, today, on March 1st in 2013, MANNAM Gwangju branch organized the parade of cycling with Taeguek flags (It was covered in Korean news channel YTN: http://bit.ly/YOy95G)

In Seoul, there was a '응답하라 1919' event ('응답하라' means 'Do respond.' This title is a parady of '응답하라 1997,' which was a popular drama that made people who were students in 1997 felt  nostalgia. So, the title is intended to make audience think about 1919 when March 1st Movement occurred.)

One of MANNAM Busan North members visited Seoul to see families and she happened to see the event, and got the stickers! She guessed it's MANNAM event because there were many people including many international friends, and her thought was right! :) Then, she took pictures and sent these to Busan North members!

MANNAM members and citizens in Seoul walked together from Insa-dong to Gwang-hwa gate remembering March 1st Movement and wishing world peace! Also there were the parade to represent March 1st, 1919 - with similar clothes, and short drama. 

MANNAM volunteer association, which started from Korea, has been planning and held the national festival once or twice a year. Remembering Korean and world histories and giving a respect to many people who tired to make world peace is also what we want to do. 

Furthermore, our activities like these make people- especially for children and youth groups-rise awareness of the truly important values. We held 'Love for Taegeuk,  and Love for Mugungwha' on Memorial Day of 2009, gave thanks to UN participation in the Korean War on June 26th, 2010, held 'Festival of World Peace, Light Restoration, and Victory' celebrating the Independence Day in 2010 and 2011. Next posts I will introduce other events!