In the fall of 2007, Manna Project began a new site in Quito, Ecuador. The mission of Manna Project Ecuador is the same as in Nicaragua: to connect college students and recent graduates with opportunities to apply their education, expertise, and passion for service to communities in developing countries.
MPIE is committed to demonstrating both the short- and long-term
value of its soon to be completed community assets survey. To show
immediate benefits to our survey participants we will be quickly
launching programming in response to the information they provide.
Based on survey results to date, we are currently planning programming
to help community members start micro-enterprises, learn sought after
skills like tailoring, and arrange a series of community work days to
improve public spaces. We are currently soliciting funds to get this programming off
the ground.
Motivated by the enthusiasm with which they've been received in the
community, the team has been working diligently on developing impactful
and sustainable programming. Embracing an asset based approach to
community development the team is working with key community leaders to expand local access to healthcare and microfinance
services. They have enjoyed early successes with preventative
healthcare programming, English instruction for adults and sports
programming and continue to expand upon these efforts. In every
initiative the team pursues they do so with an eye towards
sustainability and meaningful community involvement. With this in mind they are conducting an asset-based community assessment and mapping
exercise in partnership with a local school for underprivileged
children. Focusing on the skills and interests local residents have
rather than on what they lack, MPIE is positioning itself to be a
matchmaker between residents and local organizations, fostering job
opportunities, targeted volunteerism and increased community
involvement. Harnessing the enthusiasm of program directors and
the limitless possibilities of a blank canvas, MPIE has grown from a
wishful idea to a full fledged community development site in less than
a year. And they're just getting started.
Monthly Updates: Click here to see MPIE pictures and monthly updates. If you’re interested in receiving monthly updates, please email holly@mannaproject.org.
August Update:
From MPI-Ecuador Site Director, Mark Hand:
To our friends and donors -
Hello
and, for those of you who are new to our monthly update, welcome!
Starting next month, new Program Director (PD) Holly Ward will be
sending out brief monthly updates with stories, pictures, and links to
our blog, where we'll be posting even more.
This Sunday marks exactly one year since I (Mark)
landed in Quito. I spoke basic Spanish, was unsure if the other
volunteers would be able to get visas to meet me in September, and it
took me three weeks to locate where I was on Google Maps. I had - at
best - fragmented knowledge about community development and nonprofit
management, and knew only that my immediate role would be helping with
summer camps operated by another local organization.
The other volunteers did in fact arrive in September, and since
then our Spanish has improved quite a bit. We still struggle with
Ecuador's kafkaesque visa system, however, and - to Craig's
consternation - I still get lost in Sangolquí, the valley's biggest
city. But our understanding of community development and management
have grown in bounds, and we have begun more sharply to define MPI's role
in the neighborhoods where we work. That is entirely due to the
tireless, selfless work of this year's PDs - Annie, Abbie, Hilary,
Seth, Luke, John, Craig and Zak. I can not imagine a stronger founding
team, and they have set a high bar for subsequent volunteers.
One year later, the stage is set for MPIE's next generation of PDs,
who are moving in to their rooms in the Manna house this evening. After
three weeks of training and language school in Quito, they're itching
to get to work. They'd better be - they've got their work cut out for
them!
Atentamente,
Mark Hand
Ecuador Country Director
Manna Project International
- Click here for pictures, videos and past updates.
