Ecuador Site Coordinator

Vanessa was born in Quito, Ecuador and graduated from UDLA (Universidad de las Américas) with a degree in Political Science and International Relations. She is passionate about working with the community, human rights and traveling. Vanessa’s goal is to create a positive impact in communities during vulnerable situations through the creation of programs that allow community members to develop in the areas they need. Vanessa considers herself an activist for the rights of women and minority groups. Her dream is to travel around the world and leave a mark on the places she visits. Vanessa speaks Spanish, English and Chinese. She is very grateful for the work that Manna does in her home country and is excited to create a much greater impact in Ecuador.

Andie holds qualifications in Sociology, Social Research, Community Education, Community Development and TESOL. She has worked in Scotland, England, USA, Australia and Nicaragua in youth work, community development, adult education, teaching, social enterprise and international development. In 2011, Andie joined Northumbria University as a graduate tutor in Childhood and Youth Studies, and in 2017 completed her PhD in community development. In 2016 she became a full-time lecturer at Northumbria. From August 2019 to August 2020 Andie will be working with Manna in Ecuador as their Director for Program Research and Development.

Originally from Singapore, Olivia’s interest in Latin America developed through her time at Macalester College. As a sociology and geography major, she was keen on studying human migration and understanding how our access to social discourses is influenced by the identities we hold. Olivia first visited Ecuador in 2017 during a semester abroad program, where the warm and generous community made her feel at home. Deeply impacted by an internship with the organization Las Tres Manuelas, she returned the following year with a grant from the Davis Projects for Peace Foundation to coordinate a series of workshops on gender-based violence for youth and young adults in the Centro Histórico of Quito. Olivia is looking forward to joining MPI as a Community Development Fellow in Sangolqui.

Originally from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Emily has traveled across five continents, but her heart holds a special place for Ecuador. A summer internship in Cuenca opened her eyes to the country’s beautiful landscapes and the warmth of Ecuadorian hospitality. She is thrilled to return to Ecuador this year as a Community Development Fellow with MPI where she will have the opportunity to learn through teaching and program development. A recent graduate of the University of Richmond, Emily holds a degree in Spanish & International Studies. She has studied and worked in community organizations in Spain, Morocco, Chile, & Costa Rica. In her free time, Emily enjoys running, hiking, playing guitar, creative writing, and taking spontaneous weekend trips.

Madeline joins MPI Ecuador as a Program Director from September 2019 to March 2020, taking time off of her job as a management consultant to explore her passions for community development and individual empowerment. She is excited to build on her experiences within her own community of Minneapolis, Minnesota to contribute to the strength and growth of communities around the world and to connect with the individuals within those communities. Ecuador and Latin America hold a special place in Madeline's heart, having grown up participating in a Spanish Immersion program since the age of five and traveling around the world to different Spanish speaking nations.

Volunteer Community Advisor & Host Family

Laura has more than 10 years of experience in Social Development Projects and has collaborated with Manna Project since 2008 in various aspects such as summer camps for kids, spanish classes, accommodation for volunteers in the Valley of Chillos, volunteer program in her garden organic besides to support with advising in programs and projects of the foundation. She is a certified Spanish teacher and holds a Masters in Business Administration and a postgraduate degree in Business Creation, Laura works as a freelancer in training and assistant to small businesses. Lastly, she manages a web-based business that encourages national and agro-ecological production known as, De la Mata a la Olla.

Volunteer Community Advisor & Host Family

The main interest of Alexandra is to contribute with good initiatives and improvement to the community. She strongly believes that is important to help to develop skills, customs, knowledge, values and good manners in society. She had implemented different initiatives, such as embroidery class and helping with some recipes in cooking class, even, she is used to helping with the day of inscription to the English course. She and her two children participate in these English classes, the same one that she recommends. Alexandra was a host mother of one volunteer of MPI. Also, she really likes to spend time with volunteers and learn about them and their culture of USA. She likes to share Ecuadorian culture and customs, like food, history, and museums. She has organized different trips with them to the center of the Quito city. She has collaborated in other foundations, always maintaining her spirit of humanity and respect for the values and customs of the people, which fills her with happiness and desire to continue helping.

Volunteer Community Advisor

Sonia has been an English teacher at the Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas-ESPE for 15 years. Through her hard work and determination, MPI and ESPE will now be collaborating on a project that will provide academic support and reinforcement in Math, Language and literature, and English to middle schoolers in Centro Manna, as well as neighboring schools. The program will bring together local teachers, university students from Espe and Manna volunteers to address and enhance the academic needs of its young participants. Let´s always keep in mind that Education is the core of success and freedom.