English fluency opens a world of opportunities in Ecuador, where English education is too expensive for the low-income communities who need it most. Manna Project’s high quality, affordable English classes help students thrive. Small class sizes, strong student/teacher relationships and supplemental practice sessions result in high proficiency. Class participants gain self-confidence and sharpened mental acuity, and many graduate go on to obtain well-paying jobs. Similarly, the Ecuador site partners with local University ESPE to provide English speaking classes once a week, and provides pronunciation help and encourages conversation. On occasion the site also works with the United Nations Peacekeeping Units to provide conversation classes.

Few schools offer comprehensive English language tuition. Where classes do exist, subject material is frequently incorrect. Private English education is expensive and out of reach for low-income families, yet English fluency is a valuable skill in Ecuador’s job market. MPI Ecuador meets the huge demand for high-quality, affordable English language instruction from native-speaking teachers.

Each week the Community Center hosts various kids programming activities. These are frequently changing due to community and Program Director interest, but include weekly Movie Night, Chess Club, Craft Hours and Reading Hours. These programs provide kids the chance to think critically and be creative while executing activities which stimulate their brains. 

The Chillos Valley is home to some of the greatest wealth disparity in the region. Many lack basic education, sanitation, and utility coverage. At Manna Project's Community Center, kids can play, learn and read; teens can play video games, watch movies, read and hang out; and adults can pursue continued education through interactive workshops and internet access. Our Community Center also has a computer lab with laptops for English assistance as well as homework help. The Community Center partners with local universities to bring tutors to our location and help better the education of the children in our community. Similarly, there is a game room for kids to use with the supervision of Program Directors which includes ping pong, foosball and a wii.

The Ecuador site has two programs centered around Women. Women’s group mets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons in the Community Center to discuss life, family, and empowerment while doing handicrafts. The women have learned how to make crafts to be sold for income, encouraging personal economic sustainability. Different women lead different classes teaching new crafts such as scarves, needlepoint, bracelet making, and much more. This core group of women are important participants in our community and help support in various ways. Similarly Program Directors work with local partner organization Hogar de la Madre Soltera, a teenage women’s shelter, to encourage weekly homework study, conflict resolution and female empowerment. Women’s programs are incredibly important in Ecuador, as statistics show.

Multiple studies have shown that children and adults who read do better in school or work. Reading reduces stress, increases focus, and improves analytical thinking, vocabulary, memory and writing skills. Manna Project's library is the first of its kind in the Chillos Valley and has a full range of books, games, puzzles and other intellectually stimulating activities for all ages.

The Teacher Empowerment and Advancement of Children's English Sangolqui (TEACHES) Project was developed as a resource for aspiring and current Ecuadorian teachers. TEACHES equips participants to succeed in the classroom and in their English language skills through preparation for the FCE B2 certification. Passing the B2 exam is required to teach English in public institutions in Ecuador.

MPI works with two public schools in Chillos Valley which lack access to needed educational resources. MPI's partnership with the schools focuses on health and nutrition education, English communication, and youth development. This relatonship extends to MPI's community center where these students can access a safe place to complete homework, hang out with friends, and have access to mentorship programs. MPI's current public school partners include Unidad Educativa Abelardo Flores and Unidad Educativa JM Jijon Caamaño Y Flores.

Fluidez de inglés abre un mundo de oportunidades en Ecuador, donde la educación de inglés es demasiado caro para las comunidades de escasos recursos. La alta calidad de las clases de Manna Project ayudan a que los estudiantes prosperen. Clases pequeñas con relaciones sólidas entre estudiante / profesor combinados con sesiones de práctica suplementarios resultan en un alto grado de perfeccionamiento. Participantes de la clase ganan confianza y muchos graduados obtienen empleos mejores debidos a sus habilidades. También, nuestro sitio en Ecuador forma una colaboración con organizaciones locales como la Universidad ESPE par proveer clases de conversación en inglés una vez a la semana, dando apoyo con pronunciación y confianza para hablar. De vez en cuando también apoyamos con la Unidad Escuela de Misiones de Paz “Ecuador” con clases de conversación.

Muy pocas escuelas ofrecen una buena enseñanza del idioma inglés. En las clases que si existen, los materiales suelen estar incorrectos. La educación privada es muy cara y muchas veces fuera del alcance de las familias de bajos ingresos; sin embargo, la fluidez de inglés es una habilidad valiosa en el mercado laboral de Ecuador. MPI Ecuador cumple con la enorme demanda de enseñanza de inglés de alta calidad y de profesores nativos.

Semanalmente, el centro comunitario provee varios actividades para niños. Éstas actividades y talleres cambian con frecuencia según el interés de la comunidad y el disponibilidad de voluntarios. Sin embargo, estos programas pueden incluir noche de cine, club de ajedrez, talleres de arte, horas de lectura, clase de guitarra, y mas!

El Valle de los Chillos es un lugar con una de las disparidades de riqueza más grandes de la región. Hace falta educación básica, saneamiento y la cobertura de servicios básicos. En el Centro Comunitario de Manna Project, los niños pueden jugar, aprender  y leer; los adolescentes pueden jugar videojuegos, ver películas, leer y pasar tiempo en un ambiente seguro; y los adultos pueden seguir una educación continua través de talleres interactivos y acceso a Internet. Nuestro centro comunitario también tiene una aula de computación con laptops para ayuda en el inglés y deberes dirigidos. El centro comunitario tiene un convenio con universidades locales para traer alumnos como tutores para mejorar la educación de los niños de la comunidad. También contamos con una sala de juegos incluyendo una mesa de ping pong, futbolín, y un Wii para que los niños y jóvenes puedan jugar con las supervisión de los voluntarios.

Students hone their English skills in Advanced English to fully prepare themselves for the employment opportunities available to English speakers in Nicaragua. Having mastered a large amount of knowledge in Levels 1 through 4, students enter Level 5, where the focus is on practicing what they have learned through various activities including projects, competitions, games, and more. Students who graduate from Level 5 English speak, comprehend, read, and write in English at a highly advanced or fluent level. Many of our students go on to obtain employment based on their English English-speaking skills.

Nicaragua has the highest number of teenage pregnancies in Latin America. Manna Project partners with local secondary schools to teach health classes to boys and girls separately, where adolescents may speak openly about issues they face. Curriculum covers basic nutrition and physical health. Students participate in discussions on stereotypes, gender inequality and the physical, emotional and cultural aspects of sexual health.

In a country with very limited employment opportunities, learning English is one of the very best ways for Nicaraguans to obtain steady, quality employment to support themselves and their families. Our Beginner English classes consist of Levels 1 and 2, where large numbers of students learn the essentials of the English language. This includes basic vocabulary and grammar, and practice in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English. For both children and adults, the path to English fluency begins here. 

Opportunities abound in Nicaragua for English speakers, and our English program prepares community members to take advantage of these opportunities to improve their financial stability. Having learned the basics of the English language, students enter Intermediate English, which consists of Levels 3 and 4. In these classes, students learn advanced details of the language, and fully transition over to hearing and speaking English exclusively during class. Once students finish Intermediate English, they speak English at an advanced level.

Manna Project works in partnership with Lacrosse the Nations to create joy and opportunity for children in need. Participants develop life skills and self-esteem to succeed both on and off the field. In a community where only one in four people completes primary school, the program results in improved health, school enrollment, attendance and graduation rates.