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.
September Update:
From MPI-Ecuador Program Director Holly Ward:
September 7, 2008
When Mark asked me the other day when the Monthly Update for September
would be ready to send out, I was in shock. Had it honestly been one
month since we sent out the last update? Had time snuck by so quickly
down here in Ecuador that I already had to start composing the next (my
first!) update? Seeing as how it is now already September 7, the
answer is clearly yes.
As I've begun to sort through all that's happened since we last
wrote, I'm amazed by the variety and richness of our experiences here
so far. We've wandered our way through the markets in Sangolquí and
biked through the Andes mountains. We've played pick-up soccer with a
jumble of kids from San Francisco and stood with one foot each in both
hemispheres. We've learned to identify fresh passion fruit and taught
our first classes, immersed ourselves in community development
literature and begun to re-mold our preconceived notions on creating
change.
Specifically, the trip to Mitad del Mundo, ("half of the world")
encompasses how I've come to view our time down here so far.
Straddling the equatorial line put us in the unique position of being a
part of two hemispheres simultaneously. Emblematically this stands
true as well. Attending some of the top universities in the States
allowed us to engage with expert professors in fields ranging from
Biological Anthropology to Native American Literature. We benefited
greatly from the privileges that come hand in hand with university
life; the rich atmosphere of intellectualism, a commitment to communal
successes, and a seemingly endless supply of available resources. Now
down here in the town of San Francisco, Ecuador, we're encountering a
different kind of world, a world struggling to rise above economic
uncertainty, insufficient access to health services and lacking
educational resources.
As Manna volunteers, we stand figuratively with a foot in each
world, able to think and work, to plan and enact with both perspectives
in mind. Instead of remaining on one side of the line and picking out
needs on the other, MPIE has been working to redefine our strategy of
community development as one that identifies existing communal
strengths and uses our abilities and connections to enhance them. We
see our role here as three-fold: to empower individuals, strengthen
institutions, and build networks. With a stake in each hemisphere, we
stand poised to connect and reinforce our numerous worlds.
With finance courses, the expansion of the local health clinic,
English classes, women's exercise programs, a community
garden/recycling initiative and teenage girls' art classes in the
works, there is plenty to keep updated on. To help our friends, family
and donors do so, we're proud to announce the creation of the new
"Daily Life" blog, found at http://openhandsdirtyfeet.blogspot.com.
With tidbits about life in the house, program updates, random
information about MPIE PDs, and a rating of our nightly family dinners,
the daily blog is the best way to keep up to date on life at MPIE in
real time.
Also, to facilitate the ease with which I send out these monthly
updates, we've created an MPIE google group. That way, instead of
sending this email out to 500 people in 10 stages (and getting my gmail
account shut down from overuse), once you accept the invitation I will
be able to send the email one time and reach everyone in our network.
Look for the invitation to the google group later tonight, and please
accept!
Here's to the next month,
Holly
- Click here for pictures, videos and past updates.
