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. 

Small businesses frequently fail in Nicaragua due to lack of resources. In Cedro Galan, Manna Project provides support to small business owners and entrepreneurs in a variety of ways depending on community need and opportunity, as well as our own capacity. Support has included microloans, business and accounting classes, and a mentorship program. 

In a country with only one doctor for every 2,700 people, families living in poverty feel the impact of this shortage the most. The Cedro Galán Clinic opened in October of 2013 and operates in partnership with the University of South Florida Health Colleges. The Clinic provides crucial primary care and health education for the underserved community of Cedro Galán. The Clinic is staffed by a local doctor and nurse and its operations are guided by a Community Advisory Board comprised of Cedro Galán residents. 

The 1,000 Days program is an evidence-based pilot program that aims to combat childhood malnutrition and support the development of healthy families in the community of Villa Guadalupe. The program enrolls high-risk pregnant women, specifically targeting pregnant adolescents ages 15-19, and provides prenatal care, breastfeeding support, nutritional education, well-child care, and family planning during the first thousand days of a child's development, from pregnancy to age 2.

Structured and unstructured playtime is crucial for the physical, emotional and cognitive development of a child. Manna Project’s Creative Arts program in Cedro Galán is specifically designed to help Nicaraguan children between the ages of 5 and 12 realize their creative capacity. Weekly games, art and music provide a safe space where low-income children can develop lifelong problem solving skills.

One of the premier job opportunities for English-speakers in Nicaragua is to work for an English language call center. While there are many openings, few are qualified. MPI offers a course to train students in skills needed by local call centers. The end result of the course is that students possess the skills needed to successfully apply for and obtain employment at a local call center, thereby vastly improving the livelihoods of both themselves and their families.

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.

Learning the English language is one of the best paths towards a brighter economic future in Nicaragua. Additionally, learning the language from native speakers is a very rare and valuable opportunity. Our Public School English courses provide local sixth graders with the opportunity to learn the foundation of the language from native speakers, and to get excited about English before entering secondary school where they have the opportunity to further their English education. For many local students, the route to English fluency and a brighter future begins here. 

Villa Guadalupe is home to more than 1,000 people displaced by the closure of La Chureca, Central America’s largest municipal open-air trash dump. These families joined 3,700 others displaced by flooding. MPI’s clinic in Villa Guadalupe, formally known as Clinica Medica Manna Project International, opened in December 2014. The Villa Guadalupe clinic provides primary-care and gynecology services to community members. The clinic operates with permission from the Ministry of Health  (MINSA) and is staffed by a  local team of practitioners including a health promoter, general doctor, nurse, pharmacist, and gynecologist.

The challenges of poverty can lead to depression, nutritional deficiencies and health problems. Manna Project’s Exercise and Nutrition Class Program povides an outlet for women to support one another, exercise, and work toward improved health together. Participants take pride in their progress and report increased self-confidence, healthier lifestyles and stronger community ties.

The community of Villa Guadalupe lives in extreme poverty, suffering from widespread problems related to the lack of health services, limited employment and few educational opportunities. The Coopertiva de Servicios Múltiples de Mujeres Emprendedores La Chureca (COOSMECH) jewelry cooperative creates dignified work and a steady income for over 25 women through the Camino Nuevo jewelry line. In addition to economic stability, working with the cooperative provides women with educational and leadership opportunities. 

In Nicaragua, many suffer from preventable disease. MPI works to improve health outcomes by training local volunteers to act as health promoters within their community. Through home visits and group activities, our dedicated health promoters equip their peers with the resources needed for healthy lifestyle changes designed to prevent chronic disease. 

Health statistics in Nicaragua are staggering: 1 in 3 children suffers chronic malnutrition, 30% of deaths result from cardiovascular disease and 1 in 10 adults has type 2 diabetes with little access to insulin. Manna Project reaches underserved communities with education and tools needed to increase wellness through prevention.

The Youth Medical Career Education program, called Generation, prepares students ages 14-18 interested in a career in the health professions. Through participation in interactive classes, students learn about healthcare, biological, and medical topics. Students also receive information on university and career options available in fields such as medicine, nursing, and pharmacy. Following completion of the course, students gain additional skills by volunteering in the Cedro Galán Clinic.