Team Nicaragua 2009-2010
From left to right:
Adam Horn, Amelia Graves, Ian Rountree, Leah Croker, Jan Margaret Rogers,
Kelly Michaelis, Anina Hewey, Lauren Page Black, Andrew Hemby, Daniel Gehrig
Nicaragua Director
After graduating from Baylor University with a degree in Sociology, Amira moved to Nicaragua with the plan of working for one year in an orphanage located south of Managua. Eight years later, she is happy and proud to call Nicaragua home. After working in the orphanage for two years and then holding several different jobs in the private sector, Amira became our Nicaragua Director in the summer of 2008.
As Nicaragua Director, Amira oversees all of our Nicaragua programs and volunteers.
Vanderbilt, '09 - Chemistry and Neuroscience
Lauren.page.black@mannaproject.org
Having previously worked on health-related projects in China, Tibet, and Uganda, Lauren Page, from Orlando, Florida, Lauren Page now spends her days putting her development experience to use in running donor relations for our Child Sponsorship program. She also is involved with Women’s Health and Exercise, after-school math tutoring, and the community library. A self-professed coffee addict, Lauren Page enjoys sampling Nicaragua's local café. After her thirteen months in Nicaragua, Lauren Page will enter the University of Florida’s School of Medicine in Fall 2010.
Leah Croker
Virginia Tech, '09 - Resource Management
Leah.croker@mannarpoject.org
With three separate visits to Nicaragua under her belt, Leah, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has developed a strong passion for the local culture and loves all aspects of living in Nicaragua. She brings her love of fitness to the Women's Exercise program, which she leads. Leah also works with the Business Development, Children’s English, and Chureca English programs. In her down time, she enjoys joining several of the other PDs for rooftop yoga under the stars.
Amelia Jane Graves
University of Florida, '07 – History
Amelia.graves@mannaproject.org
Hailing from Vero Beach, Florida, Amelia joins MPI after having spent a year teaching English in Thailand and volunteering in Cambodia. Amelia previously spent time in Nicaragua in 2007, while studying the local culture and the role of NGOs, and is happy to have returned to a country and culture that she loves. Amelia works with the Beginner’s English for Adults, math tutoring, and Child Sponsorship programs. She enjoys spending her evenings reading and joining the others for rooftop yoga. Amelia is currently enrolled in the Master’s of Public Health program at the University of Florida.
Daniel Gehrig
Centenary College, '09 – Biochemistry
Daniel.gehrig@mannaproject.org
Prior to joining MPI’s Team Nica, Daniel, from Shreveport, Louisiana, developed his passion for serving others through his work in the Pediatric Infectious Disease Lab at the Louisiana State University Heath Sciences Center. He now leads a Math and Literacy group, and helps with the English program and the community library. An avid outdoorsman, Daniel enjoys spending his free time observing the tropical ecosystems of the Nicaraguan landscape.
Andrew Hemby
Virginia Tech, '09 – Business Management
Andrew.hemby@mannaproject.org
Andrew first experienced la vida nicaragüense during a spring break visit to Managua through the Virginia Tech chapter of the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund, and he’s been in love with the country ever since. He now works with the Beginner’s English, Business Development, literacy and math tutoring programs. An ardent supporter of the VT Hokies, Andrew will be sad to miss out on college sports this year, but finds the warm weather and the even warmer culture to be of some small consolation.
Anina Hewey
Barnard College, '09 – English
Anina.hewey@mannaproject.org
Joining us from Portland, Maine, by way of New York City, Anina brings to MPI the experience gained from a five-month study abroad stay in Quito, Ecuador. Anina works with the Child Sponsorship and literacy programs, teaches Intermediate and Children’s English, and coaches soccer. Outside of work, she enjoys modern dance, creative writing, and travel. She also is fond of sampling the local tropical produce, with pitaya being a personal favorite.
Adam Horn
UT Austin, '08 - Urban Studies
Adam.horn@mannaproject.org
Adam Horn hails from La Grange, Texas but, after living in South Africa for ten years, he is no stranger to the ins and outs of la vida internacional. He currently works with the La Chureca English, Intermediate English, and Business Development programs. When not busy with one of these programs, he can be found sampling the local music and making friends in the community.
Kelly Michaelis
UVA, '09 - International Development and Social Justice
Kelly.michaelis@mannaproject.org
Born in Chicago and raised in Marietta, Georgia, Kelly first fell in love with Nicaragua through her work with her university's chapter of the Nicaraguan Orphan Fund. She parlays this experience into her work with the Beginner’s and Advanced English classes, as well as with the Women’s Exercise program. She also coaches the girls’ soccer team. In her spare time, she enjoys adventures of the outdoor variety--horseback riding, soccer, running, and hiking.
Jan Margaret Rogers
Vanderbilt, '09 - Human and Organizational Development, Spanish, and Religious Studies
Jan.margaret.rogers@mannaproject.org
Jan Margaret, hailing from Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was inspired to join MPI Nicaragua following a semester abroad in Spain and time spent working with a Tijuana-based NGO. Her programs include Child Sponsorship, Children’s English, literacy, and working with the community library. Upon returning to the US, Jan Margaret will be attending law school at the University of Georgia. Jan Margaret is certain to fit right in with Nicaraguan culture, as she counts Reggaeton as one of her favorite varieties of music.
Ian Rountree
Vanderbilt, '09 - Political Science
Ian.rountree@mannaproject.org
Though his permanent address is in Vero Beach, Florida, after attending both boarding school and university in Tennessee, Ian considers himself an adopted Tennessean. His dedication to international development has previously led him to work with Alternative Spring Break and STAND, a student coalition that promotes awareness of and support for victims of the genocide in Darfur. Ian now serves as Director of Fundraising for the Child Sponsorship program, and also assists with Business Development and Creative Arts. He enjoys using his spare time to build relationships with the families in Cedro Galán—sometimes, they even let him ride their horses.
