My Community is my Classroom

By: Patrick Maluwa, Program Director 2024

Sometimes when we think about learning, we have very specific ideas: desks, a blackboard, someone standing in the front of the classroom talking.. But that’s not the only way to learn and, at Manna, we don’t even think it’s the best way to learn. Let’s let our Program Director, Patrick Maluwa ‘24, tell us a bit more about how he learns while being onsite in the Amazon Rainforest..

My time here in Ecuador with Manna Project International has been incredible. Working alongside the wonderful people of the Shandia community has been both fulfilling and enlightening. The warm reception I've received from everyone here has made my experience truly special, but being so far from my own country and culture has given me new experiences and opportunities that I can’t wait to take back home with me.

One of the highlights has been indulging in the delicious cuisine of the Amazon, particularly within the Shandia Kichwa community. From mouthwatering dishes like maito de pollo, maito de tilapia, and mote to unique beverages such as chontaculo, chicha de yuca, and chicha de chonta. Each meal and drink has been a delightful journey into local flavors and traditions. What's even more exciting is that I've had the opportunity to learn how to prepare these dishes through our women's group, adding a new skill to my repertoire. Through these cooking sessions (and living day to day), I have been able to  immerse myself in language and culture. I've been actively learning both Spanish and Kichwa through interactions with the community members, which has been incredibly rewarding.

The agricultural project we have has helped me gain insights into Kichwa farming practices and cultural traditions. Spending time in people's chakras (farming fields) has provided me with a deeper understanding of how farming serves as more than just a source of food; it's also a vital part of the community's identity, providing medicine, such as balbasco, which is used to heal a person when he/she is having muscle pain, and dragon tree, which helps when when someone has a cut. Income and even materials for crafts like bracelets are also some of the ways how people are also benefiting from their chakras, which has been inspiring to see how much benefit comes from living sustainably. Also, personally, I have gotten to know different kinds of fruits that I didn't know before such as Chirimoya, Pitahaya (dragon fruit), Achotillo, Cacao and Maracuyá (passion fruit), which all are very nice and sweet in taste so it’s also been a very tasty experience for me.

When I have free time I spend it chatting with people in the community and through that I have also learnt that people work together when doing a community project called a “Minga.” Mingas are very nice and I have attended four mingas here in Shandia . I have learnt a lot from working together with the community to achieve a common goal. One of the mingas I have attended is when we were constructing a school library it was nice as I had a chance to hear different stories about the community and the culture, eat together with people, learn how important it is to work as a team as work is done very fast as people here are very committed to work that aims at developing the community. They also have unique cultural customs. One such custom is putting chili in the eyes of newborn children who are 5 years old for the reason that they have to be strong and they don't get sick very easily. Not only that but also they have to be well mannered and hard-working children. The women who plant yucca paint their foreheads with achiote in the form of a cross and carry forest leaves to bless the yucca stakes. Before planting yucca, they perform a preparatory ceremony to get the help of natural forces such as the chakra amu, and  the chakra amu represents their connection to the earth, their ancestors, and their sustenance. This involves the use of face paints made with the plant called manduru.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to be part of this community of Shandia and work with the people while learning from them. I hope to have more stories and experiences to share with my people in my home country Malawi.

About the author:

Patrick Maluwa is a recent graduate from Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources where he studied Gender and Development Studies. Patrick has a strong desire to make positive impact and has worked on various social justice campaigns and initiatives in Malawi, skills that he hopes to build upon and return to his home community in Lilongwe. A farmer by trade, Patrick is responsible for MPI’s sustainability and agricultural initiatives in the community of Shandia.

A Day in the Life of the Amazon Rainforest: Welcome to Shandia!

Written by Jade Herrscher, PC Fall ‘23, and MPI Team

Manna partners with developing communities to establish enduring relationships and sustainable programs that address both local needs and broader social issues. Simultaneously, Manna strives to offer volunteers a transformative experience, fostering personal and professional growth. Immersing themselves in the community provides participants with a unique opportunity to embrace fresh perspectives, ways of life, and work experiences.

Shandia, nestled in the Amazon rainforest, is now home to Manna Project International's new site. Nature's beauty envelops this laid-back community. There is a strong emphasis on relationship management when working in the community, since Manna’s presence is new.  The team is working toward the long term goal of building trust which will benefit the development of programming. Throughout the day, the rhythm of life unfolds in ways that blend seamlessly with the community and allow time to get to know each other more: 

Mornings often begin with work in the public schools assisting in English classes and helping out the public school teachers. We’re also getting the opportunity to learn a bit of Kichwa with students entering in the bilingual Kichwa - Spanish school.

In the early afternoon, we have some moments of rest where we’ll make lunch or eat together as a team - some time to decompress from all the excitement and emotion of the school day and share some of what we learned. We often use it as an informal time to discuss what we want to work on and any new inspiration we have.

In the afternoon, we all have a variety of tasks, depending on the day. Generally, we divide into people who support computer literacy classes and homework help in the computer lab that’s located in our combined office / house in the heart of Shandia. Others will run English classes or our newly reinstated JAM (juegos, arte, y musica) with the kids from the neighborhood. Outside of the programs that have started, the volunteers’ time is spent building relationships, conducting community needs assessment activities and developing new programs so some people will dedicate themselves to researching and furthering those initiatives. Most recently, we developed an exercise and culinary exchange with the Women’s Group in Shandia.

And when the sun starts to set, we usually end our days - some people will go for a bike ride around the local communities to get to explore more of the Amazon Rainforest and its breathtaking nature or read a book on our rooftop patio or stay a bit longer in Shandia and play fútbol or Ecuavoley with some neighbors and friends.

With early mornings that start around 7 am, we are off to bed early after a filling homemade dinner that usually has the Ecuadorian specialty of menestra (lentils) and rice. In the house at dark, you’re surrounded by the chirping of grasshoppers and other friendly animal neighbors that make a live version of nature sounds to lull you to a deep sleep before another day of community work in Shandia.