Manna Project International (MPI) is an organization that enables young adults to travel to international communities in need and to work in these locations. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in Orlando, Florida. MPI's mission is "to foster communities of young adults and encourage them to use their passions and education in service to communities in need."[1] Through teams of college graduates committed to living and working together for one year in a developing country (currentlyEcuador), MPI seeks to catalyze bottom-up change in resource-scarce communities.
MPI was founded in 2004 outside Managua, Nicaragua, by a handful of graduates mostly from Vanderbilt University. Since then, MPI expanded internationally to Quito, Ecuador and Solala, Guatemala and to eight other university campuses. Currently MPI is located in Shandia, Tena, Napo, Ecuador.
Shandia + Current Programming
Manna Project International (MPI) is currently located in Shandia, in the Napo province of Ecuador in the Amazon Rainforest. MPI works in the indigenous Kichwa communities of the Amazon Rainforest.
Programming includes
- English classes
- Computer literacy
- Creative arts
- Health education program
- Women's empowerment
- Nutrition programming
- Eco-tourism projects
- Community center development
- Sports and recreation
- Health clinic development
Partnerships
- Government of Shandia
- Shandia Eco-Lodge
- Women's Group Shandia
- Parroquia Talag
- Clinica de Salud Shandia
- IKIAM
Previous Programming
Nicaragua
At the Nicaragua site, programming included:
- After-school literacy
- After-school math
- English classes
- Creative arts
- Health education program
- Women's health and exercise
- Child sponsorship[2]
- Preschool
- Feeding program
- Community center development
- Sports and recreation
- Educational scholarships
- Microfinance
- Health clinic development
Partners in Nicaragua included Alongside Ministries,[3] the Gutierrez family,[4] Project HOPE (USA), and Worcester State College.
Chillos Valley (including Ruminloma and Sangolqui)
At the Chillos site, programs included:
- Career skills and computer literacy classes
- Adult English
- Youth English
- After-school homework help
- Children's Art
- Children's Nutrition programs at local elementary schools
- Adult Nutrition & Cooking classes
- Yoga and Zumba
- Children's Dance classes
- Health classes for children and adults
Partners in Chillos Valley, Ecuador included Hogar de la Madre Soltera, Esperanza y Progreso del Valle: Cooperativa de Ahorro y Credito, the United Nation's Peacekeepers, Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Colegio Chaupitena, Colegio Fajardo, and Antorcha de la Vida.
References
- ↑ "Manna Project International | GivingWay". www.givingway.com. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
- ↑ MPI's Child Sponsorship Program
- ↑ Alongside Ministries
- ↑ Amanda y Thomas