Empower Indigenous Communities in the Amazon

I loved working with Manna. The entire program is individual-focused, which allowed me to work in the projects that matched my interests. I came to Manna very interested in the culture and challenges of the Kichwa community, so the opportunity to work with ecotourism allowed me to supplement my classroom education with real life experience. I really enjoyed the way Manna encouraged community connections. During my time with Manna, I was able to talk with the local community members and play with the children. I felt like these interactions outside of work allowed me to really bond with the community. Also, Ecuador is such a beautiful place. Manna acknowledges this, and encouraged us to explore a little. During weekends we would swim in local lagoons, walk around the nearby city, and enjoy the more touristy side of the area. This experience was not only incredibly eyeopening and educational, but fun! Manna takes care of nearly everything, and I felt safe and cared for during my time there.

Manna offers a unique and positive volunteer experience. It's especially great for someone who has not lived abroad for an extended period of time before. The staff and other volunteers are friendly, helpful, and wholly committed to Manna's mission.

Living in the group home provides a natural social outlet. I am still friends to this day with several of my co-volunteers! However, this means that you have to be intentional about exploring the community and country if cultural exposure is important to you. Luckily, the volunteering schedule is flexible provides ample opportunity to explore the Ecuador. We frequently took weekend trips into Quito and hiked up the mountains.

Manna excels at partnering with the community to meet their needs and foster relationships. Its services are created and operated with input from the local population. Manna also includes its volunteers in the strategic decision-making on how to allocate its resources, or develop new programming.

Getting to volunteer as a program director in Ecuador is definitely an eye opening experience which involves a lot of personal and professional growth. In my six months spent volunteering in the rural community, I got to become a part of the community and share many memorable experiences. I saw first hand the positive impacts that the volunteers had on the communities they served. Overall this was a very meaning experience and a big part of my personal life that I would love to share with others.

Over Spring Break 2023, I led a trip of twelve students from Michigan Technological University on an Alternative Spring Break trip to Sangloqui in partnership with Manna Project International. Their staff was truly fantastic and the trip was one of the most affordable we were able to find! Both Jeff and Abby helped make arrangements for our trip and ensured our students were prepared for the journey and Abby was with us every step of the way when we were in the country. She was an excellent translator, bonded with our group quickly, and shared great insights to make the experience more impactful. Our service was well balanced with experiencing the cultural aspects of the area, including an Empanada making class, several meals at local restaurants, and a day exploring Quito. Abby was adaptive to our needs and sought to match our interests wherever she could. This included increasing our hours of service when asked, incorporating regular opportunities for reflection, and arranging a tour with a technological university in the area. More than one of the twelve students who participated showed serious interest in returning for a program director role in the future, which I think speaks to the strong connections that were made, the positive experiences that were had, and the impact of our time in Ecuador.

Working with Manna Project International was an unforgettable experience. The culture, the locals, the staff were all amazing. The work was meaningful and there were many people who we got to assist daily. There is also a large amount of people who are highly motivated to learn English and their energy is contagious which leads the teachers to be more enthusiastic when teaching. Lastly, the nature and hikes in the area are unbelievable. You can hike volcanoes within a few miles from the center or you can go on a bit of a road trip into the great Amazon Rainforest!

I had such a wonderful time volunteering with Manna Project International. This experience was supposed to be about helping others, however, I feel like I learned so much more than I gave to people. My experience was so insightful and enriching and I am forever greatful to have had this opportunity. The community members I interacted with in Ecuador were so kind, welcoming, and made me want to become a better person. I am very passionate about the work that Manna does and I am proud to have worked with an organization that makes such a large different in peoples lives.

My experience was incredible, from working with the PD's to constantly having support from Abby. We learned a new song called Piel Canela when dancing with elderly homies. We grew a craving for Choco Bananas. We were able to connect with younger members of the community and play fun games with them. We were able to practice our spanish skills with younger generations and those who worked at the market. Embracing the challenge of a communication barrier is what really drove our group closer. We were able to experience a blend of service projects, excursions, and cultural immersion.

Being an intern at MPI has certainly helped me learn more about myself and how a group of people can make such large impacts in the lives of others. Here at Manna, participating in the weekly activities, teaching English classes, leading fundraising initiatives, researching grants, and designing for the social media platforms have all been both successful and influential. Working with MPI has certainly been a great experience I will remember for life, as the people are so kind and brilliant about Ecuadorian culture and overall improving lives from education, health, wellness, and community programmes. I encourage everyone to volunteer at MPI, as it is certainly a valuable experience.