MANNA PROJECT INTERNATIONAL

I have absolutely loved my time serving with Manna in Ecuador! Through my 7 months with Manna, I've been able to work on community projects and programs that are very needed and appreciated by the community and that have helped me grow as a leader and improve my Spanish. Our days here in Ecuador are so varied, between programs at the Centro to helping out community partner organizations in the Valley, that I've never been bored. My favorite programs have been our nutrition classes like Kids and Adult Cooking and Antorcha, a swim-therapy program for kids with special needs, because they challenge me to be creative and flexible and the people that we serve are so full of joy! Beyond the programs, one of my favorite things about working with Manna is the relationships I have made with the community members and with the other Program Directors at our site. The community has been very welcoming and is always willing to show us around the Valley and take us on day trips so that we can see as much of Ecuador as possible. I know that I have made some lifelong friends in the community here and among the other volunteers on site.

My position as a volunteer for Manna exceeded my expectations in every way. I originally applied to be a volunteer for Nicaragua, but was unable to do so because the political situation in Nicaragua made it unsafe. I didn't know what to expect from the change in my role, but I firmly believe that things turned out for the better. Ecuador is such a beautiful country and the community we serve is filled with incredibly warm-hearted individuals that you can feel good about serving. The type of volunteers that Manna attracts are driven, passionate leaders who you will benefit on a personal level from spending time with. The level of autonomy that Manna volunteers are given is incredible. Volunteers are regularly challenged and given numerous opportunities to gain valuable, hands-on professional experience. I applied to law schools during my time with Manna and admissions officers from several top 14 law schools were very impressed by my experience with Manna and noted in their acceptance letters that they would like to learn more about my time here. This role is not only a wonderful resume booster, but also a wonderful life changer. Living in Latin America teaches you to be fearless, flexible, and adaptive. Life in Ecuador is very different from the United States and there is something to be said about learning to live in a culture that is very different from your own. Something that I think is really special about Manna is there are many different length positions that they offer! You don't have to commit yourself to spending two years in a position within a country you know little about.

Some tips for those interested in joining Manna:
Be flexible and adaptive! Latin America is very different from the United State. You cannot expect things here to work the same as in the US. People here are much more laid-back and operate on very different schedules. It takes a little time to adjust but you just have to be patient! Additionally, if you are interested in becoming a member of the Manna team, you should know that good teamwork is absolutely necessary. Good communication skills and a commitment to helping out are essential!

I served as a Program Director with Manna Project International from August 2018 to December 2018 at their Ecuador site. As a Program Director, I had the opportunity to lead several community programs including Kid's and Adult English and an English class for aspiring English teachers. I also worked at Manna's local community center and with several community partners, including a shelter for teenage mothers, a program for adults with disabilities, and a local university. One thing that I really loved about my experience with Manna is that I could tailor my experience based on my interests. I am very interested in education so that was the focus of most of my programs. However, other program directors did more health and economic development-based programs. I also helped with organizational roles within the non-profit, including running their social media pages and writing grants. These roles are great resume builders! I think that being a program director is a great post-grad experience- you get to experience another culture (and not just as a tourist- Manna really inserts you into their local community), learn/practice your Spanish, and have many invaluable professional development experiences. Also, the Manna staff was very supportive during my experience as a Program Director. Sometimes it can be difficult living and working in a foreign country, but the support I received from Manna helped me navigate these challenges. I really think the large support network you receive separates Manna from other similar programs.

Manna is a fantastic organization that aims to have a positive impact on the communities it serves by letting those being served lead its activities.

I am a former volunteer Program Director with Manna Project International and personally had an amazing experience with the organization. Volunteering with Manna is a great opportunity for recent college graduates to gain hands-on development experience and develop other job skills. Program Directors are in charge of planning and executing all of the organization's community development programs, which is a level of responsibility rarely given to recent college grads. While this means the position can be very challenging at times, it is an amazing opportunity to develop personally and professionally while also making a positive difference in communities in need.