My Nonprofit Reviews

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!