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.
