I feared my lack of Spanish would hold me back during the externship—but instead, it pushed me to connect in new ways. Simple phrases, shared work, and warm community invitations made me feel less like an outsider and more like a part of something bigger.
Nurturing Community Growth: How Manna's Chicken Project in Ilayaku is Transforming Lives
Chickens are an essential asset in numerous communities, offering not only a reliable food source but also serving as a vehicle for economic empowerment. The consistent production of eggs and meat from chickens significantly enhances nutritional intake and can increase family incomes, particularly for those facing food insecurity.
In various initiatives, we have integrated chicken farming as a sustainable agricultural practice. By equipping local community members with training in effective poultry care and management, we not only advance food security but also create pathways for entrepreneurship. Chickens require a relatively low initial investment, making them an accessible option for families aiming to improve their financial stability while thriving in diverse environments.
Additionally, involving families in chicken farming promotes cooperation within the community. Neighbors come together to share knowledge, resources, and support, thereby reinforcing the community's social fabric. As families acquire the skills necessary for raising chickens, they also develop an appreciation for sustainable farming practices, which can be transmitted to future generations. Thus, chicken farming evolves into more than just a means of sustenance; it becomes a vital catalyst for comprehensive community development.
What to Ask When You Want to Volunteer Abroad to Avoid White Saviorism
There are so many things that you need to consider when you travel abroad or volunteer abroad in 2024 that it’s hard to know where to start! You are probably considering your long term impact on the community and earth, the sustainability of the programs that you’re joining onto, whether or not you’re contributing to a sustainable solution to systemic challenges, the culture that you’re stepping into and how to best respect it, how to make an impact abroad without playing into white saviorism and colonialist tropes, and that’s before you think about your own logistics and challenges.
When Soccer Isn't Just a Sport: Futbol in Shandia
Growing up in Maryland, I played soccer until around middle school, when I realized I wasn’t all that good at it and that I was in love with basketball instead. Since then, I’ve been known to kick the occasional ball around, but I was pretty nervous when I was invited, along with my friend and fellow PD Patrick, to play for Once Valientes B (in English: eleven brave ones) in the Shandia soccer league.
Music, Colors, Foods … and lots of Laughter - Carnaval in Shandia
As in many parts of the world, this past week in Shandia was all about the celebration of Carnaval. Originally coming from an area that calls the local Carnival the annual “fifth season”, I was especially excited to see what Carnaval in Ecuador would look like. What would the local customs, foods and music be like?