Practicing Patience

By: Chelsea Hipwell

The internship experience has been uniquely challenging because of its holistic nature. The structure is both a work-based internship as well as community living, and I’ve found that both of these areas of focus impact one another, and that boundaries between work and life can become very blurred.

The first few days involved a lot of orientation to the local area, understanding where we live and learning where to shop for groceries, where to get the bus, etc. For our internships, each of the 12 interns had the opportunity to shadow a variety of placements, from community partner organizations to English classes and special project meetings. While we all took a pre-trip survey to determine what projects and placements we would be most interested in, we then had the opportunity to make adjustments based on our shadowing experiences.

Personally, I had been very interested in jumping right in and getting started on a needs assessment. Knowing that needs assessments can take a lot of planning on the front end, I wanted to ensure that I’d be able to do as much as possible before the end of the 10-week internship. However, like most work in community health and development, I was quickly reminded of the importance of taking one’s time to get to know the community first and foremost. Building trust by getting to know community members, such as students in English classes, parents of students, participants and staff in partner organizations, as well as Manna Project staff, was all essential to make sure that I wouldn’t repeat previously completed projects and contribute in a meaningful way in line with the current needs of the organization. It also helped me to learn about ideas and concerns that people had in an informal way, which in turn helped my team to better guide our needs assessment interview questions. While the organization certainly has thoughts about what the community might need, it was important to be reminded that community involvement at every step of the process had to be a priority.

This lesson in patience was an important one to learn at the start, and it continued to be a necessary reminder throughout this experience. Practically, this meant practicing Spanish and being willing to admit when I didn’t understand and needed clarity. On a bigger scale, midway through the internship, nationwide protests in Ecuador caused us to have to work virtually for about a week, and also caused us to cancel some much-anticipated travel plans to some other cities due to road closures. In both personal and professional capacities, I’ve learned to exercise more patience and flexibility and to maintain focus on my end goal, even if it means taking extra time or a less efficient means to arrive there. In recent years and again this summer, I’ve learned that interruptions both big and small will occur in life, and rather than be caught off guard, I intend to practice a mindset of finding meaningful lessons that can help me grow.

The Dimensions of Wellness

By: Sarai Ordonez

The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmary.” This definition basically states that health is more than just being sick or healthy. Health is a wide spectrum that fluctuates daily and has multiple parts and key factors that can affect it. Health effects everyone and we all have the ability to improve our health through conscious efforts!

So we will be focusing on the dimensions of wellness.

The Dimensions of Wellness model was originally developed by Dr. Bill Hettler at the National Wellness Institute and included only six dimensions. However some models now include 8 dimensions and add financial and environmental to the wheel.

The dimensions of wellness model is a holistic and interdependent model, meaning that every dimension affects the other and together, all of the dimensions contribute to a healthy life.

Health is a central part of human happiness and wellbeing.

Wellness is very important because every behavior we engage in and every emotion we feel affects our wellbeing. Wellbeing also affects our actions and emotions as well, demonstrating the interdependence of this model. For example, When you feel physically sick, like the flu or a stomach virus, you are more likely to be short with others and get angry or be frustrated.

So let's get into the different dimensions of wellness.

First dimension we’re going to talk about is the physical dimension. The physical dimension is the dimension everyone thinks of when they think of health. It’s essentially caring for your body. It encompasses everything dealing with your physical body such as nutrition, exercise, biological illness and sleep. It also includes getting help when you need it, like going to the doctor when you feel sick. and paying attention to the signs of illness given by your body.

So how can we ensure we are physically fit? The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends 150 minutes of physical activity every week for adults. This might sound like a lot but when split up, it’s only 30 minutes per day for 5 days a week. Setting a reminder on your phone M-F to complete 30 minutes of physical activity can increase the chances of you actually engaging in it. It’s all about the priority you place on it. And trust me, your health is worth prioritizing! 

Next we’re going to talk about the social dimension of wellness. The social dimension encourages engagement with your community through active communication and intimacy. Typically when people think of communities they think of the city they live in or college they attend but we are a part of so many different communities like our families, the churches we attend, even the Manna community! By recognizing yourself as an important part of a community, you begin to develop a sense of responsibility for the improvement of your community by using your knowledge and skills. 

This dimension also looks at the social networks we have access to that can create opportunities to develop new healthy and intimate relationships and friendships. This has been a bit difficult with COVID but in this new virtual space we have access to a large and diverse network through Manna that we are able to develop new relationships in!

The environmental dimension is a new dimension that inspires us to live a healthy lifestyle that respects the earth by living in harmony with Earth and all of Earth's creatures. This dimension also promotes having interactions with nature to motivate us to take action to protect the Earth. Some ways we can begin to protect Earth and work on our environmental dimensions of health is reducing our waste production, and recycling plastic, Conserving water use, and minimizing the use of chemicals that are harmful to the environment. This can include carpooling, turning off the water when brushing your teeth and finding new ways to use old plastic. By being socially responsible and aware of our impact on earth, we will be able to live in more harmony with nature, leading to an increased connection of the self and the earth.

The next dimension of the emotional dimension. The emotional dimensions encompasses at the awareness and acceptance of the wide range of feelings felt by yourself and others. By being aware and accepting of your emotions, you will be better able to manage the feelings and behaviors produced by your emotions. 

A key part of being emotionally healthy is having healthy coping mechanisms for stress. Stress is a very normal part of life but having too much can negatively affect your health. Long term exposure to stress has been linked to an increased risk for heart disease. So it’s very important to learn to cope with it effectively and not fall into bad coping mechanisms. Some examples of negative coping strategies include eating when emotional, sleeping, being overly busy, and other. Some great stress coping mechanisms are mediating, deep breathing exercises, and sharing how you feel with others. And Remember your emotions are valid!

The fifth dimension is the intellectual dimension. This dimension recognizes the need for stimulating mental activities. Just like we exercise our bodies, we also need to exercise our minds as well. When someone has a rich intellectual dimension, they enjoy expanding their knowledge and skills. This can go beyond just the classroom, although formal education is a great source of intellectual growth. Engaging in activities related to problem solving and creativity are great ways to improve your intellectual dimension of health. The main point is to continue to expand and challenge your mind as you age.

The next dimension is the occupational dimension. This dimension involves the personal satisfaction and enrichment that is gained from working. It’s important that the work being done aligns with your personal values, goals, and lifestyle in order to feel personal satisfaction from it. This dimension also includes enjoying work endeavors and contributing your unique gifts, skills and talents to do work that is fulfilling to you.

This dimension is especially important as we enter adulthood by envisioning what your future goals are and choosing a career path that fits your values. The Myers Briggs personality test is a great starting point for this.

So tying into the occupational dimension is the spiritual dimension. The spiritual dimension of health recognizes our need for meaning and purpose in life. When seeking meaning and purpose in life it is essential to develop values. This does not necessarily have to be religious but it can be if you are religious. It can also include things like relaxation and mediation. Being spiritually well means knowing which resources to use to cope with issues that come up in everyday life and coping effectively with life’s ups and downs. 

People who are spiritually well are typically inquisitive, fully present, and live by their principles while giving themselves and others the freedom to be their true self.

The last dimension is the financial dimension. Money management is crucial to being a well rounded and healthy person. An important part of the financial dimension is learning how to successfully manage financial expenses, income, debts and savings. Savings are very important when planning for the future and emergencies. Creating a budget listing incomes and expenses can help to prioritize saving money and allow for wiser spending decisions, reducing unnecessary expenses.

Hopefully by now you have a general understanding of how complex health can be. It’s important to take time to work on each dimension of wellness and always work towards improving your health! Your health is worth prioritizing!

Review From First Session Summer Interns!

By: Erin Solloway

As we finished up the first session of summer interns at Manna, we asked a few to describe their virtual experience. Check out what they have to say about their time with Manna Project International! 

Jason Wu- 

“For the past 5 weeks, I have been working on developing a new curriculum for our adult English classes. It’s been a challenge to integrate parts of our old curriculum with new material; however, I am proud of the work I have accomplished so far. Additionally, with my partner Jordan, we have been drafting proposals for new Health and Livelihood programs including a community clean-up initiative and a teen drug/alcohol abuse prevention seminar. Hopefully, in the fall, these programs will be up and running and address the needs of our community members. Thank you Manna for this incredible opportunity!”

Ashley Wells- 

“My time with Manna so far has been really fun! I have been working with the Community Development and Outreach group and have helped to write a needs assessment for locals in Sangolqui, started a community map to help residents locate pre existing resources, and other members of the group have worked on the website promoting the needs assessment and creating a more user–friendly experience for Ecuadorians looking to access Manna information and resources. I have also been taking Spanish lessons and helping my language exchange partner learn phrasal verbs while we also teach each other about the cities we live in. The highlight of my experience has been without a doubt the language exchange program because I have ultimately become good friends with my partner. Teaching English and learning Spanish has been such a fun experience and it’s fun to see the similarities we have.”

Ally Millar- 

My time with Manna exceeded all my expectations. My favorite thing I worked on was creating a new needs assessment to survey community members about their wants. Manna can use this assessment to improve and create programs that better serve the community. I had 3 hours of Spanish class a week and 6 hours of working group meetings each week and that was for sure a highlight.  I made real connections to people in Ecuador despite working virtually. The volunteers I worked alongside were brilliant and I loved seeing how their minds worked. Along with that, Manna prioritized the growth and reflection of their volunteers through personal and professional workshops. What an incredible 5 weeks! Thank you MPI.

Erin Solloway- 

“Over these past five weeks I have had a blast learning all about Manna Project and how I can contribute in my small amount of time with them. I had the pleasure of working with Jackie and Elena on the communication and fundraising team, and we were able to create social media posts as well as grant research. Together we even completed the first phase of a grant proposal, with the hope of gaining funding for Manna’s english programs. I also grew professionally through the various informational seminars given by Manna staff and alumni. Through the language exchange program I improved my Spanish and learned Ecuadorian slang from my partner Shakira, and through my Spanish lessons I was able to practice holding a conversation with my incredibly patient teacher, Ms. Nuñez. My favorite thing about Manna is by far the people I’ve met, who have helped me to grow professionally and personally more than I ever thought would be possible through a virtual internship. Thank you Manna for an unforgettable five weeks!”

Elena Walker- 

“Interning virtually these past five weeks for Manna Project has been the highlight of my summer so far. I went in with unconsciously high expectations because I had been so excited to go to Ecuador. I was hoping that the virtual internship would at least half make up for not actually being able to intern abroad. Somehow my expectations were exceeded, and I have learned so much about myself as an individual and about my future career. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of Manna’s amazing employees and working with the Project Directors and other summer interns. Knowing that the work I was doing for Manna was actually going to affect the community in a positive way was an experience that I had never had. From writing our first Letter of Inquiry to apply for a grant to weekly Zoom calls with my Ecuadorian language exchange partner, there have been countless amazing moments in such a short five weeks. I will carry with me the values and lessons I learned from my time with Manna as I move into different stages of my education and career path. I am grateful for the opportunity to have come alongside an organization like Manna who truly cares for and respects the community it serves.”

Joaquin Pacheco Criado-

“During my first 5-weeks at Manna I was part of the Program Design & Evaluation group. There, I primarily helped with the development of a micro-loan program to support the financial needs of the Equatorian community affected by the COVID-19 related economic crisis. I love the energy each and every member of Manna has and it was a great pleasure to share these 5 weeks with them. I am looking forward to making this project succeed and contribute to Manna’s goal of improving the lives of those in need.”

Laura Rono-

“My internship at Manna has exceeded my exceptions far beyond what I thought it was going to be. While it is a bummer that we were not able to be on-site in Sangolqui, Ecuador, I have grown so much during this internship. I have also met some amazing people and made friendships that have been so meaningful. In 6 weeks my Spanish grew unlike any other skill I've ever learned. Sì. Es verdad. I am so grateful for the chance to learn from the community partners like Fundacion Niños Con Destino. My language exchange partner and I talk about the most random things in this world. I enjoy it so much because I get to see a different perspective, but also how similar Kenyan and Ecuadorian culture is! I can't wait to see what my next four weeks will be like, and to contribute even more to the English lessons and designing program processes.”

Your Spanish-speaking ability should NOT be a concern

By: Kate Clendenen

At Manna Project, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to volunteer in Latin America, regardless of one’s Spanish proficiency. Volunteers of all levels of Spanish language abilities have worked and thrived at our sites. You will be able to experience all Manna Project has to offer no matter where you are in your Spanish, as long as you are willing to step outside your comfort zone and practice. We understand that a concern for potential or incoming volunteers may be speaking Spanish. We also realize that those who are already skilled Spanish speakers may not understand how coming to Ecuador could positively impact their Spanish. Therefore, as an effort to address these considerations, I’ve interviewed some of our Program Directors to give you the chance to learn from their experiences.

Gaby - Starting Level: Beginner

1. What was your Spanish like when you arrived?

I would definitely use the term “nonexistent”. I had never taken a formal Spanish class in school before or anything.

2. How did it feel to use your Spanish during the first week of being here?

It was really stressful at first because I didn’t know how to speak and couldn’t understand a single person. There was a really big learning curve--I relied on my fellow Program Directors a lot!

3. What was the biggest obstacle you faced, with regard to your Spanish use, during your first few weeks in Ecuador?

I mean, pretty much everything presented some sort of obstacle or challenge because I didn’t have any Spanish skills!

4. Can you share any funny or embarrassing Spanish fail moments?

In the beginning of the semester, when I was teaching my first kids’ English class, I learned the phrase “ojos por aca” which means “eyes over here”, but when I tried to use it for the first time I accidentally said “hojas por aca” which means “papers over here”. Right after I said the words, suddenly all the kids started walking up to me and handing me their papers. I was so confused.

5. How long did it take you to start feeling more confident in your Spanish?

It definitely took me a good few months. If I had to guess, I would say it took me more than 4 months to feel confident. However, it took me less time to start having a little fun with it. It stopped stressing me out a couple months in because I just came to accept where my Spanish was.

6. How would you describe your Spanish now?

I would say I’m probably at an intermediate level. I have high hopes for continuing to improve, but I’m still pretty proud of where I am now when I consider that I started out knowing NOTHING.

7. Can you describe a moment in which you remember recognizing how greatly your Spanish improved?

When I first started teaching my kids class I felt so bad because I couldn’t understand their questions so it was really a struggle. But by the middle of the quarter, I was finally able to understand and answer the questions with relative ease.

8. What advice do you have for people that plan to come to Ecuador with regard to their Spanish usage?

The only way to improve is to put yourself out there and really spend time with Ecuadorians. That is truly the only way that my Spanish improved. You also have to realize that people here want to learn English just as much as you want to learn Spanish. Our community members also really love helping you improve, so there is no reason to feel embarrassed. It helps a lot once you start to really keep that in mind.

9. What is the Spanish phrase you say the most often?

Chuta! It is the Ecuadorian version of “shoot” and it also usually gets a laugh out of the locals when they hear me using it.

Kelly - Starting Level: Intermediate

1. What was your Spanish like when you arrived?

It had been about 7 years since I had taken my last Spanish class, but my Spanish was fine. It was mainly my confidence that held me back.

2. How did it feel to use your Spanish during the first week of being here?

I actually enjoyed knowing that I would have ample opportunity to practice my Spanish. I chose to live in a Spanish-speaking country for a reason. However, I will admit that I still got nervous, especially in one-on-one Spanish conversations.

3. What was the biggest obstacle you faced, with regard to your Spanish use, during your first few weeks in Ecuador?

I was at a level of Spanish where I was constantly aware of the mistakes that I was making but, at the same time, there was nothing I could do in the moment to correct it--I just didn’t know those rules. Still, it was nice because I quickly came to realize the gaps in my knowledge which gave me the chance focus on improving those areas specifically.

4. Can you share any funny or embarrassing Spanish fail moments?

Often times, I won’t understand what someone is saying to me in Spanish. Then they’ll ask me a question in the middle of the conversation and it isn’t a yes or no question but my default is just to say “Uh-huh sí”--I always get a funny look back.

5. How long did it take you to start feeling more confident in your Spanish?

I would estimate two months to three months max.

6. How would you describe your Spanish now?

I would say that I am approaching a more advanced level. I also know what I need to do to take it to the next level, it’s just a matter of prioritization.

7. Can you describe a moment in which you remember recognizing how greatly your Spanish improved?

A mother of a child taking our English classes would hang out at our Community Center to chat with me while she waited for her daughter’s class to end. She was really interested in getting to know me so our conversations would run pretty long. When we first started having these conversations, I used to get pretty nervous because it took a lot of effort on my part to string together the right words. After a while, though, I remember there was this one time where I was speaking much more quickly and the words were coming out with a lot less effort. Even the mother made a point to tell me that she noticed my Spanish was really improving!

8. What advice do you have for people that plan to come to Ecuador with regard to their Spanish usage?

When you’re out in public--on the bus or in the grocery store, for example--it’s easy to tune out the Spanish because understanding it doesn’t come easily. I would highly recommend fighting this habit to take the easy route. It really helps to consciously make an effort to understand what people are saying--take notice of the tone and pronunciation. Think outside the box in terms of learning opportunities because there are way more than you would expect that present themselves every day.  

9. What is the Spanish phrase you say the most often?

Nos vemos! It means “see you later”. It is always handy to have a nice way of saying goodbye.

Abigale - Starting Level: Advanced

1. What was your Spanish like when you arrived?

It was actually pretty good! I took Spanish classes in high school and undergrad. When I arrived to Ecuador, I had just finished a 5-month trip in Mexico where I took college-level classes that were taken by local Mexican college students and taught entirely in Spanish. I’d had a lot of practice.

2. How did it feel to use your Spanish during the first week of being here?

I felt fine, but it was a little rocky at first because I was familiar with a different dialect of Spanish.

3. What was the biggest obstacle you faced, with regard to your Spanish use, during your first few weeks in Ecuador?

A lot of the words I used were incorrect because Spanish dialects vary a lot more than I expected! Even with my level of experience with Spanish, I still found myself saying quite a few things slightly incorrectly.

4. Can you share any funny or embarrassing Spanish fail moments?

I would say my most common, recurring fail moment is calling kids “usted”. For those of you who are not familiar, there are two ways of saying “you” in Spanish: “Tu” is the informal way and that’s how you refer to friends or people who are younger than you. “Usted” is how you refer to elders or to strangers who you want to be polite to.  Sometimes when I am trying to reprimand a kid in class I will accidentally call them usted, which immediately causes my words to land less effectively.

5. How long did it take you to start feeling more confident in your Spanish?

A couple weeks because, like I said, I’d been in Mexico for 5 months prior to my role with Manna so I mainly just had to adjust my dialect.

6. How would you describe your Spanish now?

It’s great! I’m really happy with how things are progressing! It’s really cool to be familiar with two different dialects.

7. Can you describe a moment in which you remember recognizing how greatly your Spanish improved?

Well, when I was in Mexico, I got really good at formal Spanish because that was the kind of Spanish we used in the college classes I was taking. Since being here, I have greatly improved in my more casual Spanish. I think a moment when I realized this was one night when I was out with friends in Quito and I had a long conversation with a native Ecuadorian friend. The slang and informal sentence structures were were coming to me pretty effortlessly. I remember noticing that I was able enjoy the conversation more because I felt like my Spanish was at the right level which allowed my friend and I to connect more naturally.

8. What advice do you have for people that plan to come to Ecuador with regard to their Spanish usage?

Take notice of the phrases that are common and practice using them yourself. This will enable you to connect with community members in a language style that they actually use rather than something you got from a book.  

9. What is the Spanish phrase you say the most often?

Mande? This is the Ecuadorian version of saying “Excuse me?” or “What was that?” It has saved me a lot when I don’t quite understand what someone is saying to me! It is also cool because a lot of Spanish-speaking countries use “Como?” but “mande” is more unique to Ecuador.

Fundraising 101 from a current Program Director

By: Kelly Teshima-McCormick, 13-month Ecuador Program Director, 2018-2019

The task of raising money can be daunting. Throw in a lack of experience and the goal of $9,100 and it can feel impossible. But with the right mindset, determination and a little creativity, attacking this task can be a little easier than you might expect.

I am by no means an expert or even a “good” fundraiser, but sharing my experience thus far with raising money for myself and for Manna Project might help those who are struggling with where to even start. Please keep in mind that the following steps, challenges, successes and suggestions are all from my personal experience with fundraising as a newbie.

Step 1

First, I created a fundraising page using the platform Mightycause, as suggested by Manna Project because it is the platform that Manna Project itself uses. Plus, by linking my page with that of Manna Project’s, I was able to show and tell potential donors that their money would be directed towards Manna Project, versus to a personal account of mine.

Step 2

I then shared my fundraising page with friends and family via email, text, phone calls, and Facebook. I chose not to share in a post to my Instagram account because that is not how I use that form of social media (although I did utilize the “story” option for another fundraiser).

• Challenge #1- At first, I received positive support from friends and family, but didn’t see much of that support in the form of a donation. How could I turn friends’ “likes” and comments into dollars and cents on my fundraising page? I understand that many of my friends are just getting into their careers or are figuring it out, so they don’t have a lot of extra cash lying around. Some approaches included asking friends to share my posts with their network on Facebook, granting a “Tokyo experience” for each donation over $25 and reminding friends that literally any dollar amount makes a difference. (At the time, I was living in Tokyo, Japan and gave people the option of sending three “experiences,” such as eating a certain food, visiting a certain place, etc., and for each donation over $25, I promised to complete one of their requests. This was not successful, but worth a shot.) 

• Challenge #2- With emailing family members, I was nervous because I felt a bit awkward asking for money from people I may not have seen or talked to in a while. Add to that some family friends who are part of the family listserv, and it can feel even more awkward. But raising money and awareness for Manna Project, as well as fulfilling the financial obligation as a Program Director, is more important than a slight feeling of uneasiness.

• Success #1- Casting such a wide net was helpful because even though I didn’t get responses from everyone, I still reached several family members (and friends whom I have yet to meet). You never know who is willing to donate and who is interested in learning about Manna Project. Now, I am focusing on following up with those who donated, keeping them engaged with what I am doing. I have a blog that talks about my time in Ecuador and with Manna Project, but I would like to explore different ways to maintain their interest and support.  

Step 3

Aside from direct donations, I hosted two events and sold t-shirts.

• Success #2- My first event actually took place in Tokyo, where I was living until I came to Ecuador. I hosted a bake sale outside of the language school I volunteered at. Bake sales are not common in Japan and the school was not in a high-traffic area, but I created a flyer with information in both English and Japanese, cards with links to my blog and fundraising page, and sold sweets at both language school locations. I also left a donation box at one of the sites that had information about me, Manna, and why this work is important. I was incredibly lucky to have such a supportive staff at the language school, to provide me the space and advertisement that I needed. Several parents told me that they were interested in me and the cause because volunteering abroad is not something that they would even think about; it’s not a common thought in Japan. They liked having the opportunity to talk to their children about the challenges that other kids and communities in the world are facing.

• Challenge #3- Next, I organized a happy hour fundraising event in Oakland, California. The main challenge with this event was finding food and prize donations. After moving out of Japan, I only had three weeks back in the United States before I had to leave for Ecuador and just a week and a half before my event. Organizing an event while in another country is not easy, as securing donations from local restaurants and businesses is much easier (and sometimes only done) in person.

  With little time to go to places in person, finding a restaurant to donate food to the event was very difficult. I ended up buying food myself. So my suggestion for hosting an event is to contact businesses early. I found that a few restaurants were interested in donating food, as it is something they often do, but they needed more notice than a week.

• Success #3- But securing prize donations went well! I created and printed a sheet with information about me, Manna Project, and the event and handed it out to several local businesses. Going into places in person is key; it is the reason why I was able to secure donations, such as free movie tickets and restaurant gift certificates.

• Success #4 -At my event, I also held a trivia game with categories such as Oakland, sports and Ecuador. Participants paid to play and the winner received a prize. I also had a raffle at the event, which allowed me to raise more money during the event. These were simple, low-cost ways to further raise money outside of the ticket sales to the happy hour itself (which is why securing prize donations was extremely helpful).

• Success #5- At the event, I also promoted at t-shirt that a friend had designed. We used Custom Ink’s fundraising option, which was great because there are no costs lost to the fundraiser if shirts aren’t sold. Once you sell a certain number of t-shirts, you start to earn money. This means that you don’t have to worry about purchasing the t-shirts yourself and hoping to sell them all in order to make money. Everything is done online, so getting the link out to people is very important. But this was also a challenge. 

• Challenge #4- Several friends expressed interest in buying the t-shirt, but because they needed to buy online, they weren’t always ready with their credit card when I’d send a reminder text about the buying window closing (I chose to have the t-shirt available for four weeks, the maximum). Easily fixed by getting up and grabbing their wallet, this challenge is common among young people, so figuring out a way to get people to the virtual checkout line without being pushy will lead to more success in this kind of effort. Despite a lower-than-expected turnout, I think the t-shirt sale was a success and I hope to design and sell another product soon.

The bottom line

Overall, my main suggestion for fundraising is to start early. Ask local businesses, friends, and family members for support and donations as soon as you can! If I was able to find some success with my short amount of time back in the United States, I’m sure you will also find success in your fundraising efforts.

You Are Invited to the Quarterly Impact Call

Who: You!

What: Quarterly Impact Call

Where: On your phone, tablet, or computer

Why: The Quarterly Impact Call is an opportunity to hear updates on the programs and people
that mean the most to you. Connect with in-country and U.S. staff as we answer your questions
and share MPI's strategic vision for the upcoming quarter. 

When: February 16 @ 8:00 PM EST
 
Sign up:

Thank you!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from everyone at MPI!

important Dates in 2017:

January 25: Summer Internship application deadline
LEARN MORE

February 1: Program Director application deadline
LEARN MORE

February 16 @ 8:00 PM EST: Quarterly Impact Call
 
The Quarterly Impact Call is a chance for you to hear the latest site updates from in-country staff and receive updates on the programs and communities that mean the most to you. Staff will be available to answer your questions and share strategic plans for the upcoming quarter. 

Sign up to receive call details:
 

Thank you!

Twelve Drummers Drumming

THE TWELFTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Eleven Pipers Piping

THE ELEVENTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Ten Lords A-Leaping

THE TENTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Nine Ladies Dancing

THE NINTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Eight Maids A-Milking

THE EIGHT GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Seven Swans A-Swimming

THE SEVENTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Six Geese A-Laying

THE SIXTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Five Golden Rings

THE FIFTH GIFT OF 2016 IS...

Four Calling Birds

The fourth gift of 2016 is...

Three French Hens

The third gift of 2016 is...

Two Turtle Doves

The second gift of 2016 is...

The 12 Gifts of 2016

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

Starting today, families across Latin America will celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas. The season will conclude on January 6th, Three Kings’ Day, when children will jump from their beds in search of a special gift.

In honor of this tradition, you are invited to join Manna Project in remembering the 12 most meaningful gifts of 2016. What are these incredible gifts? Hint: you are one of them! 

Today we begin a journey through “The Twelve Days of Manna." Each day, you'll find a "gift" posted here. The final gift will be posted the morning of January 6th, just as families are waking up to celebrate Three Kings' Day. 

You are the reason 2016 was so amazing - thank you for serving with Manna Project!

Thank you!

Carissa Chen
Nicaragua Program Director, 2015-2016

The first gift of 2016 is...

The Power of Love on #GivingTuesday

What is the real power of love?

We asked Huey Lewis and The News:

Did you press play yet? Do! (Then Come back...)

In the 4 minutes it takes to play this song, YOU have the power to send love straight to the heart of communities in need. It's #GivingTuesday, an international day of giving back. When you give today, your donation will be DOUBLED. There are two ways to send love today:

Manna Project volunteers are hosting Facebook fundraisers today on behalf of the projects that are close to their hearts. You can support one of these projects, or choose your own at the GivingTuesday page. All fundraisers will be eligible for matching funds.

Sending lots of love your way today and every day -