Estela (back row, fourth from left) and classmates on the first day of English Vocational Training.
New English Vocational Program Prepares Students for Employment
Estela is one of MPI Nicaragua's top English students and has worked her way to level 5, our most advanced class. She is one of eleven people in our pilot English Vocational Training Program, which started this month in Cedro Galán.
Curriculum for the course was developed in partnership with Sitel, one of Managua's largest call center employers. Students will learn the specific English, listening comprehension, typing, Internet use and customer etiquette skills they will need to work for a company like Sitel.
English Vocational Training is also a great motivator for students in the lower levels of English. Call center positions are well paid and can make a huge difference in the lives of our students.
"I'm excited to learn more skills - especially speaking, listening and the computer skills. I currently don't have a job but I think this class will be a great experience for me." - Estela, 35
Business Training in Ecuador
After months of preparation, MPI Ecuador has started an exciting new class for jobseekers and aspiring business owners. Working in partnership with the US-based non-profit Education Global Access Program (E-Gap), this class teaches interview skills, resume writing, and all the necessary aspects of starting a successful business. Classes incorporate guest speakers and business leaders from the community, computer skills training, and the opportunity to participate in local business internships. Our students are putting their dreams into practice!
Run for Health in Cedro Galán
The women of MPI's Cedro Galán exercise boot camp class are teaming up with Program Directors to prepare for the third annual Cedro 5K on March 19th. Boot camp team leaders are busy signing up members of the community to join a team for race day.
All proceeds of the race go directly toward the health clinic serving the community. Sponsor a team today! From the 5K teams and the community of Cedro Galán, muchas gracias!
Creative Science Club Makes Science Fun in Ecuador
Creative Science Club students with Gabby before their egg drop experiment
Creative Science Club is the biggest hit at the MPI Ecuador Centro this year! Program Director Gabby leads the Creative Science Club in cool, crafty science activities, ranging from engineering an egg drop experiment to "agua marina," a water and oil combination experiment with recycled bottles.
Click here to meet the winners of the egg drop experiment -->
Education Program Prepares Students for a Career in Medicine
Generation students learn about a variety of career options at a medical job fair
MPI Nicaragua's third generation of students in the Youth Medical Career Education Program started classes this month. This program, called Generation, prepares young adults to work in the medical field. Students gain additional skills by volunteering in the Cedro Galán Health Clinic.
Cedro Galán Community Elects 2016 Advisory Board
The Cedro Galán community takes an active role in the development of the Cedro Clinic. Each year, the community elects an advisory board, La Junta Directiva. Fourteen newly elected community representatives will meet monthly to plan and give input for the direction of the clinic in 2016.
In The News
“In this increasingly globalized world, it is imperative that we align public policy to support the transnational movement of the world’s most important and valuable resource — people."
- Dunc Fulton, Immigration Attorney and MPI alumnus
Dunc Fulton, an MPI Program Director in Ecuador from 2008-2009 and current board member, was recently featured by Tulane University for his work as an immigration attorney in Louisiana. Read the article here -->
MannaMail, Issue 164 © Manna Project International 2016