Manna Project International

The past 12 months have been a new chapter for Manna - we opened a new site in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador, we created a new "Program Director" position for college graduates, we hired new staff members, and we started 6 new projects in the Shandia area. Through it all, we had our first Program Director, Evan Gaalswyk, who spearheaded nutrition programs, teen English classes, and built so many relationships in the community. We are so appreciative of Evan and so excited to see what comes next for him!

🔈Chicken Project Update!!!🔈

May was a busy month for us in the Amazon Rainforest. Among many other things, we took an exciting step forward in our chicken project and delivered chickens to all the families in our pilot program. This is an important and life-changing moment for many of the families involved in our chicken project because it can mean sustainable access to protein and fats that are missing in many children's diets which leads to malnutrition and stunted growth. We are honored to be a part of this journey. Keep posted to hear and see more🐣

So pleased to share the latest dispatch from Ecuador from the words of . Check out the link in bio to learn a bit more about how to grow through play!

Have you ever thought about how can change your point of view and teach you new skills? is here to talk all about what he's learned in his first 6 months with . Read the link in bio to hear from him! https://loom.ly/4l-bkJ4

We were so grateful to have the Oilers Serving Abroad (OSA) group from return to Shandia this year after being some of the first volunteers on site in May of 2023. A group that always brings incredible enthusiasm and energy to the site, we were so grateful for their insight, flexibility, and resilience as we built eco paths, designed more trash cans, worked on afterschool kids' programming, celebrated Mother's Day and the 1 year Manna anniversary, and visited our wonderful partners . Can't wait to future impact and memories with this special group of Oilers!

We did it!! A huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated and helped us surpass our match goal! Together we raised $8,300 to support MPI’s community programs in Shandia! We are so grateful for the support of our Mannamily and can’t wait to share updates about the impact of your generosity!

We are so excited to introduce our newest Virtual Program Coordinator Shaila Patel! Shaila is a rising senior at Northeastern University in Boston where she studies International Business and Finance with minors in Sustainable Business Practices and Geosciences. She is passionate about sustainable development and plans to attend law school after her undergrad. With Manna, she'll be helping our on-site programs in Gender Equality and helping behind the scenes, ensuring long term impact and growth. Welcome to the team, Shaila! 🚀

We were so excited to welcome this amazing group from the Belmont Interfaith Council to our community in Shandia! They immersed themselves in initiatives from education to creating amazing murals to trail development to recycling and sustainability.

We were so excited to be able to learn from this group as they lent their diverse professional skills to build up ongoing programs, including marketing and small business development. Through their collaborative efforts, they not only left a tangible mark through the projects they helped with, but also cultivated enduring bonds of solidarity and shared purpose, embodying both the ethos of interfaith collaboration as well as the basis for enacting positive social change 🚀🇪🇨

Have you seen our new -shirts? Designed here in Shandia, worn worldwide 😎✌️

Our onsite team had a sick opportunity (no pun intended) to take a Wilderness First Aid class in collaboration with and La Cruz Roja Ecuatoriana. We're so excited to have this opportunity to and a bit more about nature and be even more ready for our next adventure!

Happy Mother's Day to all the incredible moms and caregivers out there! Your boundless love and unwavering dedication are the heartbeat of our communities. Today, and every day, we honor you 💕

Join us in extending that gratitude by making a donation to support caregivers in Shanida! Today is the last chance to double your impact and help us reach our $3,500 match! Together, let's spread love and support to those who give endlessly!
https://www.mannaproject.org/love-of-moms

As we get closer to in Ecuador and the US, we wanted to celebrate some fun facts over the holiday - including that it comes from Ancient Greece! Then after you've become more knowledgeable on Mother's Day, consider making a donation to support women and girls in rural Ecuador at the link in our bio - just 2 days left to have your donation matched!

Continuing with our celebration of mothers and caregivers and all women in our lives, we want to share some of the faces of other people who benefit from programming in Shandia. A strong caregiver is a base for a healthy and loving future!

Meet Myrian, a participant in MPI’s new chicken project in Iliyaku and an amazing mother of three! Born in Tena, Myrian has faced her share of hardships, including the loss of her mother and beloved brother, and later the loss of her home in a fire. Despite these challenges, Myrian has never lost hope for a better future, fueled by the love of her family and her dedication as a mother. “Being a mom means a lot to me,” she says. “It means to give my kids advice, to raise them honest, collaborative, respectful and humble wherever they may go. I love them and my priority is to see them happy and not in need of anything.”

Together with her husband, Myrian worked tirelessly to fulfill his dream of opening a small carpentry shop. Now, they strive every day to support their family and build a better future. Myrian hopes for her children to be able to thrive and become professionals in whatever field they choose, and for her community to be a place of unity and harmony. Join us in celebrating Myrian’s resilience and strength this Mother's Day. Your support can help her in her journey towards a brighter future for her family and community!

Go to the link in bio to support a better future for Myrian and her children!

It's not always easy to see the bigger impact that your donation can have on a community, so we wanted to highlight some of the community-led initiatives going on in Shandia, Ecuador to understand where your money would go! 🥰

And remember, now through Sunday all donations made up to $3,500 will be MATCHED! That means your money will be doing double the work! Go to the link in bio to make a contribution to a better future for Shandia!

This Mother's Day, don't add to global waste, but instead to promote gender equality in . Check out the link in bio to support opportunities for women and girls in Kichwa indigenous communities to fight poverty and gender imbalances worldwide!

👋Meet Dionila, an extraordinary mother of eight and pillar of the Shandia community! She is one of the amazing teachers we work with at the local public school and has also been giving Kichwa classes to our volunteers!

Born and raised in Shandia, Dionila began her teaching career at just 19 years old. She says that becoming certified as a teacher is one of her greatest achievements, and she has now spent over 30 years dedicated to instilling values of respect and hard work in her students.

Despite the challenges of balancing her career with raising a large family, Dionila has never wavered in her dedication. She has strived to raise her eight children to be compassionate and responsible members of the community, encouraging them to work hard at their studies while maintaining their roots to Kichwa culture. While some of them are now off living and working in other areas, she says her kids are the pillars of her life and that she cherishes the bond that keeps them connected, regardless of distance.

Like many in her community, Dionila envisions a brighter future for her children, grandchildren, and students. She hopes for the expansion of educational opportunities and programs to uplift the welfare of her whole community. This Mother's Day, let's honor Dionila and all the remarkable individuals like her who inspire us with their resilience and determination. Together, we can help make her vision of a brighter Shandia a reality!

Happy Labor Day in Ecuador! This we want to celebrate and honor all the different types of labor - from formal to informal, in offices, schools, markets, and in the home. We want to thank all the caregivers in the world supporting households and caring for children. We ask you to help us support these caregivers in Shandia by donating to our ongoing matching campaign to create better health, livelihood, and educational opportunities for caregivers in the rural Amazon Rainforest!

We're so excited to announce that our has been sponsored by two incredibly generous donors who have agreed to match all donations up to $3,500! That means that ALL donations up to $3,500 made on or before May 12 will count for *double* their value. This is an exceptional opportunity to make a difference in the lives and futures of mothers, caregivers, young women, and babies in the Amazon Rainforest. Check out the link in the bio to make a donation today!

Meet Graciela, one of the many inspiring mother figures we have come to know in Shandia. At 64, her life is a testament to empowerment, community, and unwavering love for family. Parents to three biological and two adopted children, Graciela and her husband dedicated their lives to education, shaping young minds as teachers for nearly two decades.
In 2012, Graciela's leadership extended beyond the classroom as she took on the role of president of the Shandia Community. During this time, she also formed the women's group, aptly named "Hormigas Trabajadoras" or "Working Ants,” which flourished under her leadership and, now with her daughter as the president, continues to be a symbol of unity and empowerment for women throughout the community.
Despite the demands of leadership and teaching, Graciela never wavered in her commitment to her family and one of her greatest triumphs was seeing all her children flourish into professionals, carrying forward the values of integrity and respect that she instilled in them.
Now, as a grandmother, Graciela's nurturing spirit continues to inspire the next generation. With unwavering hope for the future, Graciela dreams of a brighter tomorrow for Shandia—a future built upon “unity, progress, and development.” As we celebrate Mother's Day, let's honor Graciela and all the remarkable mothers, guardians, and mentors like her who shape our communities and inspire us to dream bigger. Together, let's make Graciela's dream a reality by supporting her vision for a stronger, more empowered Shandia!

Join us this Mother’s Day in honoring all the incredible caregivers who shape our lives with their love and guidance! Whether it’s a mom, dad, stepparent, grandparent, guardian, or mentor, every caregiver deserves recognition for their invaluable role.
This year, skip the traditional flowers and honor the caregivers who have made a difference in your life by giving a gift that gives back! Your donation in their honor not only celebrates their impact but also supports vital services for communities and caregivers in need.
And here’s the best part: your generosity will be DOUBLED!! Thanks to a generous matching donor, every dollar you donate will be matched, up to $3,500. Don’t miss this opportunity to honor a mother figure in your life and make a meaningful impact in our community. Give today and let’s spread love, gratitude, and positive change together!

The community that plants together grows together! 🌱 It's been so exciting to watch our become a with fruits and vegetables to nourish and share with our in the coming months and years 💙

Welcome to with Manna in the Amazon! 🌱💻Not only is it a great opportunity to teach and connectivity to youth and young adults and help support and homework help, but it's also so fun to work with our youngest neighbors, students, and friends and see them grow in their classwork, creativity, and their silliness and personalities shine in an informal learning environment.

A little from recess this week at
in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest!

Have you ever wondered how our international volunteers get to meet people and become immersed in the community and culture of the Amazon Rainforest? Well, you're in luck - this month's blog courtesy of digs into when football is so much more than a game! ⚽Read all about it here https://loom.ly/yZWRUGM

Have you ever wondered what social impact might look like in a Kichwa community in the Amazon Rainforest? Here's example 101: An Agricultural Share Program! 👨‍🌾🌱

is a student farmer originally from Malawi who has always dreamed about learning from cultures internationally to improve his community's way of life in Malawi. Upon joining Manna in Ecuador, he set to create a sharing space with local farmers and agriculturists to discover cultural ways of farming, best practices, and to learn and grow together.

The project officially takes off this weekend with the first community Minga, but Patrick has had fun joining Bertila in her chakra lately to learn more about her way of farming and share his own!

At Manna, we're so proud of our team retreats as they show our commitment to professional development as well as community building. Once a quarter, all Manna interns, Program Coordinators, and Program Directors work together to choose a spot off-site that they can spend 48 hours brainstorming, learning, talking, and also hiking and enjoying nature and the surroundings. Our team just came back from their Q1 retreat feeling rejuvenated and cohesive. So grateful for this group!