Manna Project International

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Manna Project International

Community development in Ecuador and Nicaragua

12/06/2025

Welcome to the jungle, summer interns! 🌿☀️

We're a little late to the intro, but we’re so excited to kick off the summer with this incredible group. Here’s to a summer of learning, community, and impact with Manna Project in the Amazon!

10/06/2025

My favorite part about volunteering with Manna was definitely the community in which I was surrounded by. Everyone, from the kiddos to the Manna staff and older people in Shandia, were all so welcoming and made the trip so much more enjoyable! In particular, I really enjoyed painting the artisan shop area at the playa - the touch of color was definitely an upgrade! Taking water (and dance) breaks, talking with the artisans, and creating a better atmosphere for them was so impactful to me. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to go whitewater rafting. Having that time to learn about the area, how it’s been impacted by mining and climate change recently, and meeting new people. Overall, I loved my trip to Ecuador through Manna - it definitely is the first of many! -- Claire, University of Findlay OSA participant

27/05/2025

Summer’s here—and so are our Session 1 interns! ☀️🌿
We’re thrilled to welcome this new crew to the Ecuadorian Amazon, where they’ll dive into hands-on work in health, education, and sustainability.

Stay tuned to see what they’ll learn, experience, and contribute as they live and learn alongside the Shandia community!

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¡Llegó el verano—y también nuestros pasantes de la Sesión 1! ☀️🌿
Estamos emocionados de dar la bienvenida a este nuevo grupo en la Amazonía ecuatoriana, donde se sumergirán en trabajos prácticos en salud, educación y sostenibilidad.

¡Sigan atentos para ver todo lo que aprenderán, experimentarán y aportarán mientras viven y colaboran con la comunidad de Shandia!

22/05/2025

Last week, Heidi (Pre-Clinical Intern) and Crystal (Program Director) joined a nutrition charla in Serena, a rural community near Shandia. 🏡

Alongside Dr. Diego Ramos, local health workers, and community members, they prepared a healthy meal and led an activity exploring the benefits of nutrients like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. 🥦✨

They also shared a short workshop using bilingual (Spanish + Kichwa) health posters designed and donated by our team to the local health center!

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La semana pasada, Heidi (pasantía pre-clínica) y Crystal (directora del programa) participaron en una charla de nutrición en Serena, una comunidad rural cerca de Shandia. 🏡

Junto al Dr. Diego Ramos, trabajadores comunitarios de salud y miembros de la comunidad, cocinaron una comida saludable y conversaron sobre los beneficios de nutrientes como antioxidantes, vitaminas y minerales. 🥦✨

También facilitaron un taller corto usando afiches de salud bilingües (español y kichwa) creados y donados por nuestro equipo al centro de salud local.

20/05/2025

Nothing beats a day visiting chakras in Shandia 🌿
These traditional agroforestry gardens are more than farms—they’re living classrooms. We learn about ancestral farming practices, taste fresh fruit right from the land, and connect with the people who care for it all.

From yuca and plantains to cacao and medicinal herbs, these visits remind us that sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s tradition.

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Nada como pasar el día visitando las chakras en Shandia! 🌿
Estos jardines agroforestales tradicionales son más que cultivos—son aulas vivas. Aprendemos sobre prácticas agrícolas ancestrales, probamos frutas recién cosechadas y conectamos con quienes cuidan esta tierra.

Desde la yuca y los plátanos hasta el cacao y las plantas medicinales, estas visitas nos recuerdan que la sostenibilidad no es una moda, es una tradición.

15/05/2025

From April 25 to 26, Shandia had a massive festival for their anniversary. Although the community has been around for 75 years, they have only been officially a community for 45. The weekend was filled with lots of community members, food, drinks and events -- starting at 4AM with a wayusa upina, a native indigenous tea drinking tradition. We were able to witness cultural dances, where two of our volunteers actually participated in, and the election of Miss Shandia. On the 26th, the school and Manna were able to walk the parade, which was an exciting experience to be a part of.

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El 25 y 26 de abril celebramos a lo grande el aniversario de Shandia! 🎉 Aunque la comunidad existe desde hace 75 años, ¡oficialmente lleva 45 como comunidad reconocida!

El fin de semana estuvo lleno de alegría, comida, bebidas, eventos… ¡y mucha cultura! 🌿 Comenzamos a las 4 a.m. con una wayusa upina, una tradición ancestral de tomar té. Disfrutamos bailes culturales (¡dos voluntarios nuestros participaron!) y la elección de Miss Shandia 👑.

El 26, la escuela y Manna participaron en el desfile — ¡una experiencia inolvidable! 💃🏽🕺🏽

13/05/2025

We’re excited to partner with on a new entrepreneurship workshop for women in Shandia!

So far, 19 women—ages 12 to 65—have come together to learn business basics, negotiation, branding, and how to launch their own ventures.

They’ve already started forming a cooperative, Shandia Lumu, to produce and sell rosquitas de yuca. This is just the beginning—and we’re excited to see where it leads.

08/05/2025

🎶 Big news! Our new music therapy program for teens in Shandia just got greenlit thanks to a grant from Northeastern University's !

Led by MPI volunteers Heidi Ho and Dahlia Broberg, this program brings songwriting, instrument lessons, and peer connection to local youth—offering creative ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and social pressure.

We can’t wait to get started! 💛

06/05/2025

Meet Mirka — our incredible new Site Manager in Shandia! 🌿

Originally from Quito, Mirka moved to the Amazon 8 years ago to study Ecosystem Engineering and has been working alongside local communities ever since. From community tourism to cultural exchange, she brings deep knowledge and heart to everything she does. We’re so excited to have her leading the way in sustainable development at our Ecuador site!

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¡Conoce a Mirka — nuestra increíble nueva Coordinadora de Sitio en Shandia! 🌿

Nacida en Quito, Mirka se mudó al Amazonas hace 8 años para estudiar Ingeniería en Ecosistemas y desde entonces ha trabajado de cerca con comunidades locales. Desde el turismo comunitario hasta el intercambio cultural, aporta conocimiento y corazón a todo lo que hace. ¡Estamos muy emocionados de tenerla liderando el camino hacia el desarrollo sostenible en nuestro sitio en Ecuador!

02/05/2025

Today is the last day of our Rooted in Manna campaign, and we are $1,000 away from reaching our goal. Will you give today to help us grow something lasting?

Last week, two of our amazing volunteers were invited to join in a traditional dance at Shandia’s community anniversary celebration — a wonderful reminder of what it means to be welcomed, connected, and part of something bigger.

Our volunteers are helping us put down roots in Shandia by supporting programs in health, education, and livelihoods — hand-in-hand with the community. Support our work at the link in bio!

30/04/2025

Meet Mary, Dahlia, and Heidi—three incredible volunteers who’ve become deeply rooted in the heart of Shandia. Each of them brings passion, perspective, and love to our work and community.

Mary: “Working with Manna has been an experience far more meaningful than I ever could have imagined…Every moment here has been uniquely special, teaching me not only about this incredible community but also more about myself and the true meaning of connection.”

Dahlia: “Working the RAIZ program, a sustainable program designed to better families’ financial stability and nutrition, has been incredibly rewarding. I have also greatly enjoyed working with the local school: teaching classes, painting a mural with the kids, and engaging in ongoing music projects. Thanks to the very welcoming community, homestay opportunities, and the wide array of ongoing Manna initiatives, Shandia very quickly felt like home”

Heidi: “The work that I do in public health is not always easy – there are lots of hurdles…but the community in Manna and Shandia is very strong. They give me the support I need to be successful, and I can’t wait for my last two months here.”

From teaching English classes to planting gardens to running nutrition workshops—our volunteers are the heart of Manna, nurturing connection, growth, and impact in the Amazon.

Support the heart of our work. Your donation helps empower volunteers and expand their impact in communities like Shandia. Follow the link in our bio to read more about Mary, Dahlia, and Heidi and to support their work!

29/04/2025

In 2025 alone, our incredible volunteers have contributed over 5,000 hours of service and launched 4 new community programs! Their passion is the engine behind our impact — and your support keeps that engine running. Donate today at the link in our bio to help us sustain and grow this amazing work!

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Opening Hours

Tuesday	14:00 - 19:00
Wednesday	14:00 - 19:00
Thursday	14:00 - 19:00
Friday	14:00 - 17:00
Saturday	09:00 - 13:00

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+16152905746

Website

http://www.mannaproject.org/

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