Q&A with Manna Project International about working at an NGO in Latin America
Manna Project International (MPI) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization where young professionals can apply their passions, experience, and education through service to communities in need. With the vision of communities serving communities, MPI’s model is a collaborative community-based approach to development. At our sites in Ecuador, groups of year-long (Program Directors) and short-term (Summer Interns) volunteers live and work together implementing a range of education, health and livelihood community development programs.
During your time with Manna Project International you will experience life and work alongside other young leaders and community members. At our site in Ecuador, you will direct a variety of impactful programs designed to meet the specific needs and opportunities of the community. These include long-standing and established programs. You will also have the flexibility to create new programs where the community’s vision intersect with your own education, passions and interests.
This unique model creates the most impactful experience for you and the communities you’ll be serving, and is designed to fulfill our mission: To foster communities of talented young leaders to become the next generation of social change agents by engaging in collaborative, on-the-ground service with international communities in need.
Program Directors run the day-to-day operations of MPI’s community programs on the grounds in Ecuador. Program Directors live and work together with a team of 6-12 other individuals. Program Directors contribute to the organization’s program design, implementation of new projects, monitoring and evaluation, short-term volunteer oversight, recruitment, financial oversight, grant writing, fundraising, social media, public relations, and donor relations. Program Directors become part of the communities they serve and make new connections while building upon established relationships and partnerships. Program Directors report to the Assistant Director or Country Director.
Our Summer Interns support the programmatic efforts of our Program Directors (PDs), who run the day-to-day operations of MPI’s community programs on the ground in Ecuador. These teams are comprised of young professionals and recent college graduates who work alongside local leaders to address each community’s specific needs. Program Directors and Summer Interns utilize their education, passions, and interests to develop and sustain existing programs and to establish new projects. As a Summer Intern, you will receive experience in international development, program design, implementation of new projects, grant writing, nonprofit administration, fundraising, social media, public relations, and donor relations.