"On Going Home"

I just returned from a short visit to Nicaragua.  Despite a long four months away, I still felt like I was going home.  Not even the horse and buggy clopping next to us on the busy highway struck me as odd.  This land is no longer foreign.  Nicaragua and MPI have become part of me, and through the love the children showed me, the way the people hoped I was staying for good this time, and the continuous arrivals and departures of volunteers, this visit reignited my passion.

I brainstormed with new MPI volunteers on how to bring change, and I remembered the first group of us doing the same.  There is now a third group, soon a fourth, building on original ideas and creating new ones.  And forever affected, we will change the world.  My greatest lesson through MPI is that no matter how inexperienced, we are capable of doing far more than expected. 

This trip was not long enough, and now all of my trips will be short-term.  Manna Project has given me the opportunity to realize my love of serving the people of Nicaragua, the people who I can guarantee will always make me feel like I am coming home each time I return.  

Angela Profeta, MPI Founding Member

Angela begins her Masters of Public Health at Columbia University this fall.

Address Change - MPI's new address is P.O. Box 121052, Nashville TN 37212.  Thanks for updating.

MannaMail - Thoughts, stories, or photos to share with the growing MPI? Send to taylorbruce@mannaproject.org. We'd love to hear and see your experiences.

The Land Project - Looking to do more than donate?  MPI Nicaragua offers more. Visit the webpage below for our idea. A full proposal awaits to tell you the whole story about MPI, Chiquilistagua, and the future. The Land Project will be a great movement! 

Visit www.mannaproject.org/community_center/ or email wade@mannaproject.org for specific interest. 

Sponsor a Child - MPI's child sponsorship program provides nutritional food and necessary healthcare for the most malnourished children in Managua. Among other ailments, lead poisoning, respiratory problems, and skin diseases plague the kids. In Cedro Galan, where MPI teaches pre-school and English classes, many sponsors help fund a child's educational costs. Already, MPI partners with 33 donors like you in the U.S. To get to know Nicaragua through one child, see www.mannaproject.org/sponsor/.

August: New year-long members begin programs in Nicaragua!!

August 19: Vandy MPI "Move Crew" helps carry boxes, TV's, and furniture for freshman moving into their new dorms. Great way MPI serves the campus community. Keep it up.

August 21, 2006: Southern Cal undergraduate Fall begins.

August 23, 2006: Vanderbilt and UNCW undergraduate Fall begins.