On January 11th, five MPI volunteers boarded a plane to Quito, Ecuador, for eleven days. The goal? To start a new Manna site in Ecuador. This is what current Nicaragua PD Abbie Foust, had to say:

"I'd never been to South America before, and was taken aback at how beautiful it was to fly into Quito.  Long and narrow, Quito is sandwiched between the two cordilleros of the Andes Mountains. Approaching Quito, it's easy to start dreaming of hiking Cotopaxi and Pichincha (two huge, dormant volcanoes close to Quito), considering that from the center of the city all you have to do is look up to see their ominous, snow covered peaks. Women walk around in traditional Incan attire with babies strapped to their backs using colorful, hand-embroidered cloths. Northern Quito boasts modern buildings, clean streets and an impressive infrastructure that helps business flourish.  Southern Quito, on the other hand, is home to great poverty. The dichotomy is striking.  For MPI, it means access to resources and communities of real need all in the same geographical proximity.

The days were full and wonderfully exhausting, as we spent the week networking, locating a community where we could work and finding a partner organization. I personally found solace in the brief hot-water showers at Casa Victoria (a huge treat because we don't have hot water in Nicaragua at the Manna house) and the occasional cup of coffee from Café Oro, the best coffee I've ever tasted. 

For a detailed report of the trip, click here. Othwerise, the highlights:

1.    We found several potential sites. Our favorites are a quiet little village south of Quito called Santa Isabel, and San Roque, an urban site in the heart of Quito.

2.    The boys from the trip will eat anything, including hot chillies that will make you cry and guinea pig. Yes, guinea pig (they say it tastes like chicken).

3.    The organization that seems to fit best with our needs as a partner is a small community-based organization in Santa Isabel called UBECI.  UBECI is looking to expand the programs they already run - which is where we come in.

4.    We'll begin in early September, 2007 (woo hoo!).

So what are we up to now? After finalizing our Ecuador team in early April (it will be an amazing group of 10), we are busy solidifying partnerships in Ecuador. We're working on getting our visas, continuing to network with our contacts in Quito, researching Spanish schools, getting in shape to hike Cotopaxi and fundraising, fundraising, fundraising. And I'm counting down the days when I can get my hands on some more Café Oro coffee.  On behalf of the MPI Ecuador team, we're pumped, and we look forward to keeping you updated on our progress."

DONATE:  As in Nicaragua, success in Ecuador depends on the support of you, our Manna family.  To support Team Ecuador, click here.  

LEARN MORE:  Interested in witty, uplifting, challenging, monthly messages about Ecuador?  Email Mark and let him know.   

THE WISH LIST: Each month we've featured the "wish list" of one of the Nicaragua programs.  This month's includes English, math and women's exercise classes (click here).