MPI Campus Chapter Update (Part 1) - March 2008

Recently, we asked all of the campus chapter presidents to update us on their chapters' recent activities. Because there is so much exciting stuff to report, we had split the update into two parts. In this edition of Manna Mail you can read about what's happening at UNCW, Louisiana Tech, and the newly forming chapters at Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill.

 

Watch for the next edition, which will include updates on Vanderbilt, Iowa, Worcester State, UT, and Baylor.

   

 

UNC-Wilmington:
  

"There is a lot going on with Manna Project at UNCW this semester.  We have a full group of 12 people signed up to go to Nicaragua for Spring Break.  The trip is being led by Alyse Hunsucker and Nathan Hingtgen.  The team has decided to focus on bringing stuff to Nicaragua rather than money for a project.  This idea has inspired a shoe drive in and around the city of Wilmington called "Go Home Barefoot" which is being held in the two weeks prior to the trip.  Area public schools have set up drop boxes in each classroom and we are buying pizzas for the classes that have the most shoes.  We are also holding an event on campus with two drop points where people can leave shoes.  We are expecting hundreds of pairs of shoes to be donated for the people of Nicaragua. The team also plans to donate yoga mats, clothing, children's books, and feminine products for the clinic.  The donation of a pitching machine is also in the works for the community center.'

 

"Braddigan is coming to UNCW!  On April 4th Brad, Tiago, and Reinaldo will be hitting the dub city for a show at Kenan Auditorium on the UNCW campus.  Our intent is to bring the plight of La Chureca to the hearts and minds of the Wilmington community while giving Braddigan a chance to spread their music and love.  It is going to be an awesome night.  With all this great stuff going on it is going to be a big ending to the 07-08 school year for MPI-W."

 

        -Josh Eddings

 

 

 

Louisiana Tech:

"Our chapter has still been tutoring in Farmerville every Monday. We also put together a Christmas party for the children and their families, which turned out great! We had food, games and candy for everyone and we even had Santa Claus (from Costa Rica) join us for the evening. We are also helping the students with their participation in culture day at their school. They will be singing a song in English and Spanish for the entire school. There is an upcoming field trip that we may get to take the students on. It is called Space Days where they will be traveling to a science museum to learn and do experiments. Things are going great here in Ruston and in Farmerville. We are not going on a Spring Break trip because there was not enough interest. Hopefully next year we can advertise better and get a group together."

        -Lindsay Stone

 

 

Duke and UNC:

"Excitement for Manna International continues to grow at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.  As the inaugural spring break trip to Ecuador approaches, the ten students attending have worked hard to prepare presentations on health to deliver at the Apoyo Escolar.  The students have raised about $1500 through a letter writing campaign to friends and family in late December to spend on the trip.'

"In terms of setting up chapters, the two schools have gone in different directions.  The UNC-Chapel Hill chapter has decided to partner up with Nourish International, one of the most prominent organizations on campus, and has decided to focus on research for their future spring break trips so that they can exchange information with Nourish.  Several group interviews have been set up for this year's trip to Ecuador for social capital assessment of the local communities. The leaders of the Manna chapter at UNC are in constant dialogue with the directors of Nourish International trying to figure out their future relationship.  The students at Duke University, on the other hand, are aiming to start an independent chapter.  These students are still going through the Duke Student Union to set up the chapter, but the plans are to set up the chapter this semester and have it fully operating by the beginning of next fall.  Both schools are making tremendous progress and this year's trip to Ecuador looks like it will be a great success."

        -Tim Thomson

VOLUNTEER -  Applications are being accepted for Summer Volunteer and yearlong Program Director spots. Help us spread the word by telling anyone who might be interested.

DONATE - Go here to make a contribution online or by mail. Your support goes a long way!

BLOGGING -  Read Ecuador's March update and Nicaragua's Child Sponsorship blog.

THIS WEEK -   MPI-Vanderbilt sends Spring Break groups to Nicaragua, Ecuador, Peru, and Costa Rica. UNCW sends a group with over 700 pairs of shoes to Nicaragua.

 

NEXT WEEK -  UT sends Spring Break groups to Nicaragua. Duke and UNC send a group to Ecuador.

 

MARCH 20th - Summer Volunteer applications due. Go here for application details.

 

APRIL 1st - 2008-2009 Program Director applications due. Go here for application details.