There is a common saying in our locality that many people operate on “Ecuador Time,” largely due to the inconsistent bus schedule that most people depend on for their daily commute. Lateness is part of the expectation when a standardized mode of public transportation is widely implemented and relied upon. This also contributes to the “Ecuador time vortex” that the Manna Project International (MPI) often refers to. Our staff frequently exclaims how time moves incredibly fast in the rainforest. Days feel long but weeks fly by. I’m experiencing it myself, as my second week has gone by in the blink of an eye. This was our first week working individually to create our schedule and start creating contacts. I chose three projects to focus on for the time being and have been able to make progress in all of them. I am proud of this movement and so excited to see what I can accomplish in the three weeks I have left. All of these projects are operating on different timelines, but I know I can leave my mark.
The project I hope to finish is a mural in the middle of the campus. It will eventually be a mural of a world map. Not only do I hope to complete this mural, but I also hope to use this mural as a teaching tool to give lessons to the schoolchildren that we work with. I want to get them involved with the painting and process as well as part of the weekly art lesson we participate in. My co-interns and I have been working hard on getting the grid done so we can start drawing and painting in the coming weeks.
The second project involves assisting a resident named Javier with his Sendero. Javier's aim is to complete this project before the birth of his child, making it a part of his family's legacy. Due to a rainy week, we could only visit once, but during that time, we carried wood and helped plant cocoa trees. Cocoa is a significant crop in this region, and on sunny days, you can see people drying cocoa outside. Many locals sell their beans to chocolate companies or produce chocolate themselves.
In the upcoming weeks, we will continue working on the Sendero and assist Javier in creating content for Instagram, Facebook, and a new website. This effort is intended to increase the visibility of Javier's project and enable more people to engage with the cultural experiences he offers. Ecotourism is a huge economic focus in many parts of Ecuador, and putting Javier on the map helps him to establish a place in the niche. 
The final project is the Bee project! We had a meeting with a local organization to talk about implementing a Bee Project in Shandia. It combines environmental efforts and women’s group goals as we would be supporting stingless bee populations while also giving women a new source of income. It was such a cool experience to be able to take part in this meeting. I felt that it gave me a better insight into what professional interactions may look like and how projects are implemented. I have had a lot of experiences like this while with MPI. There have been so many opportunities for personal freedom and career exploration. In our free time, we plan programs like summer and art camps. We run reading hours and computer labs. We talk with community members and search for grants to help financially support projects that the community wants to see or would benefit from. By prioritizing the needs and aspirations of the local population, we ensure that our work is both meaningful and impactful. As I look forward to the remaining three weeks, I am enthusiastic about the potential achievements and the lasting mark we can leave on this vibrant community.