Manna Project International stemmed from a desire to increase awareness and aid of the street-kid crisis in many Central and South American countries. In March 2003, a group of Vanderbilt University students spent their spring break living and working with street kids in Lima, Peru. Deeply moved and motivated to do something about the tragic but common plight, a dialogue began stateside about a response to their experience.

Based on the success and impact made during the Peru trip, the Vanderbilt students embraced the idea of "communities serving communities" and sought to establish an organization committed to developing this concept. Since its establishment as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in January of 2004, MPI has continued to bring together groups of passionate young individuals to work alongside one another towards the common goal of holistic community development.

MPI at Vanderbilt (MPIV) was established in February 2004 to serve as a backbone for MPI's efforts both domestically and internationally. As a student-led organization, MPIV has become a major presence on Vanderbilt's campus, presenting students with various service opportunities locally and internationally. Vanderbilt also serves as a template and key resource for other MPI campus chapters around the country.

MPI's first international site in Managua, Nicaragua began operating in August of 2004. The first "Team Nica"hundreds of other young individuals to share in the international, "communities serving communities" experience through year-long, spring break, and summer volunteerships. In August 2005, the second group of International members moved to Nicaragua to continue the MPI programs in Cedro Galan, Chiquilistagua and La Chureca. During that school year, the college chapter presence grew from one to three national campuses. consisted of eleven recent college graduates who cultivated community relationships, implemented a variety of program initiatives, and developed local leadership. The original Manna eleven also led the way for