The Guatemala Global Brigades’ team has developed a thoughtful approach to ensure that every clinic reaches those who need attention the most and delivers longterm, meaningful impac
The journey begins with identifying communities that lack consistent access to basic needs. Research Days on Brigades serve as the foundation for our initial step, providing firsthand insight into community conditions and healthcare gaps. These visits allow our team to experience the community's reality alongside local partners and identify what types of support will make the greatest difference.
Community leaders and health centers are invaluable partners, pointing us toward communities that receive little assistance or have limited access to healthcare services. While rural communities are often our primary focus, we've learned that suburban areas also face significant needs. These locations frequently serve as central access points where multiple surrounding communities can access services.
Building Trust Through Community Leadership?
Community leaders are the cornerstone of every successful Brigade. We work with two key figures: Community Mayors (Alcaldes Comunitarios or Alcaldes Auxiliares) and COCODE Presidents, who represent community members and advocate for their needs in front of authorities. Both play critical roles in making Brigades possible.
Before we have a mobile clinic come to a community, we invest several months in relationship-building. Our team meets with leaders well in advance, maintains regular communication, and visits the community a couple of times before bringing in a Brigade.
Leaders commit to more than just granting permission. They help identify appropriate spaces for the mobile clinics, provide support on Brigade days, help ensure community members are aware that Brigades are coming, and offer ongoing collaboration throughout the planning and implementation process.
Getting the message out about upcoming Brigades requires cultural awareness. Each community has its own communication networks. Some use local radio stations, others rely on Facebook pages, and many utilize loudspeakers to broadcast announcements throughout the area.
Our team prioritizes the methods communities already use and trust. We also connect with leaders in neighboring communities to extend invitations and share information across various social media platforms. In addition, we partner with school principals and directors, who inform families about upcoming Brigades and available services. This approach ensures parents and caregivers know when, where, and how to access care for their children.
What makes our approach to collaboration effective isn't any single strategy; it's the combination of early engagement, genuine partnership with local leaders, culturally appropriate communication, and commitment to communities beyond a single visit.
When communities see the Global Brigades logo, they remember the care they received, the volunteers who served them, and the relationships that were built. That sustained presence and trust are among the most important elements of successful Medical Brigades in Guatemala
Want to Brigade in Guatemala? Learn how you can join a Medical Brigade and be part of this long-term, student-led work.