Molly describes her incredible experience on a Business Brigade in Panama. Read her inspiring story to see the emotional impact and connection a Brigade experience can leave you with:
It has been two days since returning from my very first brigade. Every time someone asks me how it went, I struggle to find words that can truly sum it up. I officially have tried every way of answering- from very vauge, to trying to give each and every detail. Nothing can fully express my emotions. I have spent hours on my computer clicking through the same pictures over and over- with some hope of recapturing even a second of the bliss I felt last week. The Kuna culture was truly one of a kind. We were fortunate enough to spend our week on Carti Mulatupu, assisting in finding ways to bring more tourists to their island, Isla Blanca.
Not knowing even a lick of the language, I was challenged to find other ways of communicating with the community. As I flip through pictures, and share stories with friends- I find myself saying things like “I really connected with this kid” or “this man was so genuine and inspiring”. Yet when I sit back and truly think about it- I could probably count on my hand the number of words that were actually understood back and forth. It really makes you question and acknowledge the power of non-verbal communication and the bonds that people can create. In just 6 days I went from feeling like a foreigner to feeling like a family member.
I not only get joy from knowing we made an impact on the community, but also the impact that was made to each one of the Miami students who participated. Wether it is something that they directly pass along now, or something that impacts a decision in the future, I truly believe these kinds of experiences create a ripple of “good”-something that can be nothing but positive in this fast-pace world.
I could speak of this hours, but will close by sharing a new thought. I have had many recent discussions with peers and professors about how life is such a “lottery”. Whether you are born into wealth or poverty or something in between is solely by chance. I have spent the last 20 years learning and developing a sense of fortune and gratitude for being given the comfortable life I have, essentially for “winning that lottery”.
Now don’t get me wrong, I still feel extremely thankful. However, the wonderfully rich culture, loving lifestyle, and inspiring Kuna’s of Carti Mulatupu, made me re-analyze that thought. Who’s to say that I won? Perhaps it is not money or comfort, but culture, love and appreciation of ones unique life that create a winner.
