Global Brigades Supplemental Programming – Small Contributions; HUGE Impact!
-
The “supplementary programs” strengthen sustainability and deepen community impact
between brigades. Each Program Lead is responsible for working with community members, local technicians, and committees of campus chair people (student leaders) to develop these programs. At the end of the year, Global Brigades distributes any remaining funds to implement them. As a social enterprise, remaining funds are directly tied to number of volunteers, but this year we are offering donors the opportunity to contribute directly into these programs to ensure that they continue regardless of volunteer volume.
100% of your donation will go directly to implement these programs without a single dollar spent on administrative costs, which are already covered through brigade operations. This is an opportunity to provide direct contributions into the community we serve, creating huge impact for families that live on just a few dollars a day.
Below is a description of the supplementary program for Architecture Brigades. To see the other programs, click on the program name here: Business, Dental, Environment, Law, Medical, Microfinance, Public Health, Water.
Architecture Supplemental Funding Proposal
In 2012, we at Architecture Brigades would like to enhance the program with supplemental funding in order to deliver the most impact to the community and the best experience for the volunteers.
Option 1: Personnel & Materials Upgrade
In order to complete projects in a timely manner and utilize the community resources, we must continue construction in the off seasons when brigades are not present. This requires funding for more personnel and materials.
Low: Architecture Technician: The role of the technician is to supervise construction on a daily basis to ensure quality work and a timely completion date.
Medium: Volunteer Lunch Program and Masons: It is very draining for the community members to take time away from their work and their families to help with construction. Lunches made by local households motivate the community to contribute, even several months into the project. Paid masons ensure consistent and skilled work on a daily basis, as well as support for students during brigades.
High: Material Procurement: With a steady flow of materials, construction can continue throughout the year to supplement the bursts of high productivity rates during brigade seasons.
Benefits: School is built 2x faster. Architecture Brigades hosts two design competitions per year (spring and fall), and reaches twice as many beneficiaries (1500 people rather than 750)
Option 2: Greenovations
As part of our mission for sustainable solutions, environmental-friendly enhancements to our structures are a necessity. With proper maintenance, these proposals will provide free electricity and clean water indefinitely. Volunteers and the community increase hands-on participation in actual material production, and learn how to effectively use and produce eco-friendly materials.
Low: ($7,000) Solar Panels & Water Catchment Systems: The main resources we can harvest in Honduras are the sun and rain. Two things our current projects do not have: electricity and sufficient clean water. Photovoltaic panels and water catchment systems are the proposed solutions to these issues.
Medium: ($15,000) Alternative Technologies: Cement production has high carbon emissions, so it is our goal to find an alternative to using concrete blocks. The first step is extensive research and development to find the best possible solutions for lowering our environmental impact. The second step is the production and implementation of that technology.
High: ($25,000) Advanced Eco-friendly Material Production: For the next step in leading environmentally sustainable development work, Architecture Brigades would like to start making and possibly selling construction materials that are better than adobe and even concrete blocks. This would involve purchasing brick forming machines and firing kilns and paying workers to run the operation.
Benefits: Initial investment in certain tools and technology will decrease material costs for future projects, allowing higher quantity and more complex projects. The program becomes more environmentally sustainable, and demonstrates innovation in progressive design and development.
