Global Brigades (GB) provides university students and professionals with an opportunity to participate on 7 day mission trips to Honduras and Panama. GB truly makes a difference in the lives of the people it serves. GB provides sustainable health and development solutions in developing countries, but one of the greatest impacts lies in the relationships we create with community members.
On my last trip to Panama, we spent an entire day sharing Panamanian and American culture in order to create trust and build relationships with the community we worked in. A few of the men in El Valle made cutarras, traditional Panamanian sandals, for many of the girls in our group. This was such a special and important time for us to have personal conversations and learn more about the people we were working with. It added a human element to what was before only business. The boys in our group helped the women of the community kill and cook the chickens. Once cooked, the girls helped pull the meat off the bone to prepare lunch. I once would have considered this activity disgusting, but it really allowed me to put myself in their shoes and appreciate those we were working with.
Global Brigades truly touches lives.
The program allows students and professionals to participate on one week trips to implement sustainable health and development solutions in Honduras and Panama. Through Medical and Dental Brigades, students, doctors, and health professionals administer primary care and education. Water and Public Health Brigades construct clean water infrastructure, stoves, concrete floors, and latrines. Business Brigades provides consulting and information to struggling micro-businesses, which is enforced by Law Brigades which helps with the legality of the businesses as well as indigenous land rights. Architecture Brigades provides ecological shelter and Environmental Brigades works on preservation efforts. This is a great program for people from all walks of life as a common bond is created through the work that we share.
