Why You Should Join Global Brigades
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why You Should Join Global Brigades

Seriously, find your college's chapter right now (or support one)!

669
Why You Should Join Global Brigades
Joliette Mandel

Last fall, I made the decision to join Boston University’s chapter of Global Water Brigades and I can genuinely say it was one of the best decisions I made thus far in my life. Being a part of Global Brigades has opened my eyes to many problems throughout the world, as well as different perspectives. I have experienced this on community service trips in the past—but not in nearly the same way.

Global Brigades (GB) emphasizes its holistic model and sustainability. You see this on the website and wonder, “What does that really mean?” GB sends groups of volunteers (typically college students) to impoverished countries, including Honduras, Nicaragua, Ghana and Panama, to work with community members to create more sustainable, healthy and financially stable community systems. There are a few key things here:

Communities have to ASK Global Brigades for help. GB never sends volunteers where they aren’t wanted. GB has many different types of brigades (Water, Medical, Public Health, Environmental, Human Rights, Dental, Business and Microfinance) and they only send in brigades that are necessary for each community.

This picture was taken on the first day of our Water Brigade while we were shown the dirty, unreliable water resources that now exist in the community. This well was full of ocean water and surrounded by animal feces.

Community members work side by side with volunteers and they are fully invested in the projects themselves. GB will only begin a project after there has been a ton of planning (and they make sure all parts of the system will be culturally relevant and sustainable) and community members have taken leadership roles. For example, when I went on a Water Brigade in Honduras where we helped to create a water system that would provide fresh water to three communities, there was an entire Water Board of Leaders. This board was very organized, and each person had a specific role. Additionally, each home that wanted to have running water installed in their house needed to pay a little (just a little, to show they cared) and family members needed to help build the system. We were pick-axing and laying pipe right alongside the locals, and it was an amazing experience to be able to share cultures while doing the same work.

GB volunteers only come for a short while, but each project is possible because groups of Brigaders come very often. The Honduran community members that I met were the most welcoming, thankful people I have ever met in my life. They would not stop thanking us for donating our time and resources, to the point where I felt bad because I really was not doing that much—we were working on the project for less than a week! However, their appreciation is really for the project in the long run. They are grateful to all the volunteers that make their community development possible because without each person, it would be that much harder. For example: For every volunteer that goes on a Global Water Brigade, 4 people will gain fresh drinking water. How could you not want to be a part of that?

Watching water burst from the earth as it was drilled into for the first time. I have never seen someone's eyes so wide as the little girl next to me as she saw all of the running water.

At the same time, GB makes sure that no one has a “savior complex” because it is clear that we are not “saving” the community—they work way harder than we do. The goal is to eventually not have to send volunteers, and instead keep checking up on the community. Locals are trained so well in order to make this possible. Medical Brigades trains locals to be doctors; Water Brigades teaches locals how their system works and how to fix it if there were problems; Business and Microfinance Brigades teach locals how to run a community bank.

The work that Global Brigades does is truly incredible. Entire communities no longer have to walk miles to get water everyday, deal with nearly as much disease, and they can make a profit to put food on the table for their families. I am “Facebook friends” with the program director of Global Water Brigades in Honduras, and I have watched videos of people turning on their faucets on for the first time—face of pure joy.

I have to say, I’m so proud to be a part of Global Water Brigades, and I hope you would be, too.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

10 Best Quotes from "The Gospel According to Satan"

How humanity discovers new ways to commit the same old sins

135
10 Best Quotes from "The Gospel According to Satan"

The core tenet of spirituality is to understand our spirit rather than the desires of flesh. Easier said than done. What takes you away from spirituality is sin, which is the opposite of having the discipline of faith and the understanding of grace. To achieve discipline, the gospel is a massive source of strength and truth to many. Here are some best quotes from the book of how the gospel has been twisted over generations to confuse the message of God.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Did NYC's CUNY student give 'hate-filled' commencement speech against Jews?

Fatima Mohammed, a law student, is accused of demonizing Israel. Others say she used her right of free speech and college should a secular space to discuss these issues

2121
Did NYC's CUNY student give 'hate-filled' commencement speech against Jews?

City University of New York and its law school came under scrutiny for a commencement ceremony that featured a keynote speech seen as discriminatory against Jews. The school system, better known as CUNY, released a statement condemning the remarks as “hate speech” following a widespread outcry and calls for the college to speak out.

Keep Reading...Show less
To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before...

One of the things that I love most is space. I am a HUGE space nerd. Literally ask any of my friends. I was first introduced to space when my dad dragged me to see Star Trek. Since walking out of that movie theater in 6th grade, becoming an astronaut hasn't been just some wild dream that could come true.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

The Stories Behind Scars

Some tales of tribulation with permanent impressions.

2893
The Stories Behind Scars
fanpop

Everybody has scars. Usually these marks carry a negative connotation because they mark up skin that was once smooth.

Keep Reading...Show less
writing
Green Chameleon

Welcome to June on Odyssey! Our creators have a fresh batch of articles to inspire you as you take a break from campus life. Here are the top three response articles of last week:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments