What's a Brigade?
A brigade is a 7-10 day trip to the developing world in which student volunteers seek to improve quality of life in under-resourced, rural communities. In addition to Business and Microfinance, Global Brigades offers Architecture, Dental, Engineering, Environmental, Human Rights, Medical, Public Health, and Water Brigades programs. These ten programs together facilitate a holistic approach to sustainable development in communities that are eager to work with students and whose needs can be successfully met with our help.
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN The Two Programs?
On a Business Brigade, students focus on small-business consulting/workshops and financial literacy education. Students encourage economic development in brigade communities by providing administrative assistance and the seed capital necessary for entrepreneurs to realize their business goals with the help of locally-based savings and loans cooperatives established and monitored by Global Brigades.
On a Microfinance Brigade, students address the dire need for access to financial services in rural communities. Students educate community members on the value of savings and shareholding in the community bank as well as work on an investment project for the community, which is funded through a $100 portion of each student's program contribution fee.
Recently, the two brigades have been formed into one "Business and Microfinance Brigade". The goals of the two separate brigades are now accomplished in one brigade.
On a Microfinance Brigade, students address the dire need for access to financial services in rural communities. Students educate community members on the value of savings and shareholding in the community bank as well as work on an investment project for the community, which is funded through a $100 portion of each student's program contribution fee.
Recently, the two brigades have been formed into one "Business and Microfinance Brigade". The goals of the two separate brigades are now accomplished in one brigade.
HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT CAN I REALLY MAKE IN JUST ONE WEEK?
While it's true that we don't see a marked change in a community's standard of living during the actual brigade, the work we do is nevertheless important as it lays the foundation for future growth. Advice and insights our students give to small business owners during the brigade are important elements in helping them achieve their future financial goals; investment capital and projects we propose are also utilized long after the brigade is over. All else aside, your presence and participation encourages community members to dream big and commit to their own success.
We achieve long-term success in our service communities with the help of students at other universities across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia who pick up where we leave off, bringing a fresh set of eyes to problems that our own students had been evaluating. It's individuals like you that contribute to Global Brigades' larger vision of improving quality and equality of life in the developing world.
We achieve long-term success in our service communities with the help of students at other universities across the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia who pick up where we leave off, bringing a fresh set of eyes to problems that our own students had been evaluating. It's individuals like you that contribute to Global Brigades' larger vision of improving quality and equality of life in the developing world.
HOW SAFE ARE BRIGADES?
Very safe. Our service countries are known regionally for their stable governments and welcoming attitude toward foreigners. We prepare our students before departure on general travel safety and make sure they are properly vaccinated as well. Each brigade is accompanied 24/7 by a trained medical technician and Global Brigades staff members (both natives and American expatriates) who are well-versed in responding to a variety of safety situations. Students are also covered by comprehensive travel insurance issued by both Global Brigades and The University of Texas at Austin.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO GO ON A BRIGADE?
In general, a brigade to Honduras or Panama runs from $1800 to $2000, while a brigade to Ghana can cost from $2800 to $3000. The total cost of a brigade is split between airfare and an $690 program contribution fee which covers everything from food and water to lodging and transportation while in the service country.
A brigade is significantly cheaper than a comparable trip to Central America or West Africa: Global Brigades takes advantage of discounted airfare and provides safe, economical alternatives for lodging and transportation. In addition, we provide fundraising resources to our brigaders during the semester leading up to the brigade to help alleviate the cost of the trip.
A brigade is significantly cheaper than a comparable trip to Central America or West Africa: Global Brigades takes advantage of discounted airfare and provides safe, economical alternatives for lodging and transportation. In addition, we provide fundraising resources to our brigaders during the semester leading up to the brigade to help alleviate the cost of the trip.
HOW MUCH ARE MEMBERSHIP DUES?
Students who are not attending a brigade but who would like to take advantage of Global Brigades membership benefits may pay a per-semester fee of $10.
WHAT BENEFITS DO MEMBERS HAVE?
Members of Texas GBB can take advantage of an ever-expanding number of benefits through Global Brigades, including priority consideration for internships, jobs, and fellowship opportunities with Global Brigades and other non-profits; 10% off all Kaplan test prep courses; and funding support for their own non-profit ideas.
CAN I GO ON A BRIGADE/BE A MEMBER IF I'M NOT A BUSINESS STUDENT?
Absolutely! We love including non-business majors, as they often bring a different perspective to our work. As a McCombs Affiliated Student Organization (MASO), we're required to maintain a minimum of 60% business students on our roster, so spots on the brigade for non-business majors do tend to be more competitive than those for business majors.
