Major: Crime, Law, and Justice
Minors: French and Wildlife and Fisheries Science
How did you learn about this opportunity?
I went on a previous brigade to Honduras Spring Break 2012 and wanted to participate again this year with a new experience.
Tell us a little bit about your experience.
Global Water Brigades is a student led sustainable development organization that focuses on establishing access to clean water in developing countries. We worked to improve water quality, and as brigaders cooperate with local community members on different water projects. Our mission was to build household rainwater harvesting systems. The system size is determined by the size of the family, the size of their roof, as well as their individually expressed water needs. This winter I helped construct a cement tank in Srafa Aboana. I helped tie steel mesh together, plaster the inside and outside of the tank, and contributed in various other ways to the project. While in Ghana I also got to experience the culture of the country and way of life for the locals. There is a significant friendliness throughout the country.
“As a brigader, I learned more about myself than I ever could have imagined when I first signed up for this service trip.”
What are your career goals and plans? How did this experience impact them?
After learning so much about a foreign culture I not only realized my interest in experiencing others but also gained a greater appreciation for my own. I hope that whatever career path I follow after graduating will allow me to either travel globally in order to gain more world culture knowledge or at least allow me to interact with citizens of other countries.
Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?
This alternative spring break experience is unlike any other and I highly recommend it to other Liberal Arts students. It is a trip that you will never forget. The Global Brigade slogan accurately describes the strength of their program. The words “Students Empowering Communities” encircle a globe in such a way that it is also meant to be read in reverse.