Sustainable Impact
We have a unique model for tracking the impact made through its Holistic Model. Impact gathering is measured at a community level, each step of the way, as well as before and after the Holistic Model is implemented.
Community Identification
Programs are done “with,” not “for” community members. Community buy-in and leadership is crucial to the sustainability and success of our programs. Communities typically approach us through word-of-mouth or we may also approach new community partners based on proximity to current partners.
Needs Assessment
When a new potential community partner is identified, we send a local staff member to complete a rapid needs assessment. This assessment determines whether the communities’ needs align with Global Brigades’ programs and whether we could coordinate Brigades (international volunteers) in the community based on key factors, such as safety and location.
Baseline Community Data
Before Global Brigades implements the holistic model in a community, we first complete a baseline survey. This survey is facilitated by a trained local staff member and is completed with all available households within the community. This data provides us with a baseline of community information in regards to healthcare, economics and sanitation.
Holistic Model
We first enter a community with Medical Brigades. Since we provide our programs to communities based on the availability of volunteers to assist in funding & implementation, communities are added to a waitlist to receive the other programs. Once resources are available, the microfinance, engineering, water, public health and business programs are then implemented. Once all of these programs have been implemented and the community has reached specific goals under the areas of healthcare, economic development and water, sanitation & hygiene, a community can be inaugurated as an “Empowered Community.”
End Line Community Date & Follow Up
In order to assess how the Holistic Model has impacted community partners, we complete endline surveys at the completion of the holistic model. We also periodically check-in with key community committees, such as the community bank leaders, basic sanitation committee and community health workers to ensure programs are functioning effectively. Each few years, we conduct a new endline survey in holistic communities to guarantee that our model is creating lasting improvement in healthcare, economic development, sanitation and hygiene.
Our M&E Team
The Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) team works at a local and international level, collaborating between countries, to collect and manage data, and report on our impact. The M&E team uses various methods to collect data that informs programming decisions and community selection. Consistently monitoring and evaluating our programs and receiving feedback from stakeholders helps guide the organization in working towards completing our mission in an effective way.
Research Opportunities
Interested in collaborating in GB’s research, monitoring, and evaluation efforts? Learn more and submit a proposal by downloading the Global Brigades Research Guide.
Research plays an important role in evaluating our Holistic Model. Having volunteers partner with our local M&E teams to execute research projects can have a multitude of benefits. In addition to the learning opportunities that come with a brigade, volunteer researchers also gain investigative and analytical skills. Their findings in turn can inform programming decisions and give new insights into the development of GB’s partner communities.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Global Brigades’ capacity to safely support the implementation of research projects is currently very limited. If you are interested, please contact us to determine whether a research project is feasible at the moment, and if not, we will provide guidance on a possible future date for collaboration.
Findings from Research Partnerships
Dhruvi Amin, University of Houston, Fall 2021
A study focused on the Guatemalan Healthcare System and the main factors that contribute to the communities’ vulnerability to certain types of diseases and infections. Additionally, the study suggests some initiatives to improve the overall health of the Guatemalan population with the cooperation of NGOs such as Global Brigades.
Learn MoreRachel Fisher, Jongwon Lee, Mauricio Carvallo, Stephen Foster, University of Oklahoma, 2021
This research uses the Theory of Planned Behavior to investigate the psychological attributes influencing
cervical cancer screening intention and behaviors of rural Honduran women that attended Global Brigades mobile medical clinics.
*This manuscript was submitted for publication to the Undergraduate Research Journal of Psychology at UCLA.”
Learn MoreEmma Lee, Pennsylvania State University, 2020
This study looked at three case studies to evaluate and analyze how microfinance can empower women in both an economic and social context. Key conclusions and successful factors identified in these studies are applied to the Global Business Brigades microfinance model to recommend how GB can continue to strengthen its expanding microfinance operations in other communities in Panama.
Learn MoreMadelyn Sangster, Central Michigan University, 2020
This investigation utilized clinical data from GB Medical Brigades in six communities in Honduras from 2017-2019 to examine the impact of water and sanitation projects on clinic diagnoses and disease incidence. Geographical location of the communities (coastal vs. inland) was also considered in the analysis.
Learn MoreLucia Rodriguez Garcia, University of Edinburgh, 2020
This investigation compares drinking water coverage data at the national level in Honduras with the data collected by Global Brigades at the community of Coyol de Linaca, Choluteca, aiming to establish whether national data is representative of rural communities.
Learn MoreOlivia Randall-Kosich, University of Central Florida, 2019
An investigation into interested and perception of reusable menstrual pads for women and girls in rural Central American communities. A pilot study was completed in El Zuruzlar, Honduras, where follow-up surveys indicated the potential feasibility of establishing a larger scale program.
Learn MoreLaura Brennan, Santa Clara University, 2018
A study to systematically review the research on intestinal parasitic infection interventions to explore the potential to reduce infections for low income school children in rural Nicaragua, which are a leading cause of health disparity in communities reached by Global Brigades.
Learn MoreNicole J. Rock, Arizona State University, 2018
This study aims to identify and understand the elements contributing to the environmental health issues of Cerro Bonito, Honduras. Utilizing the concept of social value and local capacity building, and applying it to environmental health proposes an alternative way of approaching technology design and implementation in rural communities.
Learn MoreDr. Victoria Carlson-Oehlers, Dr. Patrick J. Jung & Dr. Bernard A. Cohen, Milwaukee School of Engineering, 2017
A study of the idea that collaborating with non-governmental organization, universities can provide opportunities for students to apply their technical and medical educations to a variety of humanitarian challenges.
Learn MoreAashika Nagarajan, Brandeis University, 2017
An investigation of the potential of mobile health, in particular its potential to be integrated into Global Brigades programming, to address healthcare challenges and needs in rural Honduran communities. *Published in Brandeis University Library Archives (Thesis)
Learn MoreDr. Joel Garcia, Universidad Autónoma de Honduras, 2017
A report detailing the fieldwork carried out by students at the UNAH School of Microbiology, with Global Brigades logistical support. In their work, the university students created parasitological profiles of the child population in La Campos community, a population affected by the scarce health education and sanitary infrastructure.
Learn MoreNahrain Putris & Morgan Farrah, Oakland University, 2017
A comparative study of healthcare as a human right, and the quality of care as perceived by patients in a community clinic in the USA and a Global Brigades clinic in a partner community in rural Nicaragua.
Learn MoreSusan Frost, University of Wales, 2014
A study delving into the question of whether providing group microloans to under-resourced women in rural Honduras can impact their likelihood for success or poverty alleviation. Additionally, the study looks at what factors into a woman’s ability to receive or pay back these loans, and if the loans are being used to create micro enterprises.
Learn MoreEmma Crichton & Nikhil Kalothia, University of Miami & New York Medical College, 2014