Media
Be sure to join our Facebook group "Global Water Brigades-National " to become part of our growing online network.
Watch our VIDEOS!
- NEW VIDEO! Global Water Brigades - A Student Led Movement
- Global Water Brigades - A Student Led Movement
- A Message from GWB founder Orion Haas
- A Message from GWB founder Orion Haas
- Take a tour of our accommodations at La Hacienda Rapaco
- Take a tour of our accommodations at La Hacienda Rapaco
- Take a tour of our accommodations at Nuevo Paraiso
- Take a tour of our accommodations at Nuevo Paraiso
Read our TESTIMONIALS!
- Jonathan 'Ife' Aderinto - UC San Diego
- Jonathan 'Ife' Adernito
UC San Diego Global Water Brigade - December 2008
Honduras!!! I loved the whole experience and I recommend that if you have any interest in humanitarian projects that you really look into participating in Global Water Brigades. To think that there are people in the world who lack the simplest yet most integral part of life, water, is astounding. While some may have had access to water, for the most part the water was impure and unhealthy to drink. Others lacked access to water altogether resulting in health problems for individuals in the community.
Going into the trip I didn’t really know what to expect, but once we landed in Honduras my whole state of mind shifted and my eyes were opened. I saw firsthand how people in poverty went about living their lives, all the while with a smile on their faces. It was a humbling experience to witness an entire community come together to work in conjunction with our group in beginning construction of their water project. From young to old, all members of the community helped us transport our PVC pipes up the mountain to where we were working. The passion and excitement of the community had an extreme impact on me as well as the rest of the group, as we worked endlessly to construct and complete our portion of the water project. We laid down over 400 meters of PVC piping in the area and every ounce of hard work that we put in was worth it. The best part of the trip was looking into the eyes of the children of the community, and as I would walk by them, without saying anything, just looking into their eyes and seeing how happy they were to have us around helping their community. The trip was a life experience that I will never forget. I did a lot of reflecting on the trip as well, at times just looking outside the bus and off into the mountains, thinking about how blessed we all truly are. I really feel although the trip was to assist a community which lacked essential resources, I found out a lot about myself as an individual during my time in Honduras. I feel that volunteering ones time to assist others in need is the greatest gift one can give another person. I am glad that being a part of Global Water Brigades gave me a chance to try to be the change that I want to see in the world.
- Tana Chongsuwat - Loyola University Chicago
- Tana Chongsuwat
President, Loyola University Chicago Global Water Brigade - January 2009
Before my first medical brigade even ended, I was already convinced that Water Brigades was an awesome idea that brought such a key idea: sustainability!! As a student pursuing the health care field, I knew nothing about water systems and was very nervous going into the trip. We didn't expect all the manual labor in the mountains but yet enjoyed every second of it! Although what was best about the trip was coming down from the mountain and being able to interact with such a welcoming community through various forms of class meetings to an intense match of ‘futbol’ to games, song and dance with the kids.
The brigade staff is what will keep me forever drawn to Honduras. On only my second brigade I already instantly have a sense of home sweet home with the country and people. The water brigade allowed us to bond with everybody involved; community helpers, staff at Flor Azul, Orion and other Brigade Coordinators, even the drivers. For future brigaders: I personally enjoyed a very small brigade of 12 people giving me a great chance to really interact with a community! Take advantage of that and speak all the Spanish you can! The water brigade really followed the motto: laugh hard, play hard, and work even harder!! El Agua es la Vida!
- Jeni Servoss - Loyola University Chicago
- Jeni Servoss
Loyola University Chicago Global Water Brigade - January 2009
My initial thoughts were: this was simply a project, an assignment if you will. Finish what is planned for our group this week. Complete the tasks, see the sights, and return to our lives. However, being surrounded by poverty, sickness and such a gross lack of resources forces you to take a second look. Upon arrival, the communities seemed unreal. They looked staged. The reality in the way other humans experience life. The way every tool, clothing article, pot, pan, and resource was utilized to its utter end still amazes me. They took nothing for granted. Consider the worries in your life; these people worry about where or how they will find water for their families during the dry months.
Throughout our project we struggled up the mountain and tested our bodies physically and our minds mentally, but we were never alone. Through every step up the mountainside, every bump in the road, every swing of the pick-axe and every shovel of the earth, the community members were right alongside us. This was their project, their future and they made us feel as though we could take part in that-in their tightly woven community. We bonded through the sweat, the work and the excitement of what this project could mean for our new friends. After a beautiful day spent carving out a lifeline for this community in the mountains, we piled into the back of the truck exhausted. We returned to Los Pajarillos where the energy of the kids waiting for us at the bottom of the hill was contagious and a spontaneous soccer game erupted. Some thirty locals came out to play on the dirt field; some with cleats, some with tennis shoes, and some barefoot all partook in this universal game. This is why we were here-these kids, these moments.
When we left, Gelman Corea, a leader in Los Pajarillos, thanked us and hugged us with tears in his eyes-told us to do well in school and that we would always be welcome. He thanked us which I felt was ironic because I do not think he knew how much of an impact he and his community had on us. The rushing water from the source, the hope hidden in the deep pools of the children’s eyes, and the tears in Gelman’s eyes...made me realize water is life. From the strength of the women who volunteered to teach their community health practices, to Gelman Corea and the other community leaders like Junior and Ingenio, to Sister Maria Rosa, I am amazed, empowered, and motivated.
- Helen Yu - UC Berkeley
- Helen Yu
President, UC Berkeley Global Water Brigade - January 2009
I know I do not speak for myself alone when I say that leading a Water Brigade allowed me to gain more confidence in my abilities as a driver towards social change. The work we accomplished as a Water Brigades club confirms that the influence of student-led organizations may be as far reaching as it is long lasting provided we bear foremost in our minds that our actions make a small but not insignificant dent in improving the lives of others. The most difficult step in our productivity was always the first initiating step, but once the firm decision to carry out our tasks were made, the results manifested themselves.
Starting in October 2008, I, along with a small group of dedicated individuals, decided to take on the establishment of a Global Water Brigades group at UC Berkeley. With airline seats already reserved for ten at an unbeatable price, the challenge was to implement an informational session for the campus and pool together at least ten students who would be not only willing to go to Honduras, but willing also to write over a check to me for their airline deposit—in two weeks. I gained from this hectic week a greater sense of the attention to detail that must be applied to each seemingly small feat which required booking a room, making applications, going over applications and contacting participants. The eighteen enthusiastic individuals who signed on as the first brigade from Berkeley completely dispelled any reservations I had about whether the trip would occur.
We are currently in the midst of planning another trip, armed with our incredible week in Honduras still fresh in our minds as an impetus. With more time to prepare, we were able to advertise another informational session much earlier in advance. The result was a packed room of students adamantly eager to contribute their efforts towards international development. At this moment, I continue to receive enthusiastic emails from students wanting to apply their learning beyond their textbooks, midterms and lecture halls. While I graduate in May, I remain inspired and humbled by the passion of my fellow peers, and I look forward to seeing them further experience GWB’s solidification as a great organization through which students channel their energy while learning the incredible subtleties in themselves and the world around them. While I hope to further cultivate my interests in international development, I know that Global Water Brigades at Berkeley will continue to grow rapidly and change in the best direction possible, along with the minds and hearts of the incredibly talented students that shall seek and find it.
- Nicholas Evans - Northwestern University
- Nicholas Evans
President, Northwestern University Global Water Brigade
Starting a Global Water Brigades (GWB) chapter at Northwestern University has been an incredible experience. The initial stages of thinking critically about how the organization fit on the campus and how the Global Water Brigades model would empower student in a totally new capacity were really invigorating. After talking to leaders of other campus groups and looking at groups that do development work, I truly believe that the strong partnerships GWB has formed in Honduras and the framework in which it operates make up the ideal model for empowering students to have hands-on experiences in international development work. They are redefining and amplifying the impact that students can make towards sustainable change.
Working with the administration to become a recognized student group hasn't been easy but it's been an exciting and informative process. After recruiting, building relationships, and creating a solid foundation the group really started to gain momentum on campus. Crafting the funding proposal and soliciting the administration for funding was a challenge but ended up being a very rewarding experiences when they agreed to help fund GWB. We've also been able to integrate a design class into the curriculum so students can assist the in-country staff and help research renewable energy and help design an affordable system for a new project. It's been really great to work with the in-country staff. If presented with the opportunity, don't miss out on the valuable learning experience of helping found a chapter of Global Water Brigades. You'll work with some of the most inspired, creative individuals on your campus towards a common goal as well as have a life-changing experience.
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