In the News

A simple toothbrush convinced a Mabou Harbour woman to join her sister on a medical mission to Central America this spring.

Jessie Helen MacNeil, 21, and Nora MacNeil, 20, will travel to Honduras in May as part of Global Brigades, an international non-profit organization that helps communities improve their health care, economic development, and water and sanitation.

Nora, a third-year medical science student at Dalhousie University who plans to become a doctor, went on a mission to Guatemala last year. While sharing stories about the experience with Jessie Helen, she mentioned many people there had never seen a toothbrush until the volunteers gave them simple dental hygiene packs.

A pair of sisters are taking to the stage later this month to help fundraise for a humanitarian trip next year to spend a week to 10 days as part of a Global Medical Brigades mission. Global Brigades is an international organization helping communities find sustainable solutions to improve health, water, sanitation, and economic infrastructures in depleted communities all over the world.

A Krispy Kreme Fundraiser will be hosted by Global Brigades from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 15 in the Central Plaza at Food Tabling 1.

While Williams does her service in the Milwaukee community, some, like Jordan De La Hunt, a junior in the College of Health Sciences, wants to see where in the world their service can take them.

De La Hunt is a co-leader of Global Brigades, a service organization providing medical aid and resources locally and internationally.

The group tries to work on a semester-to-semester basis. In the first semester, students start planning for international aid trips. The students are accompanied by licensed medical professionals, ensuring ethical and professional care for patients. In the second semester, students start planning service work for the Milwaukee community.

UNH Global Medical Brigades will be hosting a fundraiser at the Community Oven in Hampton 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 14 to raise money for an upcoming medical mission trip to Panama from Jan. 7 to 15.

Twenty percent of proceeds from all dine-in and takeout orders from the 845 Lafayette Rd. pizza restaurant will be donated to the cause.

The money raised will help 21 University of New Hampshire students pay for flights, lodging, in-country transportation, paying support staff, security, and medical supplies.

The UCCS Global Medical Brigades is shifting into gear this year with upcoming fundraising events for students interested in the program, with their sights set on a medical brigade to Guatemala in 2023.

The Global Medical Brigades is a student-run organization that provides assistance and resources to communities in countries lacking proper medical care. The work they have accomplished has benefited a handful of communities, changing thousands of lives.

The club’s co-president, Juan Maldonado, said, “Global Brigades works to bring basic triage and health education to under-served communities in countries abroad.” According to Maldonado, their goals can vary from things like building latrines or small water reservoirs to providing medical education.

In January, 21 University of New Hampshire health studies and pre-med students will travel to Panama to work with healthcare professionals, learn, assist, and care for patients at a local clinic for 5 days

“Thirty-two PURPLEfect people, representing grades 8-12, will volunteer in refugee shelters in Athens. In addition, Purple Lightning will visit a few Greek islands and experience a range of cultural activities.

STEMCivics students travel as volunteers for Squads Abroad, a worldwide effort that connects students to improving communities while enjoying a culturally-enriched journey.