GLOBAL BRIGADES USA

Engineering Brigades at UC San Diego

• About
  Global Brigades offers 7-10 day Engineering Brigades throughout the year in Honduras and Ghana. Engineering Brigades volunteers work with local engineers, technicians and community members to assess water problems and select feasible solutions. During the brigade, volunteers have the opportunity to assess potential water sources, map and survey community land, plan and design water projects, and provide technical follow-up on completed systems. Evenings consist of on-brigade education, where brigaders learn about community and project development, water sources, water system design and materials, data analysis, and project proposals. Volunteers will directly apply these engineering concepts during the brigade and have the opportunity to present summaries of their findings to the community. Construction of the water projects is a result of the collaboration between the Engineering and Water Brigades teams, Water Brigades volunteers, and community members. Together, Engineering and Water Brigades establish sustainable water systems, provide community education on water-related health issues, and empower community leaders to maintain the system. Between brigades, Global Brigades in-country staff maintains relationships with community leadership committees and provides follow-up with water systems.