Global Public Health Brigades (UW Madison Chapter) Jan 2016 Brigade

Start Date: Jan 5, 2014 11:00 PM
End Date: Jan 12, 2014 11:00 PM

Brigade volunteers will spend about a week in a developing country improving basic home infrastructure and providing health and sanitation education to help reduce the incidences of life-threatening, but preventable, diseases in a rural community. Brigaders will participate in a public health or water brigade, both of which include construction of sustainable infrastructure to improve public health. With an understanding of the holistic model that focuses on education, community health sustainability and infrastructural development, volunteers first receive a comprehensive introduction to the country's public health challenges and the Global Brigades solutions. They will introduce themselves to the beneficiary families, and participate in cultural days to truly get to know the individuals that they are impacting. Then, working side-by-side with community members and local masons, volunteers construct infrastructure projects meant to improve the health and sanitation of the home and surrounding environment. Additionally, as a key component of the program, brigade volunteers collaborate with the local committees and local teachers to help provide community-wide education workshops and training, proliferating sanitation and hygiene practices and empowering families with both the knowledge and tools to live healthier lives.