Global Medical Brigades at Indiana University

Global Brigades (GB) is the world’s largest student-led international development organization. As a secular, California-based 501c3 nonprofit organization, we empower university students and young professionals nation-wide to provide communities in developing countries with sustainable solutions that improve quality of life while respecting local culture and improving the environment. At Indiana University, we plan to build a foundation of volunteers and leaders, each motivated to make a profound impact on our world. Global Medical Brigades is an international network of university clubs and volunteer organizations that travel to developing countries to perform health care in communities without access to medicine otherwise. Global Medical Brigades also works alongside Global Water Brigades, Public Health Brigades, Business Brigades, Microfinance Brigades, Environmental Brigades, and Arts Brigades to help ensure the communities we serve are provided with the services they need to further ensure their health treatment and long term sustainability. Our current emphasis is in the countries of Nicaragua and Panama. In its first year of existence in 2009-2010 Global Brigades at IU took 93 students and 7 professionals to Honduras and Panama to work on public health, medical, business, and clean water projects. Along with brigades from different parts of the country, they were able to accomplish the following: provided 16,771 patients with medical care, improved living conditions of 104 people using public health projects, provided 125 homes with access to clean water, opened 28 new savings accounts, established 32 potential borrowers, provided sustainable business structures for 50 members, provided legal stability for 50 members, and consulted 200 members on improving the efficiency and profitability of their business. These efforts have been strengthened every year since and will continue to grow in the future. Global Brigades is leading the way in sustainability in international development. With its unique holistic structure, through the many disciplined brigades, Global Brigades is able to offer lasting, sustainable solutions to communities in a way no other organization can. Be a part of the largest international student-led movement and make YOUR impact on the developing world.