International Water Systems Engineering
Gain real-world experience conducting field assessments, hydraulic analysis, system design, and community presentations alongside Global Brigades engineers.
Why Global Brigades
"Our mission is to inspire, mobilize, and collaborate with communities to achieve their own health and economic goals."
Economic development experience
Universities engaged
Of partner communities
Candid 501c3 non-profit
Year-round local staff
Empowered Engineering Consulting is a student-led division of Global Brigades, a renowned 501c3 non-profit bringing two decades of international development experience and a network of hundreds of partner communities to your home or class.
Welcome to Empowered Engineering Consulting
Join an International Network
Global Brigades has worked with more than 100 universities over the past 20+ years, and partners with the UNDP, Kiva, the World Bank and some of the world's biggest development agencies.
Recognized by and partnered with:
Meet a Community
Every project begins with understanding the unique engineering challenge facing one of our partner communities. Real engineering empowerment means designing water systems around the specific, tangible needs identified by the communities themselves.
Community Profile: El Cedro
Guatemala
Population 0
BACKGROUND
Rural community of 85 families without piped water
WATER CHALLENGE
Families walk hours daily to collect water from unprotected sources.
BARRIERS
No engineering assessment, no system design, limited funding.
HOW WE HELP
Student teams conducted a complete water assessment and system design with GB engineers.
- Community approved the design; construction phase fundraising underway.
Community Profile: Piriatí
Panama
Population 0
BACKGROUND
Community of 60 households with an aging gravity-fed system
WATER CHALLENGE
Existing water system loses pressure and fails during dry season.
BARRIERS
No as-built documentation; flow rates never measured.
HOW WE HELP
Students tested flow rates, mapped piping routes, and proposed system improvements.
- Improvement plan presented; community water council leading next steps.
Community Profile: Nueva Esperanza
Guatemala
Population 0
BACKGROUND
Growing community of 40 families on a hillside site
WATER CHALLENGE
New homes are beyond the reach of the current water network.
BARRIERS
Challenging terrain and no budget for professional design.
HOW WE HELP
Students surveyed the site and designed an extension with budget and timeline.
- Design and budget delivered; community taking ownership of the plan.
What You'll Deliver
Make a Sustainable Community Impact
1
Engineering Assessment
Communities receive pro-bono consulting services from you and our international engineering team.
2
Community Collaboration
Communities understand how they can bring clean drinking water into their homes.
3
Complete Water System Design
Communities receive a complete design, budget, and timeline for a system that will meet their needs.
4
Implementation Support
Communities receive several months of follow-up by engineering staff to support them to complete the project.
Note: Students design alongside licensed Global Brigades engineers, who provide technical oversight throughout.
Your Role During Brigade
Career and Leadership Outcomes
For engineering, design, and STEM students
Why Central America
Central America offers one of the world's most dynamic environments for learning sustainable water systems engineering. Students work in mountainous terrain where gravity-fed water systems are essential, partner with remote communities that face complex infrastructure challenges, and collaborate on designs that balance technical performance, environmental sustainability, and long-term affordability. It's an opportunity to apply engineering principles to real-world challenges where thoughtful design can improve health and quality of life for generations.
Engineering Challenges Our Communities Face
Every community presents a unique engineering challenge. Working alongside licensed engineers and local water committees, you'll evaluate existing systems and develop practical solutions that balance performance, cost, sustainability, and long-term maintenance. Throughout the week, you'll learn how engineers adapt proven design principles to the realities of rugged terrain, limited resources, and community priorities.
- Mountainous Terrain: Designing efficient gravity-fed distribution systems
- Water Sources: Evaluating reliability, flow rates, and seasonal variation
- Limited Budgets: Maximizing impact while minimizing construction costs
- Long-Term Sustainability: Designing systems communities can maintain independently
- Community Priorities: Incorporating local knowledge into engineering decisions
Honduras
Water System Design
Volunteers work with local engineers to assess a community’s water challenges, design a feasible water system and present their recommendations to the community. Volunteers learn about access to water, water source evaluation, and systems design.
Donations Goals
$1,390
Avg. airfare $720
Lodging Facilities
Global Brigades does an annual safety review of all lodging facility partners each year. Lodging facilities provide pillows, bedsheets and towels. Facilities have showers, toilets and sinks with running water (no hot water) as well as filtered clean drinking water dispensers onsite. 24-hour security is provided at all facilities. Conditions are most similar to a comfortable summer camp, with dormitory-style sleeping and shared bathrooms.
Engineering Brigades are assigned to lodging facilities based on proximity to the partner community they will be working with.
Hotel y Club Morazan
Hotel y Club Morazan sits along the Pan-American highway in the south of Honduras. It is located in the town of San Lorenzo – a fairly large town in Honduras – in the department of Valle. Although this facility does function as a hotel when students are not present, all compound rules that apply at our other compounds apply here as well, including that all students must stay on hotel premises at all times unless accompanied by staff members. Here, brigaders can enjoy the hotel pool and several indoor and outdoor lounge areas. Global Brigades has used this hotel for approximately 4 years, since the beginning of Medical and Dental brigades began working in the south of Honduras.
Hotel del Angel
Hotel del Angel facility is located approximately 1.5 hours from San Pedro Sula, in the department of La Paz. Here, brigaders enjoy use of the hotel’s spacious seating areas and views. Global Brigades has used the Hotel del Angel facility since the first Medical Brigades in La Paz and Comayagua back in March 2019.
Posada Azul
The Posada Azul facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Posada Azul facility for more than 5 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
El Censo
The El Censo lodging facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the El Censo facility for more than 2 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
Hotel Novotel
Novotel sits in the center of Panama City, about 40 minutes from Panama’s international airport. Global Brigades Panama began using this hotel in 2018 to accommodate any brigades that needed to stay in Panama City. Brigades do not typically stay in Panama City; Global Brigades Panama only uses this facility during emergencies and cases involving extenuating circumstances. Emergency medical care is available in several hospitals in the city.
Hacienda Doña Victoria
Hostal Hacienda Doña Victoria is located in the county of Campana, Capira District, just 40 minutes from Panama City (West Panama). The facilities of the hostel gives the brigaders a good place to spend time, they offer great spaces to reflect or to organize a good game in our sports area and on the other hand you will enjoy the pool, hammocks, BBQ and their Comfortable private rooms with air conditioning.
Hostal Finca Ely
Hostal Finca Ely is located in Tambo, Coclé about 2 a half an hour drive from Penonomé Centre, in West Panama. The facilities of the hostel gives the brigaders a good place to spend time, they offer great spaces to reflect or to organize a good game in our sports area and on the other hand you will enjoy the pool and their Comfortable rooms.
Oasis de Bendición
As the name implies, it is the ideal place to relax after a hard day. It has beautiful landscapes, spacious bedrooms with cabins to encourage coexistence among volunteers. It has a terrace for meetings, multiple areas for indoor recreational activities. It is located a few meters from the main road which provides good access to it.
Iguana Eco Resort
It is a wide place that offers the experience to the volunteers of being in contact with nature. It offers various activities such as hiking. It has cozy rooms with air conditioning, 2 swimming pools and a meeting area. It is located near the city of Penonomé. It is the ideal place to rest after a long day of work in the brigade
Pro Niños
Pro Ninos was one of the first lodges used by GB in its trajectory in the Darien area. It is a beautiful camp in which you can enjoy its variable flora and fauna. It has wooded areas and open spaces to recreate in contact with nature.
Hotel Tonosi
It is located on the Pan-American Highway in the Meteti sector, it has cozy rooms, of four and five people, with color television and air conditioning. It has a covered terrace and countryside landscapes. He is known for his good food and great hospitality.
Hotel Avicar
Hotel Avicar sits along the Pan-American highway, approximately 40 minutes after passing Lago Bayano and is in the center of the town of Torti. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green mountains and farms’ pastures. Also, brigaders staying at Hotel Avicar get see how life plays out in a rural town in East Panama. Emergency medical care is available
in Torti.
El Palmar
The El Palmar hostel sits along the Pan-American highway, approximately 30 minutes after passing Lago Bayano and approximately 10 minutes before reaching the town of Torti. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green mountains and farms’ pastures. Global Brigades Panama has used El Palmar for several years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders. Emergency medical care is easily accessible in Torti.
Asamblea de Dios
Campamento Asambleas De Dios, San Carlos, Panama is a large facility that sits only about 800 meters from the main road(Via Panamericana) approximately 2 hours from Panama City. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Global Brigades Panama has been using the San Carlos facility since March 2015. Emergency medical care is available at the Health Center in the town of San Carlos, approximately 2 minutes from this facility.
The Log Cab Inn
The Log Cab-Inn lodging facility is located in the San Ignacio town at the Cayo District. Here, brigaders enjoy an eternal Summer like environment. This beautiful lodging facility offers cozy double and triple rooms plus with all accommodations, the amenity of having a swimming pool and a hiking trail.
Brown Kubic Hotel
Brown Kubic Hotel is one of the current tentative lodging facilities for Brigades in Greece. Global Brigades has done a safety review of this hotel. It is located right at the Center of Athens, only 10 minutes by foot from the GB Athens Clinic.
Novus City Hotel
Novus City Hotel is one of the current tentative lodging facilities for Brigades in Greece. Global Brigades has done a safety review of this hotel. It is located right at the Center of Athens, only 5 minutes by foot from the GB Athens Clinic and in a vibrant neighborhood.
To Spiti (The Home)
To Spiti lodging facility is run by Global Brigades Greece for volunteers. It is located at the center of Athens, opposite the city’s second-largest public park, Pedion Areos (meaning Fields of Mars).
Villas del Valle
The Villas del Valle lodging facility is located in the mountains approximately 1 hour northwest of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a cool climate high up in the mountains near the town of Valle de los Angeles. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Villas del Valle facility for more than 3 years, housing hundreds of brigaders.
Casa del Sol
The Casa del Sol facility is located approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes south of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy use of the hotel’s spacious seating areas and views of distant mountains.
Posada Azul
The Posada Azul facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Posada Azul facility for more than 5 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
Bobmah Hotel
Bobmah Hotel is located at Abura Dunkwa, about 30 minutes North-West of Cape Coast in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese (AAK) District of Ghana. one of the two Districts that GB Ghana works with. The facility is located in Abura Dunkwa which is about 5 minutes drive from the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District Assembly Office and also 30-40 minutes away from most of the communities that GB Ghana works with.
The facility has a total of 18 en suite rooms with air-conditioning. It is also well fenced and gated with 24 hour security present and CCTV cameras fitted at all corners to ensure the safety and security of volunteers at all times.
Weda Ocean View Resort
Weda Ocean View Resort is located 30 minutes from the historical Ghanaian town of Cape Coast along the sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean on the Accra-Cape Coast highway. The brick hotel situated on top of hill overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the Anomabo Township and has a rooftop terrace where guests can relax and enjoy the salty sea breeze.
The rooms are fitted with air conditioners, refrigerators, writing desks, armchairs, and wardrobes. Each room has a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
Weda Ocean View Resort’s restaurant is operated by trained staff of Global Brigades and serves the best of local and continental cuisines. Laundry service is provided at no cost to volunteers once a week.
Weda Ocean View Resort is also 1.5 hours from the Ekumfi District where all Global Brigades Ghana communities are located.
Centro de Retiros Jireh
The Centro de Retiros Jireh lodging facility is located in the city of Chimaltenango, approximately 2 hours northwest of Guatemala City. The facility includes a dining area, outdoor patio, and swimming pool.
Centro de Capacitación Maya Uleu
The Centro de Capacitación Maya Uleu lodging facility is located approximately 2 hours northwest of Guatemala City. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of lush greenery and distant mountains.
Guatemala
Water System Design
Volunteers work in the Tecpan region with local engineers to assess a community’s water challenges, design a feasible water system and present their recommendations to the community. Volunteers learn about access to water, water source evaluation, and systems design as they contribute to implementing the Holistic Model in rural Mayan Guatemalan communities.
Donations Goals
$1,490
Avg. airfare $710
Lodging Facilities
Global Brigades does an annual safety review of all lodging facility partners each year. Lodging facilities provide pillows, bedsheets and towels. Facilities have showers, toilets and sinks with running water (no hot water) as well as filtered clean drinking water dispensers onsite. 24-hour security is provided at all facilities. Conditions are most similar to a comfortable summer camp, with dormitory-style sleeping and shared bathrooms.
Engineering Brigades are assigned to lodging facilities based on proximity to the partner community they will be working with.
Hotel y Club Morazan
Hotel y Club Morazan sits along the Pan-American highway in the south of Honduras. It is located in the town of San Lorenzo – a fairly large town in Honduras – in the department of Valle. Although this facility does function as a hotel when students are not present, all compound rules that apply at our other compounds apply here as well, including that all students must stay on hotel premises at all times unless accompanied by staff members. Here, brigaders can enjoy the hotel pool and several indoor and outdoor lounge areas. Global Brigades has used this hotel for approximately 4 years, since the beginning of Medical and Dental brigades began working in the south of Honduras.
Hotel del Angel
Hotel del Angel facility is located approximately 1.5 hours from San Pedro Sula, in the department of La Paz. Here, brigaders enjoy use of the hotel’s spacious seating areas and views. Global Brigades has used the Hotel del Angel facility since the first Medical Brigades in La Paz and Comayagua back in March 2019.
Posada Azul
The Posada Azul facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Posada Azul facility for more than 5 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
El Censo
The El Censo lodging facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the El Censo facility for more than 2 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
Hotel Novotel
Novotel sits in the center of Panama City, about 40 minutes from Panama’s international airport. Global Brigades Panama began using this hotel in 2018 to accommodate any brigades that needed to stay in Panama City. Brigades do not typically stay in Panama City; Global Brigades Panama only uses this facility during emergencies and cases involving extenuating circumstances. Emergency medical care is available in several hospitals in the city.
Hacienda Doña Victoria
Hostal Hacienda Doña Victoria is located in the county of Campana, Capira District, just 40 minutes from Panama City (West Panama). The facilities of the hostel gives the brigaders a good place to spend time, they offer great spaces to reflect or to organize a good game in our sports area and on the other hand you will enjoy the pool, hammocks, BBQ and their Comfortable private rooms with air conditioning.
Hostal Finca Ely
Hostal Finca Ely is located in Tambo, Coclé about 2 a half an hour drive from Penonomé Centre, in West Panama. The facilities of the hostel gives the brigaders a good place to spend time, they offer great spaces to reflect or to organize a good game in our sports area and on the other hand you will enjoy the pool and their Comfortable rooms.
Oasis de Bendición
As the name implies, it is the ideal place to relax after a hard day. It has beautiful landscapes, spacious bedrooms with cabins to encourage coexistence among volunteers. It has a terrace for meetings, multiple areas for indoor recreational activities. It is located a few meters from the main road which provides good access to it.
Iguana Eco Resort
It is a wide place that offers the experience to the volunteers of being in contact with nature. It offers various activities such as hiking. It has cozy rooms with air conditioning, 2 swimming pools and a meeting area. It is located near the city of Penonomé. It is the ideal place to rest after a long day of work in the brigade
Pro Niños
Pro Ninos was one of the first lodges used by GB in its trajectory in the Darien area. It is a beautiful camp in which you can enjoy its variable flora and fauna. It has wooded areas and open spaces to recreate in contact with nature.
Hotel Tonosi
It is located on the Pan-American Highway in the Meteti sector, it has cozy rooms, of four and five people, with color television and air conditioning. It has a covered terrace and countryside landscapes. He is known for his good food and great hospitality.
Hotel Avicar
Hotel Avicar sits along the Pan-American highway, approximately 40 minutes after passing Lago Bayano and is in the center of the town of Torti. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green mountains and farms’ pastures. Also, brigaders staying at Hotel Avicar get see how life plays out in a rural town in East Panama. Emergency medical care is available
in Torti.
El Palmar
The El Palmar hostel sits along the Pan-American highway, approximately 30 minutes after passing Lago Bayano and approximately 10 minutes before reaching the town of Torti. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green mountains and farms’ pastures. Global Brigades Panama has used El Palmar for several years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders. Emergency medical care is easily accessible in Torti.
Asamblea de Dios
Campamento Asambleas De Dios, San Carlos, Panama is a large facility that sits only about 800 meters from the main road(Via Panamericana) approximately 2 hours from Panama City. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. Global Brigades Panama has been using the San Carlos facility since March 2015. Emergency medical care is available at the Health Center in the town of San Carlos, approximately 2 minutes from this facility.
The Log Cab Inn
The Log Cab-Inn lodging facility is located in the San Ignacio town at the Cayo District. Here, brigaders enjoy an eternal Summer like environment. This beautiful lodging facility offers cozy double and triple rooms plus with all accommodations, the amenity of having a swimming pool and a hiking trail.
Brown Kubic Hotel
Brown Kubic Hotel is one of the current tentative lodging facilities for Brigades in Greece. Global Brigades has done a safety review of this hotel. It is located right at the Center of Athens, only 10 minutes by foot from the GB Athens Clinic.
Novus City Hotel
Novus City Hotel is one of the current tentative lodging facilities for Brigades in Greece. Global Brigades has done a safety review of this hotel. It is located right at the Center of Athens, only 5 minutes by foot from the GB Athens Clinic and in a vibrant neighborhood.
To Spiti (The Home)
To Spiti lodging facility is run by Global Brigades Greece for volunteers. It is located at the center of Athens, opposite the city’s second-largest public park, Pedion Areos (meaning Fields of Mars).
Villas del Valle
The Villas del Valle lodging facility is located in the mountains approximately 1 hour northwest of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a cool climate high up in the mountains near the town of Valle de los Angeles. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Villas del Valle facility for more than 3 years, housing hundreds of brigaders.
Casa del Sol
The Casa del Sol facility is located approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes south of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy use of the hotel’s spacious seating areas and views of distant mountains.
Posada Azul
The Posada Azul facility is located in a valley approximately 1 hour and 30 mintues east of Tegucigalpa. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of green pastures, sugar cane fields and distant mountains. Global Brigades Honduras has used the Posada Azul facility for more than 5 years, and it has housed hundreds of brigaders.
Bobmah Hotel
Bobmah Hotel is located at Abura Dunkwa, about 30 minutes North-West of Cape Coast in the Abura Asebu Kwamankese (AAK) District of Ghana. one of the two Districts that GB Ghana works with. The facility is located in Abura Dunkwa which is about 5 minutes drive from the Abura Asebu Kwamankese District Assembly Office and also 30-40 minutes away from most of the communities that GB Ghana works with.
The facility has a total of 18 en suite rooms with air-conditioning. It is also well fenced and gated with 24 hour security present and CCTV cameras fitted at all corners to ensure the safety and security of volunteers at all times.
Weda Ocean View Resort
Weda Ocean View Resort is located 30 minutes from the historical Ghanaian town of Cape Coast along the sandy beach of the Atlantic Ocean on the Accra-Cape Coast highway. The brick hotel situated on top of hill overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and the Anomabo Township and has a rooftop terrace where guests can relax and enjoy the salty sea breeze.
The rooms are fitted with air conditioners, refrigerators, writing desks, armchairs, and wardrobes. Each room has a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries.
Weda Ocean View Resort’s restaurant is operated by trained staff of Global Brigades and serves the best of local and continental cuisines. Laundry service is provided at no cost to volunteers once a week.
Weda Ocean View Resort is also 1.5 hours from the Ekumfi District where all Global Brigades Ghana communities are located.
Centro de Retiros Jireh
The Centro de Retiros Jireh lodging facility is located in the city of Chimaltenango, approximately 2 hours northwest of Guatemala City. The facility includes a dining area, outdoor patio, and swimming pool.
Centro de Capacitación Maya Uleu
The Centro de Capacitación Maya Uleu lodging facility is located approximately 2 hours northwest of Guatemala City. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of a landscape full of lush greenery and distant mountains.
Sample Brigade Itinerary
A balanced week of impact, education, and cultural immersion.
DAY 1: Arrival
Orientation
| 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Airport pick up, transport to lodging facility & settle in |
| 4:00 PM | Introduction to Global Brigades |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:00 PM | Staff introduction |
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Water system introduction |
DAY 2: Community Meeting
Community Discovery
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Transport to community |
| 9:00 AM | Community leader meeting |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Technical evaluation and site visit |
| 4:00 PM | Transport to lodging facility |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Reflection & water profile |
DAY 3: Engineering Assessment
Project mapping, measurements, and planning, plus evening data compilation and design.
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Transport to community |
| 9:00 AM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 4:00 PM | Transport to lodging facility |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Data compilation and design |
DAY 4: Field Measurements & Design
Continued mapping, measurements, and planning with evening data compilation and design.
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Transport to community |
| 9:00 AM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 4:00 PM | Transport to lodging facility |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Data compilation and design |
DAY 5: Design
Engineering Workshop
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Transport to community |
| 9:00 AM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Project mapping, measurements, and planning |
| 4:00 PM | Transport to lodging facility |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Design presentation preparation |
DAY 6: Final Presentation
Community project presentation and final reflections.
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM | Transport to community |
| 9:00 AM | Project presentation preparation |
| 12:00 NN | Lunch |
| 1:00 PM | Community project presentation |
| 4:00 PM | Transport to lodging facility |
| 5:00 PM | Free time |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner |
| 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM | Final reflections & recommendations |
DAY 7: Departure
Breakfast and departure to the airport.
| 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 10:00 AM | Depart to airport |
Impact
100+
Universities Engaged
OVER 20+ YEARS
+64,000
Granted Access to Clean Water
85
Water Systems Constructed
50
Systems Designed
Donation Goals
Starting at $1,390 + Airfare
USD per volunteer · varies by country
BY COUNTRY
Panama
$1,595
Avg. airfare $750
Guatemala
$1,490
Avg. airfare $710
Honduras
$1,390
Avg. airfare $720
Airfare
Group airfare to your program country
Logistics
Ground transportation, lodging, meals
Support & Safety
Emergency insurance, translators, local staff
Engineering Services
Engineering staff, assessments, design work, project follow-up
Donation goals: Honduras USD $2,290 · Guatemala USD $2,340 · Panama USD $2,495. Minimum 10 volunteers, no maximum.
Safety, Ethics, and Responsible Service
Safety Protocols
- Average 3:1 volunteer to staff ratio
- Trained coordinators and local logistics team
- Trained drivers and emergency support
- STEP registration for U.S. volunteers
- Embassy awareness and OSAC membership
Ethical Standards
- Community ownership of every project
- Informed consent
- Community-led project priorities
- Licensed engineer oversight of all designs
- Working under local professional guidance
- Compliance with water sector's local legislations and regulations
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be an engineering student?
What kind of engineering work will students do?
Where does the program operate?
Engineering Consulting operates in Guatemala and Panama, with programs also available in Honduras.
Where do my funds go?
Funds cover group airfare, ground transportation, lodging, meals, insurance, translators, local staff, and engineering project support.
What do communities receive?
A complete design, budget, and timeline for a water system that meets their needs, plus several months of follow-up by engineering staff to support them to complete the project.
How many students are needed to start a chapter?
A minimum of 10 volunteers, with no maximum. Recruit 10+ volunteers to be eligible for a $1,000 Chapter Leader Scholarship (US & CAN).
Can professors participate?
Yes — professors are highly encouraged to join and are eligible for a $400 USD scholarship.
What happens after the brigade ends?
Communities receive several months of follow-up by Global Brigades engineering staff to support them to complete the project.
How far in advance should we plan?
Confirm dates and reserve space 10+ months prior, promote 8+ months prior, recruit toward the deposit deadline 5+ months prior, and prepare to travel in the final 6 months.
Next Steps to Mobilize Your Club
1
Review with your chapter leadership team, confirm your dates and reserve space; group airfare and confirm program details and cost (10+ months prior)
2
Promote: finalize your promotion kit with custom handouts, presentation and registration page; schedule interest meeting to announce (8+ months prior)
3
Recruit: drive registration towards the deposit due date (5+ months prior)
4
Prepare: raise funds and get your students ready to travel — Welcome Packet and Final Expectations Meetings (0-6 months prior)
