Through the Global Business Brigades, undergraduate students are sent to rural communities abroad to assist with service projects. I have been asked to lead a group of 20 undergraduate students this spring on a trip to the Panama Este region. In Panama, economic inequality is drastic, leaving much of rural Panama in poverty without access to greater education and financial resources. What I love most about this program is that it doesn't merely give financial handouts to communities in need, but rather seeks to create sustainable economic development solutions to improve the overall socio-economic level of under-resourced communities. To learn more about the Global Business Brigades, go to http://www.globalbrigades.org/business-methodology.

On March 16th, I will depart on a 7-day mission to make positive change and I couldn't be more excited! However, since the trip is funded entirely through donations and by those going on the service trip, my goal is to raise the entire amount for my trip. The total cost is $1,600 per person which includes airfare, all meals, and in country travel costs. Fund-raisers are being held by those going on the trip and every penny collected will be used to directly benefit the residents of Panama.