Hello! My name is Andy and I am a current first-year student at Brown University planning to study neuroscience while on a pre-med track. Outside of Global Brigades, I am involved in my school's Class Coordinating Board, Vietnamese Students Association, and First-Gen Club.

I joined Global Brigades this year because it is everything that I sought to find in a service trip that I failed to see in other ones. My high school had a Costa Rica service trip, but from the description and price it appeared to be more tourism than volunteerism. Global Brigades is not like this; it is 100% providing services to those who need it for its entire duration. I am especially happy with Global Brigades' mission to provide a LASTING and SUSTAINABLE change in the communities that trips go to.

However, the cost of the trip (although much less expensive than other trips since there is no tourism involved) is still rather steep. You can help me fund this trip by making a donation of any size! I am also working during my winter break and second semester to continue raising money. It can be difficult to find the money for great opportunities like this as a low-income and first-generation student, but I hope to be able to make enough so that I can help make a difference.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for any donations of any size!

If you have any more questions about who I am, why I want to do this trip, or anything else, then I can be emailed at andy_pham@brown.edu.