For my third and final video in this reflection series, I use pictures of me and my team

working in Nicaragua to show the kind of service work we did: interacting with children, staffing
makeshift pharmacies, taking patient vitals, and doing construction work. I use these pictures
because the asset-based community development model made me think seriously about the work we
did in Nicaragua. The interesting thing is that many of us did not know how to do any of the work
before we got to Nicaragua. A few of us knew how to take vitals and taught those of us who didnt
know. Our translators taught us how to ask questions to take patient histories or how to instruct
patients with the correct dosages for their medication. None of us knew how to mix concrete or lay
bricks, so all of us learned these things from the construction experts Global Brigades hired from
the communities. In short, I find that I was not gifted with any particular set of skills to help me take
part in community development. The people from Nicaragua, hired by Global Brigades, were the
true assets in helping my teams accomplish anything in Nicaragua.
Yet, what I did have, and still do have, is a willingness to learn and a desire to form
relationships. I think that is how Global Brigades works. This organization partners students from
the United States, who want to understand global problems better, with people from the countries it
operates, who can help these students understand and teach them how to do a little of the work they
know how to do. We were not the main agents of change. The agents of change were the people of
Nicaragua, who live in the communities we entered. They know what needs to be fixed and they
have the skill and knowledge to do it. They even have the manpower. But, I think what they want is
what I wanted: to be connected to a global community and to try my best to right inequality. So,
with the help of Global Brigades, the people of Nciaragua invited us to come be with them and help
them in the small ways we could. That was the Way that we found. That was how we helped
develop a global community.




Video Script:
When I came to serve in Nicaragua, I become a part of two associations. Two groups of
people in powerful relationship, working for a change. First, my teams, my peers from Loyola. On
both my trips, these were people I had never met before. But, these Loyola students and myself
spent time together and worked together in a way that profoundly changed all of us. Our student
leaders did an excellent job at identifying o our gifts and putting us in places to use them best. Some
could speak more Spanish than others, so they were sent to jobs where Spanish understanding was
necessary. Some were stronger than others, and thus did more of the heavy lifting during
construction.
The second association was the association between our team, Global Brigades, and the
people of Nicaragua. In fact, I cant divide Global brigades and the people of Nicaragua because for
my trips, they were one and the same. The staff of Global Brigades were people from Nicaragua
people who had lived there for years, grown up there, and knew the country and its needs well. The
doctors and pharmacists, who worked with us, translators, bus drivers, staff who prepared our
meals, construction workers who helped us do public health workall of these people came from
Nicaragua. Some of them even came from the very communities we worked in. As an organization,
Global Brigades found these people, identified them as assets to the mission of the organization, and
brought them in contact with my teams. Without them, we could not have done any service in
Nicaragua. We would not have known what the problems truly were. These people were assets to
their community and their country.
Im reminded specifically of my time spent shadowing one of the doctors. I spent all day
watching Dr. Marin work.. I learned so much from her interactions with patients. She exuded
confidence and poise, and took time to explain things in detail to me. She even allowed me to take


part in her work-use her stethoscope to listen to a asthma patients lungs or handing out parasite
medication to every patients and explain the dosage.
As she helped me take part in her work, I felt valued by her. Somehow, I felt like an asset,
which honestly surprises me. I came to help fix the inequalities I saw in Nicaragua. I recognized that
communities in Nicaragua lack what I take for granted: clean water, plumbing, easy access to
medication. I got off the bus to help fix these problems, but the more I look back on it, the more I
realize how small a role I actually played in fixing anything. The people I saw doing the most good
were the Nicaraguan doctors, pharmacists, and construction workers who held my hand every step
of the way as I stumbled about, trying to make a difference. I had no idea how to give correct
dosages in Spanish or lay bricks. I was taught these things by the people of Nicaragua.
The more I think about it, the more I think my gift, my asset, was my willingness to learn. I
wanted to learn about Nicaragua, look closely, see the problems the people face, help them, and
ultimately be with them. This was my association with the people of Nicaragua. We made
connections beyond our borders, beyond the window, as they showed me their country, taught me
how to help them, and allowed me to spend time with them. That was our way. I look forward to
returning again to reconnect with that way.