Global Brigades is an international non-profit that empowers communities to meet their health and economic goals through university volunteers and local teams.

Micro-enterprise Clients

GBB volunteers work with micro-enterprises to support in various business areas, such as marketing, finances, supply chain, growth strategy and more. See some of our current clients below.

Panama

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Community Bank Cañazas

The community bank of Cañazas was established officially in October 2019. It is one of the newest community banks in Eastern Panama with a strong executive board and a motivated…
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Community Bank El Balé

The caja rural of el El Balé was founded in 2019 as a part of the World Bank Project alongside three other communities.
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Community Bank of Pueblo Nuevo

The Caja Rural of Pueblo Nuevo was founded in 2014 and has been the star community bank since then.
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Community Bank Emberá Puru

The Caja Rural of Emberá Puru was founded in 2014 and its 25 active members meet every week to discuss savings and growth strategies for the caja.
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Community Bank Arimae

The Caja Rural of Arimae was founded in 2014 and is currently in the process of building the physical structure for their community bank.
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Community Bank El Peñón

The caja rural of el Peñón was founded in 2019 as a part of the World Bank Project alongside three other communities.
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Artisan Group Visita Flor

Visita Flor is an artisan group based in the community of Emberá Puru, made up of 24 dedicated women.
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Yadira's Kiosk

Yadira's Kiosk is a store located in the community of Pueblo Nuevo which has been operating for over 8 years.
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Raíces Ancestrales - Yenia Bipuro

Raíces Ancestrales is an artisan business by Yenia Bipuro, a leader in the community of Pueblo Nuevo.
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Urda's Agricultural Venture

Urda's Agricultural Venture is a business focused on the production and sale of plantain, located in the community of Pueblo Nuevo.
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Community Bank Zapallal

The community bank of Zapallal was founded in 2015. Through their incredible hard work they have been able to build a physical office where they can have meetings every week.…
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Mati's Duros - Zapallal, Panama

Matilde Reyes is a proud member of the community of Zapallal. She sells popsicles called "duros" as well as a variety of other homemade snacks.
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Community Bank Quebrada Honda

The community bank of Quebrada Honda was founded in 2015 as a way to provide financial access to credit and savings to the community. They are looking to expand their…
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Community Bank Tortí

The community bank of Tortí was officially inaugurated in January 2020, being the youngest community bank they are full of dreams, opportunities and willingness to learn, grow and develop.
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Liscanio's Farm

Liscanio is a farmer in the community of Pueblo Nuevo who is trying to reestablish his plantain and yuca business.
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Community Bank Curtí

The community bank of Curtí was founded in 2016 as a way to provide financial access to credit and savings to the community. They have strong leadership and are a key…
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Artesanías Imaira

Artesanias Imaira is an artisan micro-enterprise founded by Imaira Chiari, a talented woman from Guacuco Guna. The business offers a variety of artisan products, such as molas (one of the…
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María Cecilia Montenegro

María lives in the community of Cañazas, located in eastern Panama. She and her family have lived in this community her whole life. Maria's main source of income is selling…
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Yarilis Frias

Yarilis is a 35 years old mother and micro-entrepreneur. she has been living in the community of Cañazas, located in eastern Panama, all her life. She is very devoted to…
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Yaira Valencia

Yaira is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of el Zapallal in Panama. She has been selling coconut oil for about six months to help her family…
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Guillermina Vega Cruz

Guillermina is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Cañazas in Panama. She has been selling coconut chickens and eggs to help her family during the current…
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Walkiria Miranda

Walkiria is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Rio Pavo in Panama. She has been selling different goods to help her family during the current situation…
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Yazmila Bacorizo

Yazmila is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Pueblo Nuevo in Panama. She has been cultivating and selling agricultural goods such as plantain and cazaba to…
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Bety Vega

Betzy is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Villa Darien in Panama. She has been running a small internet cafe to help her family during the…
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Etelvina Vega

Etelvina is a dedicated grandmother that lives in the community of Cañazas in Panama. She has been selling chickens and eggs to provide a steady income to her family during…
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Argelis Arboleda

Argelis is a mother and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Cañazas in Panama. She has been selling different products in her kiosk to help her family during the…
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Unilda Peña

Unilda is a mother of 3 and micro-entrepreneur. that lives in the community of Yavisa in Panama. She has been selling chickens to provide a steady income for her family…
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Librada Yaneth Lizette Castro

For the past five months, Panama has been under strict quarantine rules to avoid the increase of Covid-19 cases, which has tremendously affected the economy and small businesses. Now that…
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Fonda Ratchita - Eulalia Camaño

Fonda Ratchita is a small restaurant located in the community of el Balé, in the indigenous Comarca Ngobe-Buglé, to the west of Panamá City, owned by Eulalia Camaño.
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Pascuala Jimenez's Kiosk

Located in the community of El Balé, Pascuala Jimenez's Kiosk, is a strong retail business which has been operating since late 2017.
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Community Bank Ipetí Emberá

The Caja Rural of Ipetí Emberá was established in 2014 and is currently in the process of planning to create a physical structure for their bank.
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Jumara Juwa Artisanal Store

Jumara Juwa, which means "with everybodys hands" in the indigenous Emberá language , is a artisanal store located in the community of Ipetí Emberá made up of 30 talented women.
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Community Bank Ipetí Guna

The caja rural of Ipetí Guna was established in 2015 and has 60 active members that consistenly meet every Friday to save and work with loans provided by the community…
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Yina Perez Kiosk

Located in Ipetí Guna, Yina sells the basic everyday products like cooking oil, sugar, rice, coffee, while also being an active member of the community bank.
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Community Bank Piriatí Emberá

The caja rural of Piriatí Emberá was established in the year of 2013 and it is one of the oldest and strongest community banks.
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Kiosk Mi Bendición

Located in the community of Piriati, the kiosk Mi Bendicion has been operating for almost ten years selling over 300 types of products.
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Luis's Kiosk

Luis's Kiosk offers food products such as chicken, dry goods, sausage, sodas, snacks, toiletries, frozen treats called duros, and household goods. 
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Diana Jacqueline Mendieta's Chicken Farm

Diana Jaqueline Mendieta is a member of the community bank of Canglón & has worked in the poultry business for over 10 years. Jaqueline is a very proactive entrepreneur, dedicating…
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Catatlina Perez Chicken Coop - Canglon, Panama

Catalina Pérez is 40 years old and is the president of the Community Bank of Canglón. She is a strong leader and entrepreneur, her most profitable business activity is her…
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Pro-Artesanas

Pro-Artesanas of El Peñón is a group of 12 talented women that sew artisan goods, particularly baby clothes, blankets, and table sets that are sold in Panamá City.
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Egilio & Berta Organics - Ipeti Embera, Panama

Having recently moved back to Ipeti, Egilio, and his wife Berta are starting up a organic farming business.
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Model Farm - Piriati Embera, Panama

To combat environmental degradation and increase economic production in the community the people of Piriati established the Piriati-Poapono Model Farm business.
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Pollos Perez - Canglón, Panama

Virginia Pérez is 46 years old and she dedicates herself to a wide range of economic activities. She is also an active member of the community bank. Virginia sells tortillas,…
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Gonzalez Pork Venture - Canglon, Panama

Mrs. Gonzalez has begun raising pigs to sell to local markets and restaurants, where pork is in high demand
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Luis Samaná Produce Stand

Luis Samaná is an outstanding entrepreneur from Curtí who produces and sells agricultural products in his community.
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Chicken Venture, Andrea Campos - Zapallal, Panama

Located in the Zapallal community in Darien, Andrea Campos is an active member of the Community Bank and has been in the business of raising and selling chickens for nearly…
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Abarroteria Raysa- Ipeti Colono, Panama

Mrs. Castillo is one of the newest members of the community bank in Ipeti Colono and is currently a local store owner that provides her community with all kinds of…
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Biodelda's Designs- Ipeti Colono, Panama

Biodelda is a long-time seamstress who learned the skill from her grandmother. She creates traditional Panamanian dresses common for special occasions.
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Mrs. Garcia's Chicken and Cebaderas- Ipeti Colono, Panama

Mrs. García crafts "cebaderas" which are saddlebags for people to carry their groceries while on horseback. She is also the treasurer of the Community Bank in Ipeti Colono and is…
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Nisburundungan Artisan Group - Ibedi Guna, Panama

Meaning shooting star in the indigenous Guna language, the Nisbundorgan Artisan Group is a cooperative of local women dedicated to preserving Guna culture through the creation and sales of traditional…
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Kiosco Alexi- Ibedi Guna, Panama

Kiosco Alexi is a small shop located in the center of Ibedi Guna, selling a wide variety of products, including foodstuff and personal hygiene products
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Kiosko La Fula - Ibedi Guna, Panama

Etimilda Diaz is a proud member of the Community Bank since its inception. Right next to the bank office, she manages a kiosk that sells various items such as chicken,…
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Platero's Chicken Venture- Curtí, Panama

Carolina Platero is starting a small business that produces chicken to be sold in local stores. She currently has no form of personal income but is excited to get her…
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Finca Werara Crincha - Ipeti Embera, Panama

The Finca Ecoturistica Werãrã Crincha was established by the Environmental Committee of Ipeti Embera to showcase sustainable agricultural practices and introduce tourists to local agriculture.
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Kiosko Olivia - Curtí - Panama

Olivia Mona owns a roadside kiosk and is looking to improve her business as well as her farm where she grows plantains and raises chickens.
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Jimmy's Bakery - Curtí, Panama

Jimmy and his entrepreneurial family want to improve the community’s access to fresh bread and bakery sweets.
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Guillermina Chicken Venture - Canglon, Panama

Maria Guillermina is a founding member and the Secretary of the Canglon Community Bank, who has also opened a chicken venture to save money for her children.
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Perez Agricultural Venture - Ibedi Guna, Panama

Omar Perez is dedicated to turning his otoe (cocoyam) farm into a more sustainable venture through diversified permaculture projects

Honduras

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Pulperia Christian

Mrs. Maricela Cardona founded Pulperia Christian in 2015 and has since then been able to build a strong client base comprised of mainly Suyapa community members. Since then, Pulperia Christian…
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Tamales Reyna

Mrs. Reyna, a Suyapa community member, began selling her homemade chicken and pork tamales in 2018. Whether it be to family, friends or other community members, she has sold countless…
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Pulperia Marisela

Marisela Cardona started her Pulperia, othwise defined as a small corner store, in 2016 in order to provide her family with greater financial security. Since then, she has grown her…
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Tajaditas La Bendición

Mario Pineda started his plantain business to be able to have greater financial stability. He sells very high quality plantain chips in the local school and church in Suyapa. He…
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Pulperia Zulema

Pulperia Zulema was founded in 2000 by Mrs. Zulema and now has grown to be one of the largest pulperias in the area. Mrs. Zulema has garnered significant experience and…
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Rosquillas Donatila

Mrs. Donatila, founder of Rosaquillas Donatila, has been running her successful business since 2004. Rosquillas are quite popular in Honduras, and can be described as a ring shaped cookie that…
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Nimia Bakery

Nimia Bakery was founded in 2016 by Mrs. Nimia Cortez in the rural community of Cerro Bonito. Mrs. Cortez learned to bake artisanal breads and pastries from both her mother…
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Panaderia Gerson

Panderia Gerson was founded by Mrs. Gladys Alonzo in 2019. Situated in the rural community of Cerro Bonito, Mrs. Alonzo bakes a wide-variety of breads and pastry's but she believes…
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Pulperia Christian

Pulperia Christian is a small corner store owned and operated by Ms. Isabel Galindo. She started this small business in 2016 in her small community of Cerro Bonito. Her hopes…
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Tajaditas de Plantano La Bendicion

Mario Pineda started his plantain business in order to strengthen his financial stability. He sells very high quality plantain chips in the local schools and churches in Suyapa. And although…
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Agricultural Store - El Ojochal, Honduras

To meet the needs of community farmers to increase production and also generate profit, an Agricultural Supplies store was established in 2014 in El Ojochal.
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Bakery - El Cantón, Honduras

The women owned bakery in El Cantón purchases ingredients within the community and now delivers thousands of baked goods regionally, while employing community members in production, delivery, administration, and sales.
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Bakery - Fray Lazaro, Honduras

Motivated by lack of work, especially for women in the community, and the existing market for baked goods in the area, Fray Lazaro established a bakery business in November 2015.
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Coffee Cooperative - El Zurzular, Honduras

The El Zurzular Coffee Cooperative was developed to support the community's coffee farmers, which is the main source of income for the community.
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Tilapia Farm - El Jute, Honduras

The tilapia production business was established in March 2016, in El Jute with the support of the Higher Quest Foundation. Their goal is to produce over 4,000 lbs. of fish…

Ghana

Closed

Bakery - Ekumfi Ebuakwa, Ghana

Seeing a market opportunity and to save their fellow community members time and money to obtain basic baked goods, the community of Ekumfi Ebuakwa established a bakery business in May…
Completed

Chair & Canopy Rental - Ekumfi Egyankwa, Ghana

To serve the market for cultural events in the region, the community of Ekumfi Egyankwa started a Chair and Canopy Rental business in May 2013.
Completed

Corn Processing Mill - Ekumfi Adansemaim, Ghana

Motivated by spoiling crops and excessive travel to process their corn, the members of Adansemaim donated community land and invested in a corn processing mill.
Closed

Fishing Boat - Ekumfi Srafa Aboano, Ghana

To prevent young fisherman from leaving the community to seek work elsewhere and to generate more profit for the community in general a fishing boat was purchased to increase production.
Completed

Gari & Corn Processing Mill - Ekumfi Ekotsi, Ghana

To prevent crop production from going bad before sale, the community of Ekumfi Ekotsi started a gari and corn processing mill in May 2011.

Greece

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Chri-Bri African Restaurant

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Liena's Wildflower

The shop is situated In Kypseli [ciˈpseli], an Athenian neighborhood that used to be very rich and “aristocratic”. In the 80’s, many residents of Kypseli moved to the suburbs of…
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Arif's Mini Market

Arif's small business has little competitive advantage over the local market making it difficult for him to do proper financial planning regarding ordering and pricing. Also, he's working on adding…
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Godfrey's Global International Services

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Djammaba Apparel - Moussa Sangare

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Tarzan Cafe Bar - Nikos and Giorgos

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Interafbase - Commercial Agency

Julien’s small enterprise makes it difficult for him to find parties that want to cooperate with his business both on a legal and regular basis. This leads to an absence…
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Inter Mini Market - Joseph Mpanda

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Culture and Space - Osurodion Osas

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Agia’s Falafel - Abdul Mohamad

Nicaragua

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Basic Grain Sales - San Gabriel, Nicaragua

The cooperative of San Gabriel purchases grains directly from local producers and sells them within the community at a competitive price.
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Chair & Table Rental - Encuentros de San Gabriel, Nicaragua

The people of Encuentros de San Gabriel started a Chair & Table Rental business to meet local demand and infuse income into the community.
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Chicken Farm - El Naranjo, Nicaragua

Due to drought and the lack of jobs, the community of El Naranjo established a chicken farm in 2016.
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Community Corn and Cashew Farm - El Salto, Nicaragua

The community members of El Salto will produce corn and cashews on land rented by the community collectively.
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Lime Orchard - El Hatillo, Nicaragua

The people of El Hatillo have started a lime orchard to sell the fruit to local supermarkets and diversify their community's economy.