August 2011 UCSC Business Brigades

Start Date: Aug 27, 2011 10:00 PM
End Date: Sep 3, 2011 10:00 PM

Business Brigade volunteers provide business consulting and investment support to under resourced micro-enterprises in Panama. The brigade volunteers conduct assessments, leverage consulting methodologies to address problems of the business, and teach workshops to the business owners.

Community Needs:

Lack of the business know-how – Many communities have entrepreneurial members who take the initiative to create business organizations that benefit the community as a whole. Unfortunately, their efforts and enthusiasm and are often crushed by not knowing how to organize, plan, execute and proceed with the business idea.

Lack of resources – Financial hardship is common and spread throughout many rural communities in Panama.

Absence of support or empowerment – Many communities have forgotten how far they can get if they believe in themselves, which is sometimes due to any challenges or setbacks that come up.