By Denise Konkol

Special to your Catholic Herald

MILWAUKEE — The term “service project” took on new meaning for more than a dozen Marquette University students, who traveled to Guatemala and Honduras in spring to help business groups become more sustainable.

Marquette Global Business Brigades, a program that gives students hands-on experience working with micro-enterprises in the developing world, traveled to the countries in May. It is one of three brigades serving the needs of these countries, with medical and water/engineering brigades also forming the other two “legs” of the triangle. However, according to economics professor Joseph Daniels, the work for these students began many months prior.

“We start in fall by giving the students background in the history of the country and culture in which they will be working,” he explained. “Faculty and students come together to help prepare and cover whatever logistics may need to be understood.”

For example, a marketing plan on paper may have to be rethought as soon as they touch down because of cultural or geographic factors not considered or understood. Developing countries often pose challenges (distribution of available resources for one) to marketing that mean goals will take much longer to achieve.

Students traveling to Quiche, Guatemala, were to evaluate the sustainability of an egg production farm, which funds an alcoholic rehabilitation center. Working with CARITAS and traveling with School Sister of Notre Dame Jan Gregorich, who had lived in the region for 12 years, students had to analyze the challenges and develop solutions that would fit within the culture. Initially, the challenge seemed to be how to deal with competing producers in the region, as eggs are plentiful in the marketplace.

“When we got there, we found out that there were many eggs being imported illegally from Mexico sold at a lower price,” explained Maria Ibanez, a graduate student and trip faculty coordinator. “It quickly changed our view of the problem, as we had to now focus on cost versus quality. We negotiated with suppliers, did surveys to find out how others were packaging and pricing their eggs as well.”

While the group did not expect to turn the problem around in the space of a week, the goal of helping the business think differently about its product, and how to change perceptions locally was more important. The students continue to keep in contact with the business to monitor its progress.

“We are working with them to address how they can continue higher-quality egg production while reducing costs,” Ibanez added.

In Honduras, a group of about 14 students visited Buen Samaritano (Good Samaritan) in Tegucigalpa, a facility that sells a variety of products, from custom jewelry to cleaning supplies. Their task was to further develop the production of bed sheets, sewn by women who have HIV/Aids. Students conducted a market analysis, compiled a consumer survey and developed a logo and market strategy.

“What was the most eye-opening for us was how great a cultural stigma there was against individuals who have the disease,” said Kate Novotny, business student and MU GBB president.

“Understanding the stereotype against this particular group was really key in developing this portion of the business,” added fellow student Greg Liebergen. “We had to be sensitive to keeping the women’s situation of having the disease anonymous, but yet let people know who the business was trying to help.”

Developing a logo and the name “Sewing Dreams,” the students added the tagline “Threads of Hope for People Affected by HIV,” explaining the purpose of the business while protecting it from any negative reaction.

While the trips have brought the students real-life application of the lessons taught within the classroom, the deeper impact on their faith is sinking in.

“I think it might take a couple of years for the students to truly feel the full impact of what they have learned or how it has applied their faith,” Dr. Heather Kohls, faculty coordinator of the group, said. “Many of them don’t realize just how much they have gained or what they have given to others through this experience.”

However, the initial impression of the MU GBB trip has already made its mark on the students, and they were able to appreciate a new confidence and perspective from it.

“Prior to leaving, there was some fear over whether I was prepared enough to address their problems,” Liebergen explained. “However, I was surprised to see how much of the classroom experience I had acquired was there, and that we were able to help.”

“I really came to see the universality of the church, and of our faith,” Novotny added. “Working with groups like CARITAS, I felt that I was really putting faith into action. We provided a real service, assisting these businesses with help that normally wouldn’t have been able to afford.”