Framework of best practices for sustainable development as a model for short-term global brigades

Thousands of missionary and nondenominational brigades rebuild and revitalize Honduras villages annually. Yet, how many of these brigades have effective preparation plans for infrastructure development, health education, and follow-up procedures to maintain these projects? The purpose of this study is to compare the practices of two short-term public health brigades to rural Honduras, one with a religious mission and the other with nondenominational mission. Using a model of best practices as a framework for sustainable development, this descriptive study will consist of a comparative analysis using literature review, interviews with brigade participants, and program documents. Best practices include preparation, distinction between real needs and felt needs, implementation, and a follow up program to perpetuate proper health practices in these rural communities. The group mission statements, their abilities to implement social, economic, and environmental changes that are expected to enhance quality of life, along with the nature of their initiatives, and whether they created a follow-up program, will be taken into account to qualitatively assess whether these short-term brigades fit the public health model of best practices.