Community
Volunteer Work
Installing clean water filters across Central America with CRU at UF and Filter of Hope — serving communities from Guatemala to Costa Rica.
CRU at the University of Florida × Filter of Hope
Since 2020, Branden Pearson has partnered with CRU at the University of Florida and the nonprofit Filter of Hope to bring clean water to families in rural Central America. What began as a single trip to Guatemala has grown into an annual leadership commitment, with Branden serving as Trip Leader for four consecutive years.
Service Trip Timeline
Led a team of University of Florida students to install water filters in rural communities in Costa Rica, providing access to clean drinking water for families without reliable filtration.
Organized and led a service trip to El Salvador, coordinating logistics, student preparation, and on-the-ground filter installation with local community partners.
Returned to Panama as a trip leader, scaling the impact of the 2022 inaugural trip and deepening relationships with local communities and Filter of Hope partners.
Led the inaugural CRU at UF / Filter of Hope Panama trip, building the program from the ground up and establishing the framework for future service travel.
Traveled to Guatemala as a participant to install water filters in rural homes without access to clean drinking water — the experience that sparked a multi-year commitment to service travel.
About Filter of Hope
Filter of Hope is a nonprofit organization providing ceramic water filters to communities without access to clean water. Each filter lasts up to 20 years and provides a family with safe drinking water every day — a simple technology with life-changing impact.
Learn About Filter of Hope ↗Interested in Service?
Reach out to Branden to learn more about the Filter of Hope program or CRU at the University of Florida's service travel opportunities.
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