Togo Trip
May 2009

"Having just graduated from Hofstra this past May, I can easily say this experience was truly unforgettable and was the perfect conclusion to an incredible four years at Hofstra."

- Christina Martin

"The recent trip the CCE took to the countries of Togo and Ghana were truly transformational. The entire experience shook the world I thought I knew and broadened my spectrum of how I view the world. No longer is the term 'Lesser Developed Country' a term I read about in textbooks. I now know some of the struggles facing an LDC and can associate the term with more than just a definition. When I hear the word Africa I don’t think of pictures in National Geographic, but the friends I made while I was there and the experiences we shared as collaborative equals. The trip made my world a whole lot more horizontal than it was before."

- Anthony Lucci

"Working with Plan International was as inspiring as it was enlightening. I never considered the level of detail organizations put into development programs until this opportunity. I think Plan has the right motive to execute real change in places such as Togo and Ghana."

- Corey Abisdid

"Togo was a mind-opening experience. The trip gave me new perspective on how to be grateful for the things I have. Togo is a poor nation and people are constantly trying to sell whatever product they have or can make. Regardless of high unemployment, Togolese people are used to their style of living without realizing they could live better. The schools we visited were so grateful for the school supplies we provided. I saw kids with smiles from ear to ear, and teachers humbled by our actions. I hope in the future they continue to value education and work on building a better infrastructure in Togo. I thank the Center for Civic Engagement and Hofstra University for bringing me back to reality and teach me that even the little things should not be taken for granted."

- Jessica Mendoza

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