Grad finds new perspective
By Michael Johnson, Editor
A dream of traveling to Africa took shape over Christmas break last year for Alexis Longtin, a native of Riverdale. For some time she thought that being able to visit the exotic country and offer help over there would be a wonderful experience. She was right. Longtin is currently studying special education and specializing in emotional and behavioral disorders and specific learning disabilities at Minnesota State University of Moorhead. She is the daughter of Mary and Rick Longtin. She heard about the opportunity to volunteer from her cousin who introduced her to International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). Her cousin had done some previous work with IVHQ and wanted to go again. “I knew it was a great opportunity to travel the world, help people, and what made it even better is that I got to do it with family,” Longtin said. So Longtin, two of her cousins and another friend all loaded up for the experience that awaited them in Ghana, Africa. The trip to an orphanage in Dodowa called Worcsa meant no cell phones, no Facebook and no TV. The girls stepped in to help three other women with 73 children that stayed at the orphanage.
