Community service is rapidly becoming a hallmark of the NYU in Ghana experience. Since opening its doors last fall, the center has developed ongoing partnerships with nearly a dozen local NGO’s including the West Africa AIDS Foundation, New Horizon Special School for Persons with Intellectual Disability, The Osu Children's Home, The Longevity Project, and Habitat for Humanity.

Last fall, 15 students and staff members traveled over 100 miles from Accra to the village of Kibi, where they helped build the 40th of what will eventually be 105 new Habitat for Humanity homes. Volunteers mixed cement, molded bricks, and helped install concrete flooring. The one-day project, which was the first of a series, concluded with a luncheon sponsored by NYU in Ghana for both the volunteers and the local residents.

In addition to their current efforts, several students have launched fund-raising campaigns and Web-based projects to enable them to continue working with their agencies after they return to New York. Marcie Graham (CAS '07) chaired a New Year's Day fund-raising walk for The Longevity Project, a public health initiative designed to help increase the life expectancy of Ghanaians through education about wellness practices and disease prevention.

"When I get back to the States," said Graham, "I hope to serve as an ambassador of the Longevity Project for incoming NYU in Ghana students to encourage them to work with the organization during their time here."

Gloria Cahill, NYU's director of community service, recently visited the center to meet with agency directors and student volunteers.

"I was overwhelmed by the spirit and determination of the people working in these agencies," said Cahill. "They face tremendous challenges on a daily basis but never lose their passion and commitment. I was equally impressed by so many of our students who have chosen to make community service one of their personal priorities during their time in Ghana."