Every African Road Learning Trip provides a first-hand learning experience, full of delight and new friendships, serious stories and reflection, and lots of laughter. We get to hear from real people who inspire us and witness the evidence of what steady, thoughtful support of excellent local leaders can make possible.
The 2025 Learning Trip team traveled to Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar (and added a fabulous safari.) Two families, from Oregon and from California, joined African Road staff, Portia and Kelly, to form what came to be fondly known as ‘Team Dodo’. This team was small but mighty and was a whole lot of fun. Each team member brought their heart, their good questions, and an ‘all in’ attitude to the meaningful adventure.
After returning home, the team was invited to send a reflection on their experience. Enjoy hearing from ‘Team Dodo’:
The Sandgren Family
Diana (mom to Cass):
When I first heard of the African Road Learning Trip, I told my husband that we needed to go with our daughter before she graduated from high school, to show her a different perspective. Well, we made it happen, and the impact that it had on all of us is hard to put into words.
“Life Changing” seems to be a common theme; it is most accurate. Each and every person we met, every story we heard, every handshake, every hug, every smile – was so genuine. Amazing people building incredible things together. This trip was an emotional journey & it was pure Love!
Cassidy (age 16):
The Learning Trip experience was truly life-changing. While exploring both Rwanda and Tanzania, the things I’ve learned, as well as the people I met, really created a new perspective for me. I’m more than grateful to have been able to go on the trip we went on with African Road, and I would do it over and over again.
Pete (dad to Cass):
Our African Road Learning Trip experience was very rewarding. Meeting each of the Changemakers in person (Steven, Peninah, Philbert, David, Consoler, Eliya, Evariste, and his wife, Grace) was great – each of them is incredibly impressive.
Visiting Togetherness (in Rwanda) and New Hope for Girls (Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) was fun and rewarding. These kids now have a chance to thrive. You can feel the positive energy.
Seeing in person the reconciliation process in Rwanda via Philbert was very impressive – such a hard but very important process in Rwanda moving forward (and a dinner party and dancing at Philbert’s house was an added treat.)
Upon hearing the success stories of the women of Elimika (VICOBA Plus group in Tanzania), you could feel their pride in having their own small business and revenue stream. Their support of each other is beautiful as well.
Getting a feel for Rwanda and Tanzania was a great experience. Swimming with Evariste and Grace from Burundi in Zanzibar was a lot of fun too. I could go on and on. Oh, and the safari at Akagera Park – WOW!
Thank you, Kelly and Portia, for being amazing people and great travel partners/guides.
A Learning Trip with African Road is not to be missed!
Andrea & Henry
Andrea (Henry’s grandmother- ‘Bibi’):
African Road has opened my grandson’s eyes and my eyes to a part of the world that we knew little about. Whatever preconceptions we may have had about participating in a Learning Trip blew them out of the water.
Although all of the Changemaker’s programs are each very unique and specific to meet a certain need, the thing they do have in common is that they are locally created and driven. Each and every program changes the lives of its participants in positive ways, which then improves the lives of their entire families. I was very impressed by how VICOBA has made such a positive impact on the women’s lives by encouraging them to have a “can-do” attitude and figure out for themselves ways to improve their situation. As they say, “it’s not about what they don’t have, it’s how to best use what they do have”.
The pride in each one of these businesswomen radiates!!
I encourage everyone to go on an African Road Learning Trip. You will meet incredible people with an even more incredible view on life. It just might make your life more incredible, too!
Henry (age 18, first international trip)
My learning trip was a once in a life time experience. Before this trip, I could never really picture Africa because it seemed like it would be so different from my home, but connecting with the people there really made me feel more comfortable than I thought I would. This Learning Trip showed me, that being somewhere very different from home is not a bad thing. It really opened my eyes to the larger world and gave me the opportunity to have so many new experiences. I got to see so many great sites and meet so many incredible people.
Thank you, Team Dodo, for being an amazing team and for sharing your experience with others. This is how the story grows!