ATLANTA - The Georgia State men's basketball team left Atlanta on Tuesday evening for South Africa with Samaritan's Feet on a mission of delivering hope and shoes to underprivileged children 17.5 hours via plane away from home.

Head coach Ron Hunter, making his sixth trip abroad with the organization and just second with his team, though first with Georgia State, was excited to get the trip underway.

"There is always a lot of planning that goes into a trip like this," commented Hunter just before leaving. "I think this will be a great trip for a lot of reasons, but most importantly, bringing hope to the lives of so many children in South Africa."

The Panthers 10-day trip began with dinner at Mary Macs Tea Room in Atlanta before departing Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport late in the evening. The squad will arrive in South Africa around 10 p.m. local time on Wednesday evening.

GeorgiaStateSports.com is planning daily video blogs, photos and diaries from players as Internet connections allow from South Africa.

About Samaritan's Feet: Samaritan's Feet and its team of global ambassadors have touched the lives of men, women and children across the United States and around the world in an effort to help the nearly 300 million people who go without shoes each day. Through this simple act of humility and servant-leadership, the Samaritan's Feet and their volunteers hope to express love, compassion and hope to children around the world.

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