Twelve seventh and eighth grade students from Soundview School spent their mid-winter break in the Dominican Republic, teaching English to elementary school students in a small town.

The students walked more than eight miles a day to and from the local elementary school to teach and spend time with children in the local orphanage. Their Spanish skills were put to the test because most of the students speak very little English.

“I now have a new found respect for teachers and their lesson planning. Every day we were told, ‘you guys are making a difference at these schools’. And by the end of the week I really felt I had. It’s great to see the effects of our teaching,” student Amelia Barr said.

All the other volunteers that were there that week were university students.

” This was the first time that Soundview School participated in this service program and it was such an incredible and life-changing experience for our students that I’m sure we’ll be doing it again,” Community Outreach Coordinator Julie Meghji said.