Service learning is a key component of Trinity-Pawling’s project-based curriculum. By participating in community service projects near and far, students are given the opportunity to engage with the world around them and make a tangible and positive impact. At the heart of Trinity-Pawling’s service learning program is a focus on empathy. It’s about making an effort to go outside of ourselves and understand the other — be it a person, culture, or situation.
On March 4th, as Spring Break began, a group of Trinity-Pawling students and faculty and a group from Westover School embarked together on a week-long service trip to the Dominican Republic, hosted by Bridges to Community. Bridges to Community is an international nonprofit organization that engages in sustainable long-term community development projects in developing countries.
For six days, the Trinity-Pawling/Westover group worked in a village in La Guama. Their main project was building a home for a local resident, Mareleida, and her family. In just one week, they were able to stand in front of the almost-completed home, just waiting for the roof and small finishing touches. Perhaps the best finishing touch of all — before packing up their tools, each team member wrote a message to Mareleida’s family and placed it into the walls, wishing them happiness in their new home.
“I am really proud of the boys for diving into a new experience with open minds and positive energy,” shared Spanish Teacher Liz Conti, one of the faculty members on the trip. “Physically, we built a house in La Guama, but we also impacted the community in many other ways. The boys built a rapport among the members of the community, practiced the language, tried new foods, played baseball with the children, danced with the locals, and truly demonstrated what it means to be a global citizen. It was an incredible experience.”
Rodger Ecker ’20 shares his experience on the service trip and the lasting impact it left on him: “Traveling to rural Dominican Republic, I learned what it was like to live outside of the comforts of home, appreciate people’s connection to the environment, and recognize the many opportunities that the US offers. I gained insight into just how fortunate we are to have all our basic needs taken care of and to have endless opportunities available to us. The entire experience made me reevaluate what I want to do in life. I always knew that I wanted to be a doctor and I was originally drawn to trauma and the ER. But after this trip, I am inspired to study international relations along with medical sciences and broaden the service I will give. I will use the knowledge and experience that an American college and medical school will give me to help those who may not have access to healthcare.”
by Emma Christiantelli