Six Edmonds middle school students were among 12 seventh and eighth graders from Lynnwood’s Soundview School who completed a week-long service trip to the Dominican Republic through Orphanage Outreach during mid-winter break. Students walked over eight miles a day to and from the local K-5 elementary school to teach English and spend time with children in the local orphanage, according to Julie Meghji, Soundview’s community outreach coordinator.

Edmonds students participating were Angela Lee, Michael Krueger, Rahul Mathew, Singdhi Sokpo, Hannah Kutz and Sarah Kubie.

Soundview students’ Spanish skills were put to the test as they had to explain the English language lessons they were presenting to the Dominican Republic students, most of whom speak very little English. “The Dominican Republic students became very attached to Soundview’s students, and Soundview students thoroughly enjoyed their time spent with the children they met,” Meghji said.

The visit aligns with the service learning components of Soundview School’s International Baccalaureate curriculum, which “helps students experience and understand the world around them in a deeper way,” she added.

Orphanage Outreach was founded by executive director Tom Eklund and since 1995 more than 10,000 short-term volunteers have participated in their service programs. For more information, visit www.orphanage-outreach.org or www.soundview.org.