Enhancing lives
NDDHS students in the senior transportation technology class have been working on repairing a donated vehicle to give to a Syrian refugee family that relocated to North Dundas this winter.    Courtesy photo

Courtesy photo

CHESTERVILLE – The students at North Dundas District High School (NDDHS) have embarked on a significant community project intended to enhance the lives of a Syrian refugee family that has settled in the community.

The family of five relocated to Winchester in mid-February and the three children have been enrolled in two Upper Canada District School Board schools — NDDHS and Winchester Public School.

Working with the Dundas Coalition for Refugee Support to coordinate the project, the students in the senior transportation technology class at NDDHS are now repairing a donated vehicle to give to the Syrian family.

This is a joint effort between the school, the coalition and some businesses in the community.

“The community involvement is important. It’s hard to do it without them. If they cover the costs and we do the labour, it works out really well,” explained Andrew Whitton, the teacher spearheading the project. “The students are learning how to apply their skills that they have learned.”

“I think it’s a great thing we are doing this because they came here with really nothing and it’s good to give something back to them when they are coming into our community and don’t really know anyone. It opens up new doors for them, and for us too,” said Grade 12 student Nathan Boucher.