Helping Hands Overseas — Division Avenue Student Volunteers Abroad

Division Avenue High School student Ryan Dwyer took his passion for volunteering to the Bateyes region of the Dominican Republic.

During spring break, Dwyer volunteered with the nonprofit group Tuesday’s Children Helping Heals, which sent him to the impoverished village of Monte Coca. During his visit, Dwyer assisted with construction projects, including the building of a house and latrine, laying cement on a dirt floor and roofing.

Dwyer said that his Spanish skills learned in Levittown assisted with communication and helped him make friends with the villagers. He was also able to experience Easter celebrations during Dominican Republic’s Holy Week, when the villagers brought the volunteers a traditional dessert and played games, Bachata dance music and basketball.

“In the end, the connections I made with the people of Monte Coca and with my peers in my group left a lasting effect on the way I perceive the world,” said Dwyer.

Photo: Levittown School District