Students in Casey Burrahm’s eighth grade history classes translated a recent class assignment into a service project for students at another school. Webb’s 8th graders have been reading “A Long Walk to Water” by Linda Sue Park, a book about a Sudanese boy and the struggles that he faces in war-torn Sudan in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As part of the account, he escapes Sudan and ends up in a refugee camp. Through this camp, he is able to make his way to America. After getting established in America with college and a job, Salva was able to give back to his native country by starting a nonprofit that drilled water wells for Sudan so that the citizens could have clean water.

“I wanted our students to do something to give back to our community and those in need,” said Burrahm. “We partnered with Tusculum Elementary School in Nolensville, Tenn., a school that benefited from a previous Webb project. Jesseca Glover ’09, daughter of Cheryl Khan, Webb assistant to the head of school, teaches at the school.

.“It's been very heartwarming and rewarding to see our students bring in donations of clothing as well as monetary donations for this project,” Burrahm explained. “One student gave me money and said, ‘This was for me to go downtown to get ice cream, but the kids need things more than I need ice cream.’ I think it is important for children to experience giving to others, and it helps them realize how blessed they are.”