The New York Times, Westchester Weekly
July 6, 2003
To the Editor:
Regardless of the motives Westchester teenagers have when traveling to foreign countries to perform summer community service, merely the fact that they are doing so should be highly recognized (“On a Mission, Far From Home,” June 29).
True, the trips are costly and these teenagers could be viewed as merely padding their résumés while providing fodder for coming college application essays. But the risks are real. And living without electricity and running water is a difficult sacrifice for any teenager — from Westchester or elsewhere.
One can only hope that the lessons and realities learned by these teenagers really do last a lifetime.
MARC B. ZAWEL
Purchase
Marc Zawel 