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A volunteer event that started in Los Angeles 14 years ago is transforming the lives of school children in communities across the the U.S. state of California. It is called Big Sunday.
At the border of the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Little Ethiopia and the city's Jewish community sits Carthay Center Elementary School. There's a unique atmosphere around the campus - and it's scented with a floral perfume. Fifth grade student Grace Lyde knew there was something different about this place when she first saw it.
"I thought of it as a whole other world it was so beautiful," said Lyde.
The beauty and perfume come from a lush garden at the school. It is the work of students, parents and area residents. Every year, during a Big Sunday, more is added to the garden. Last year, the fathers set up a chicken coop.
This year, volunteers are building a sun shade.
This garden is a living classroom for the students. Master gardener Herb Machleder taught the first science classes here.
"When I first came here, the children, they didn't know anything about bugs, they didn't know anything about plants they were really frightened of all the little creatures, and after a couple of years, they become very interested they watched the bees at work, they collect the insects," said Machleder.
Many of the students here come from immigrant families and English is not their first language. The garden has not only helped build their vocabulary, it has also improved their understanding of science. Three years ago, fifth grade students scored below 30 percent in their science proficiency. This year, some fifth graders are scoring more than 90 percent in science. Again, fifth grader Grace Lyde:
"It's a lot better now with the garden because we can interact. We don't just have to sit there and listen to a teacher, we can actually interact with different activities with what they're talking about," said Lyde.
Interacting sometimes means eating from the garden, says sixth grader, Mychael Carter.
"Sometimes you get to make salads from the garden with lettuce and other types of lettuce and it's very awesome. Whoever came up with this idea for the garden I give them a thumbs up," said Carter.
Teresa Dahl is one of the parents who came up with the idea for a garden. But she says it wouldn't have been possible without the Big Sunday volunteers.
"Once they come in the gate and put a plant in the ground or they rake behind the buildings or they pick up trash, they start to take ownership of their school and feel more like a community," said Dahl.
The purpose of the Big Sunday volunteer event is to create that feeling of community. And, says Dahl, it's a chance for people from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures to come together and work toward a common goal.
"You may have just arrived here from across the world you may have spent your whole life in Los Angeles," she said. "You may be a doctor at a major university you may be a day laborer. But when you're sweating in the garden together, it's a great equalizer."
The sweat and hard work in this garden is bearing fruit in the lives of the students here.
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