SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - The pictures could be from any American Classroom, but they were taken thousands of miles away in the Dominican Republic.

The country is struggling to develop and was the destination for several FGCU Students and Faculty wanting to make an impact.

"There is a lot of need for these kids and their families," said Joelle Robles.

Work in the country is hard to find.

Gas is $6 a gallon and basic needs go unmet.

"The street environment is a competitive environment, where kids have to be strong, kids have to be ruthless kids are not allowed the opportunity to be children," said Associate Professor Richard Coughlin.

FGCU students and faculty made their 8th trip to the country.

They stayed for a week, helping kids cope with life on the streets and joining a non-profit group called Accion Callejera...literally meaning...street action.

"It's a place for them to really be kids and have fun," said Robles.

It's important to these American students, who learned life for these young children is very different from their own childhood.

"There would be a really nice structure nice decent looking house, next to a third world shack if you will, like something you would see on the cover of the magazine," said Chris Brown.

And while the students don't expect to change the world in a week, they do expect to make a difference.

"It's the idea that all the little things matter, it's true," said Brown.

The group raised money for the trip by car washes and even house cleaning.

If you'd like to help with next year's trip, email JLRobles@eagle.fgcu.edu.