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REPULSE BAY - A group of students at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay is benefiting from the generosity of a southerner for the second time this school year.

Chris Markwick began volunteering his time to help students gain an understanding of basic engine mechanics while visiting a friend in Repulse this past fall.

Students Devin Aviugana, Kenny Sivanertok, Jimmy Jr. Kopak and Mark Tegumiar, clockwise from left, learn basic mechanics from instructor Chris Markwick, centre, at Tusarvik school in Repulse Bay earlier this month. - photo courtesy of Leonie Aissaoui

The students took to the instruction immediately and the program became a big hit.

School principal Leonie Aissaoui couldn't believe it when she found out Markwick had been hired by the hamlet and was returning to Repulse.

She said with extracurricular funding now so hard to come by, every additional program the school can offer is a tremendous boost to both the learning environment and school spirit.

"Chris actually took a type of leave from his job in the south to come here and I was very, very happy to learn he was open to continuing his work with the students," said Aissaoui.

"He volunteers his time at no cost to the school.

"He puts in two hours almost every evening with them, and another four on Saturday.

"We've kept the number of students learning from him at a reasonably low number because he's been so good to us and we don't want overwhelm him."

Markwick uses an old motor the group salvaged in the community to instruct the students, and people bring in their machines to have him and the students work on them.

Aissaoui said it's a tremendous benefit for young students to learn the skills to take care of their machines and those of friends and family members.

"Most people here learn by working on their own machines, and boys love to learn how to work on their own snowmobile or Honda.

"I love being able to have a course like this at the school, and every little thing the kids get here is just wonderful.

"We really appreciate everything Chris has been able to do for us."