(L-R): Hillary Calef, Katherine Saxby, Anissa Laval Kiyemba, Cindy Gifford Palermo, Lino Sanchez Siegel, Elizabeth Jurado, Joe Romak, Beau Hall, Crystal Cardona, and Ben Ishibashi. Photo provided

The Orinda Academy community raised over $2,300 to aid in Chilean earthquake relief efforts. The students responded to a heartfelt plea from Spanish teacher Elizabeth Jurado, a native Chilean, who showed the students pictures of the severe damage in Chile as a result of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Elizabeth also described her very emotional story of how she was unable to connect with her family for three long and worrisome days, before confirming Monday morning that they were all safe. Her sister, who was in the epicenter city of Concepcion, arrived safely at the parents home while Elizabeth was on the initial phone call from her parents. It was a very positive and emotional ending to three trying days.

The students were inspired to help their teacher and the country of Chile. The students, especially seniors like Ben Ishibashi and Crystal Cardona, mobilized to have a luncheon with donated and home cooked Chilean and ethnic food. Along with other donations from the Orinda Academy community the students raised over $2,300 to donate to Un Tech Para Chile (A Roof for Chile), an organization that builds small, temporary homes for $1,000 each. OA students raised enough for two homes to be built, which surpassed their goal of only one home. Many OA students and families pitched in to prepare authentic Chilean dishes, or dishes from their culture, which reflected the diverse population of Orinda Academy. The community service aspect was then additionally a learning experience as the students learned about the destruction of earthquakes and tsunamis, as well as the culture and geography of Chile. Most importantly, the students felt good about giving and the faculty were impressed about their mobilization, organization, and giving attitude.