In a strange turn of events students at the school happened to be studying Haiti on Monday hours before the quake hit on Tuesday. When students learned of the devastation they could not believe their ears.
5th graders Seth Johnsen, Emma Fadgen and Erika Waldau were studying the history of Haiti in class on Monday. Around noon on Tuesday that lesson would forever be engrained in their 11-year old minds.
"I care about it more now, because at first I just brushed it off and now I take it in and pray for them," disclaimed Waldau.
Johnsen said, "I think it's pretty upsetting to see them all there with no homes now and their families buried."
This Haitian song about Jesus is one of only a few written in English. Friday, nearly 200 4th, 5th and 6th graders from Fresno Christian school listened as guest lecturer Dorina Lazo-Gilmore spoke about her mission to Haiti this past summer. She showed these pictures of happier times.
Lazo-Gilmore said, "What I would like them to come away with just some faces of kids, regular kids that live in Haiti and just a connection with them."
The three students we spoke with said they are already paying more attention to what's going on by watching the news and following the developments in Haiti online.
Fadgen said: "I found out about a little two year old ... Red Justin Houston. He collapsed in a building and he made it alive. I thought god was sure there to protect them." Oddly enough Friday's lesson and lecture was planned months ago but after the tragedy teachers decided it was an opportunity to teach about community service and prayer.
"I think I'll remember to be greatful whenever I get something," said Johnsen. His friend Fadgen agreed. "I'm really the same. To be grateful that we have stuff and to give more to others."
And these students do plan on giving. Many have written 'encouragement' cards to the children in Haiti. Some are even donating toothpaste, soap and deodorant to volunteers helping out.
