NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifePre-K to 8Service
Darlington aids in tsunami relief
Jan 5, 2005 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Junior Narin Limlenglert was eating breakfast with a friend in his hometown of Chiangmai, Thailand, when he felt the Indian Ocean earthquake on Dec. 26. Miles away in Jakarta, Indonesia, sophomore Natasha Suryo watched as giant trees trembled and coconuts shook.
This earthquake, which registered at a magnitude of 9.0, would trigger massive tsunamis that would devastate the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries with waves of up to 50 feet high, killing more than 145,000.
“This should not happen in Thailand,” said Limlenglert. Suryo echoed his sentiments. “I feel very sorry for my country,” she said.
With 25 Thai alumni, four current Thai students and two Indonesians, Darlington School has responded to the tragedy by coming together as a community to aid in relief efforts.
The International Club sponsored a fundraiser during all lunch periods through Jan. 6, and raised $2,279.10 for the American Red Cross. Additionally, a Charity Texas Hold'em Tournament held Jan. 9, in the Bergen House raised $115 for tsunami victims. Nineteen students and two faculty members participated.
The Lower School also implemented a fundraiser, called “Children Can Be Instruments of Change,” in which change was collected from students and donated to the American Red Cross. During the collection period, Jan. 10 through 14, $1,450 was raised.
According to Assistant Principal Diane Lumpkin, the students came up with many unique ways to raise money. "Children can make a tremendous difference in the lives of other children,” she said. “By being a part of this global community service project, Lower School students are making the world a better place in which to live.”
The Middle School has come up with a different way of aiding tsunami victims. Through Jan. 17, students collected pencils, pens, notebook paper and other school supplies to help children in Sri Lanka.
“We read in the Rome News-Tribune about Viduranga Jayarahna, a businessman in Rome who is from Sri Lanka. He asked Romans to help his native country by donating money, school supplies, clothes, shoes, computers, medical supplies, etc.,” said Nancy Ivester, English teacher.
The Middle School also collected $500 in monetary donations, which was given to First Baptist Church of Rome. "They raised $100,000 in one week to buy water filtration machines and water tanks," said Ivester.
According to Ivester, the Middle School tries to do a community service project each month. “Sometimes we do more than one,” she said. “When a tragedy hits another part of the world, it is an opportunity for us as teachers to try to help the students understand what is happening, where it is happening and to encourage them to share what they have with those who are in need.”
This earthquake, which registered at a magnitude of 9.0, would trigger massive tsunamis that would devastate the shores of Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other countries with waves of up to 50 feet high, killing more than 145,000.
“This should not happen in Thailand,” said Limlenglert. Suryo echoed his sentiments. “I feel very sorry for my country,” she said.
With 25 Thai alumni, four current Thai students and two Indonesians, Darlington School has responded to the tragedy by coming together as a community to aid in relief efforts.
The International Club sponsored a fundraiser during all lunch periods through Jan. 6, and raised $2,279.10 for the American Red Cross. Additionally, a Charity Texas Hold'em Tournament held Jan. 9, in the Bergen House raised $115 for tsunami victims. Nineteen students and two faculty members participated.
The Lower School also implemented a fundraiser, called “Children Can Be Instruments of Change,” in which change was collected from students and donated to the American Red Cross. During the collection period, Jan. 10 through 14, $1,450 was raised.
According to Assistant Principal Diane Lumpkin, the students came up with many unique ways to raise money. "Children can make a tremendous difference in the lives of other children,” she said. “By being a part of this global community service project, Lower School students are making the world a better place in which to live.”
The Middle School has come up with a different way of aiding tsunami victims. Through Jan. 17, students collected pencils, pens, notebook paper and other school supplies to help children in Sri Lanka.
“We read in the Rome News-Tribune about Viduranga Jayarahna, a businessman in Rome who is from Sri Lanka. He asked Romans to help his native country by donating money, school supplies, clothes, shoes, computers, medical supplies, etc.,” said Nancy Ivester, English teacher.
The Middle School also collected $500 in monetary donations, which was given to First Baptist Church of Rome. "They raised $100,000 in one week to buy water filtration machines and water tanks," said Ivester.
According to Ivester, the Middle School tries to do a community service project each month. “Sometimes we do more than one,” she said. “When a tragedy hits another part of the world, it is an opportunity for us as teachers to try to help the students understand what is happening, where it is happening and to encourage them to share what they have with those who are in need.”
