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How do you explain the destruction and human suffering caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti?  It's tough enough for adults to make sense of, so it must have been especially challenging for Fairmont teacher Brandie Foeldi when she returned to school the day after the earthquake to a room full of inquisitive kindergarteners.

Together with questions about geology, "What are earthquakes?" and geography, "Where is Haiti?" were sincere concerns about how her kindergarteners could help.  "We discussed the devastation as a class and one of the students came up with the idea to have a bake sale here at school and send the money to Haiti," said Foeldi.

Foeldi sent an email to her students' parents requesting homemade baked goods for the sale on January 21.  Parents responded with cupcakes, cookies, loaves of bread, muffins—an impressive spread of tempting treats.  When the table of goodies was gone, the class pitched in to count the donations and discovered they had raised a total of $800.

"The turnout was incredible," said Foeldi.  "We asked for $1 donation for a goodie, but people were giving us $5, $10 even $20.  When we counted and discovered we had $800, the class was in shock.  The kids could not believe that the little items they brought in made that much money."

After some help from a student's mom researching children's charities, the class decided to split their donation between Food and Meds and Global Colors.  The kids were able to witness first hand the fruits of their compassion and generosity when the director of Global Colors, Barton Brooks, sent in a video showing their donation going to help rebuild a school in Haiti.

Foeldi managed to turn a tragic natural disaster into a learning opportunity for her students.  "The kids learned about the long "A" in "bake" and "sale" and had some hands on practice in counting too," she said.  Undoubtedly, the most important lesson the kids took away from their bake sale experience was how a small act of compassion can make a huge difference. 

Foeldi's class has plans to continue supporting Haitian students and will be holding a school supplies drive this spring.  To find out more, contact Fairmont Private Schools' Anaheim Hills campus at (714) 693-3812.