Breeana Laughlin, the 2011 New Zealand and Sydney Sustainable Business student blogger, writes:

Much of my initial experience with Kiwis is that they come across as worry-free. But New Zealand residents have had to deal with some very difficult situations in the past year. Their strength and hope is inspiring and is helping them get through this hard time.

More than one hundred and fifty people lost their lives in a 6.3 magnitude earthquake on February 22, 2011. Others lost their homes, lost their jobs and lost their way of life.

About 35,000 Christchurch residents left the city for a chance at solace and opportunity in other regions of New Zealand and beyond. Others decided to stay.

Although Lane and April Perry are originally from the United States, they chose to stay in Christchurch. They’ve had a tough time dealing with life after the devastating earthquake, but one of the ways they cope is by organizing service projects in the community. With their help, the students in my study abroad group were able to log more than 100 hours of community service in just one day. Although it was hard to see and hear about what people have had to go through, it was rewarding to know that we were able to help in the recovery process.

I admire people like Lane Perry who are passionate about helping people. His passion rubs off on the people around him, and their work really does make a difference.