Trumansburg couple seeks funds for Peru earthquake relief

A Catholic couple from Tompkins County is requesting donations to aid earthquake-relief efforts in northern Peru where they once served in the Peace Corps.

On Nov. 28, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake destroyed most of the small farming village of La Jalca — located in the upper Amazon basin — where Brian and Sarah Liberatore resided for more than two years. Among the destroyed structures was a historic tower of the Church of La Jalca Grande. The church was built in the 16th century and serves as “the cultural center of the community,” according to Brian Liberatore.

He noted that area residents are extremely poor and in need of financial support to rebuild their homes and address the extreme church damage. Contributions can be made by visiting https://gofund.me/c6b724df.

Brian and Sarah Liberatore formerly belonged to Sacred Heart Parish in Auburn and served for several years in the Peace Corps. They moved to Trumansburg from Colorado a year ago. During their time in Peru, they worked with community leaders to improve the quality of drinking water, cut indoor air pollution and preserve 72 square miles of cloud forests.