“I have over 70 first cousins, and I am just as close with them as I am with my own brothers and sisters,” she said.

Family and faith were values discussed Wednesday among members of the Chaldean American Student Association, or CASA, chapter at MSU, which debuted on campus in 2006.

In two years, CASA membership increased from eight to about 50, and the organization will continue to grow with the increasing presence of Chaldean students at MSU, said Fabian Gammo, president of the group.

Gammo said because there finally are enough participants, the group can begin doing more volunteer work and help raise money for a refugee program through the Chaldean Federation of America, which provides displaced Chaldeans from Iraq with the necessities to survive.

“Lots of families have had to move to other Middle Eastern countries because of the war and they have no food or clothing,” he said. “We want to help them. Those are our people back home.”

Biochemistry freshman Ruba Jiddou said one reason she chose to join CASA was the group’s fundraising efforts.

“My dad’s side of the family lives in Iraq, so this directly affects my family,” she said.

Jiddou’s lack of affiliation with other Chaldean students growing up is the other reason she decided to become involved.

“I’ve never been friends with many Chaldeans,” she said. “I always had a lot of American friends, and being part of CASA allows me to socialize with people who are similar to me.”

In addition to their work for the refugee program, the group also volunteers at the Boys & Girls Club of Lansing to set an example for 5- to 12-year-olds and help with homework and arts and crafts, Atisha said.

Gammo said he is proud of the ground the organization is breaking by providing services and raising money for those in need, as well as getting Chaldean students together to celebrate and learn about their culture.

“Culture is a really important part of being Chaldean,” Gammo said.

“Being able to share that culture with people who don’t know a lot about it is important.”