Chilean miner Mario Sepulveda, rescued after 69 days under the earth, has begun a charity to help rebuild Chile. On Thursday, his efforts brought him to Seton Hall University, where he met with students, clad in his signature poncho and carrying his miner's helmet.

Appearing with the Consul General of Chile, the Honorable Julio Fiol, and via Skype, Dr. Jean-Christophe Romagnoli, Sepulveda accepted a donation from the university on behalf of Miner’s Miracle, an organization that aids those who were affected by last year’s Chilean earthquake.

Founded by Sepulveda, the organization will soon turn attention to aiding survivors of the recent earthquake in Japan.

Dubbed “Super Mario,” for his effusive personality and comfort in front of the camera, Sepulveda said Miner’s Miracle has completed some 16 homes in the area of San Fernando. The homes are now inhabited by Chileans who were affected by the earthquake.

Sepulveda joked and took questions from the audience, speaking through a translator. After being rescued from the mine, said Sepulveda, he was “reborn,” which gave him the impetus and energy to do good for others.

Seton Hall University is developing a program to send students to Chile to help with building homes, said university officials. Sepulveda’s appearance at the university was sponsored by The Center for Catholic Studies, the G. K. Chesteron Institutute for Faith & Culture and The Chesterton Review, The Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute, and The Department of Public Relations and Marketing.

The university presented a donation to Miner’s Miracle, which will help the organization reach its goal of building 200 homes by the middle of this year, when Chile’s cold season begins. The homes are built, explained Sepulveda, by professional construction crews from Monday through Friday. On the weekends, volunteers join the professional builders.