Saturday, February 14, 2009

New Orleans

While doing service in Athens is an awesome way to learn more about the community and the people who live in it, going other places to volunteer is a way you can teach the community something new. One way to do this is to arrange a service trip that takes you outside of your comfort zone and into a whole new place.

It all started after Hurricane Katrina. There was devastation, loss and bureaucratic excuses plaguing New Orleans. The quote by Margaret Mead pretty perfectly summarizes the situation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." In the absence of a strong force to cure the problems that were endlessly piling up, individuals and small groups from all around the world came together to fill in the gap.

A group of APhiOers took the opportunity to help out just a few months after the hurricane. They drove through the streets that were littered with debris, houses that slanted at strange angles and went to work with the St. Bernard Project gutting houses. Since that initial trip, we have organized five more trips to go down and volunteer over a break. I have participated in two such trips. Every time we come back with new experineces and new life lessons that overwhelm us and empower us to do more.




The first time I went down, our group of fifteen people split up and worked on three separate sites. Two groups put up dry wall and our group put in floors, painted molding and put in doors. I've done little more than hold a hammer for my dad prior to going on this trip, and suddenly I was drilling and using power tools. My second trip (this past winter break), we did mold remediation for a house that was gutted and then sealed for three years. Let's just say damp wood, warm summers and insects do not lead to healthy living conditions.


The satisfaction of bringing a family one step closer to getting back into their was almost as motivating as the stories we heard from residents. They shared personal stories and experiences and welcomed us whole-heartedly into the unique community that can only be found in New Orleans.

We will continue to go back until they cease to need our help and, even after that, we will probably go down to visit the families that have accepted us into their hearts. This spring break I'm going again and the summer and winter are always good opportunities to go back as well. If you'd like to join us (or arrange your own trip) let me know and I can get you the contact information. Also visit stbernardproject.org.

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