Rebuild New Orleans

Not one!

Actually, one time we did have this Latin American Studies fundraiser, which sorta counted as “community-service credit” (a graduation requirement), and it basically was one afternoon where I walked around a park wearing a sign advertising smoothies at our class’s booth.

That sure was a fun day though, and since there was a live band playing at a park, I danced along wearing that sign 8-)

Boy, lemme tell ya! I suuure got a lot of pics taken of me that day!!

Well ,given the circumstances with J and the battle, the trip to work in America is on hold.
It’s a shame, especilly after all the hard work into gaining the Visa and arranging work with NOLA.

Down but not out.
We’ll see about it this time next year.

Go AmeriCorps NCCC!

...2 months after Katrina struck.

Since then we’ve returned several times, sometimes just for a day as we travel to or from Baton Rouge (my husband’s hometown), sometimes for a long weekend, as in the case of JazzFest.

It’s a little better every time. Not much, but a little. But the majority of houses look today like they did in the weeks after the levees broke: full of decay and mold, the spraypaint on the doors and walls telling the stories of those who survived, and those who didn’t.

New Orleans was always a city full of ghosts. Today, much of New Orleans is a ghost town. Tourists focus on the French Quarter and marvel at New Orleans’ recovery, not realizing that the Quarter was never under water. They don’t see Midcity or Lakeview or the 9th Ward or New Orleans East.

I wonder if the survivors are ever coming back to reclaim their homes, or if they’ve left forever. They’ve set up new homes, new lives in new cities. It’s not the same. It’ll never be the same. And for every one that doesn’t return, that’s one piece of New Orleans history, New Orleans culture, New Orleans’ HEART that is missing.

The structures that were destroyed can be rebuilt, with enough time and enough money. But how do you rebuild New Orleans’ heart?

I want to be a part of this in some way. I dunno if I will ever go back, but I want to be part of it…even if it’s just by remembering her and praying for her. New Orleans is the most lovely city on Earth. For me.

I went down there October 2006. The place is still a mess.

I basically registered and jumped into a caravan (of which I knew absolutely no one) and spent time gutting houses for those that could not afford to pay.

It was quite the experience.

I love that city.

This is one thing that is totally worth it. Everyone needs to go, you wont be sorry. I was down for eight months and i really felt great about myself for helping out that long. every house you rebuild, is someones life that you are rebuilding.
We need to forget about destroying Iraq, and start Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

This needs to be done. I can’t imagine my city being swept away. My home being destroyed. The things I possess and the places I loved to go, lost forever. I intend to spent my money that I earnt over the summer, on a ticket to America. I will go to New Orleans and help with Habit for Humanity. I have already contacted a lady from there who has provided me with the details. All I need to do is save up some more, and wait till the new year, when I can go…..I need to do this. Only for me, but for those who need it.

CARPE DIEM

...I want to go back.
...I need to go back.