The Fall of a Great City… January 19, 2008

Not surprisingly, my last 24 hours were a bit sad. As my car pulled away from our work site one last time, I realized that I will miss all my new friends immensely. The community that has been forged at F.I.S.H. camp however, will stand the test of time. And, so will the images of the “new” New Orleans that remain fresh in my mind. This is for sure.

Over the last two years, I’ve watched with a blind eye at all the “progress” that has taken place in New Orleans and all along I’ve thought that things were getting better, not really knowing what “better” was. What I do know now is that the only thing that seems to be better is my perception of the living standards and mental conditions of the people still living there. And, I don’t remember the last time that I was this disappointed. It seems like there is no hope of a better future in the eyes of many locals. These once vibrant parishes look more like ghost towns.

Beginning in the days leading up to August 29th, 2005, the people that left New Orleans to avoid Hurricane Katrina have not come back. And, I don’t see them turning around any time soon. And, why should they? These people that made New Orleans their home over the last thirty, fourty, or fifty years have only been forgotten when they needed the American people’s help the most. The media no longer cares as there are “better” stories to report on. Really? Better stories than ones where people — the American people — are trying to rebuild their lives from the ashes they once called home? Stories of hope about a greater future? Stories of sorrow about loved ones lost? No, there are no better stories than the ones in New Orleans. Everyone just needs to open their hearts to see the story come to life.

I heard a few months back that the war in Iraq costs America $1B dollars a day. Wow! That’s a lot of money for a war that is being fought so the people of Iraq can have a better future. To spread democracy (thanks President Bush) to more parts of the world. But, what about the Americans that need help? The ones that are here at home? That have paid their taxes to the state and federal government all their lives, only to be denied assistance from their government when they need it the most. These same politicians that divert hard earned taxpayers money overseas instead of helping those at home, and continue to increase their own salaries every year so they can live more comfortable lives!

Yes, your right. I am angry. The pace of recovery here in New Orleans is ridiculous. There is virtually no change since 2005 in the lower 9th ward where I’ve been working the last week. Homes remain gutted and mutilated on every street and every corner. And, I hear that FEMA now wants all their trailers returned from the homeowners that still haven’t been able to move back into their homes. Really?! Tell me why FEMA needs them back when these are the people that need it the most.

And what about the businesses that New Orleans was built around? Well, they have no reason to reopen or return when there are no customers. So, they’ve kept their doors shut or have moved to other states. And the musicians that once gave New Orleans the vibrant culture we all loved? They’ve all but disappeared. And this is all okay to you, America?

I’ve had the honor to spend the last week with 40 students from The College of New Jersey. These students, all Bonner Scholars, have given their own time and energy to try to make an impact with what little resources they have. They have been tremendous. All is all, we worked on six homes through the help of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program. And, they did well. Only time will tell what becomes of New Orleans. But, if there is not more help like this from more people and the federal government, New Orleans will never be the same. This I can promise.

Harpreet

B-B-Q Time! January 17, 2008

Today was an amazing day at my work site (St. Rock). Our home-owners Kenneth and Lynette decided to B-B-Q for us! It was so much fun to be able to interact with them over a southern lunch. The food was amazing! They made us hot dogs and hamburgers with Cajun sauce, chili, beans, b-b-q chicken, and ribs! We talked about everything over lunch…ranging from their recent marriage to Katrina to Mardi Gras. They were so kind-hearted and sweet to us. Everyone was smiling and laughing the entire time. Being able to spend one on one time with Kenneth and Lynette made re-modeling their home worth so much more. They are such good people with hearts full of endless love and they deserve the best. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to be a part of this stage in their life.

 -Kimberly Critelli-

A homeowner’s presentation

Today after dinner, one of the homwowners came in to talk to us and it was extremely wonderful to hear everything she had to say regarding her recovery from hurricane katrina. It was also suprising to me to know that though the media still doesnt followup with the hurricane, that people are still living with this everyday of their lives. I loved her presentation and how she was very open to answering questions. In addition to the many things she had lost due to the hurricane, i felt as though she emphasized more about losing the accessibility of her family members that she had before. As she talked about her life after katrina, it was as if i could feel her emotions and see through her eyes everything she has endured and she still fights to overcome. Not only did i admire her genuine spirit about her entire experience, but i also loved how she focused on her christian faith nad how that was her main motivation in her perseverence.

-Nichole Emele

Day Five – New Orleans (rainy day) – Karina Lopez January 16, 2008

New Orleans. Before coming here I remember the images from the news papers, and the television. Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, leaving thousands without their homes, their lifestyle, and for some, their lives. I was prepared to see devastation but instead I found a ghost town. The documentary by Spike Lee we watched before coming here revealed views to me that I wasn’t aware of before. Political injustice, economic disparities and many other fall into this list. I was hoping that our help would make a difference but in reality this city needs a lot more than the reconstruction of a handful of houses. Today, January 16, day 5 of our trip, turned out to be a disappointment for me. Our site duties were canceled due to bad weather. Instead, we are using the day to plan for the spring semester as well as to reflect on our experiences here thus far. Yesterday the Director of the Department of Health of New Orleans, Steven, spoke to us about post-Katrina issues. I was appalled when he told us that only 200 million dollars were allotted to New Orleans out of the 116 billion total given for the hurricane. He also explained how several systems worked, such as what standards were used to disperse health insurance and FEMA trailers. I’m shocked -in all honesty the problem isn’t rebuilding the homes for Katrina victims, in my opinion the problem lies behind the scenes within the hands of our federal government. One of the things I believe is ridiculous is the fact that people were actually allowed to live in high risk areas like the lower 9^th ward which had already had a similar incident occur in the 1960’s. The government has always been a fan of restricting people, giving them few options and alternatives to choose from. I don’t understand why this wasn’t one of those cases. The pink simulations of houses that now stand in place of the homes that once were are signs of hope for many home owners. I feel as if the solutions provided are only temporary relief. The citizens of New Orleans are just waiting for the next hurricane to come and once again get swept off their feet. I don’t know what the solution is but there has to be one. Everything is fixable. Tonight we are going to have the honor to have one of the homeowners come to speak to us about her experience with Katrina and her current struggle. She seems very happy to have the opportunity to speak to us and I feel very privileged to be here to listen to her story. I don’t know how she manages to smile so frequently. Although two years have passed, I don’t know how I would be able to cope with the ruins of my home still standing, yet to be repaired.

Andrew Amadeo – conversation with homeowner

During my time with working on a house, I stopped shortly to speak with the homeowner.  During this conversation, I was deeply affected by her words.  She spoke with my group and I and told us her story about Hurricane Katrina.  She said words and phrases like “the end of the world,” and “family members missing” that I could not imagine having to deal with.  Her son stayed at her house expecting it to be another routine Hurricane that rained for quite some time and had strong winds, but never impacted New Orleans enough for a full-out evacuation.  Shortly into the Hurricane, he knew that it wasn’t like the ones that he was accustomed to and was forced to get onto his roof and spend the next few days on top of the roof in order to survive.  Then she spoke about the power of love and how lucky she was to meet up with him.  Because of the love that she had for her son, she was determined to find him and make sure that he was completely safe.  After searching for him and her nephew, her hopes and dreams slightly came true after she met up with them and found out that they were alright and she could breathe a sigh of relief.  Hearing her story has made such an impact on me that I am willing to spend my time working on this house just so that her family can be reunited and get back to the life that they were once accustomed to.

-Andrew Amadeo

January 16, 2008

Unfortunately it is raining today so as we were driving tothe home we are working on, we got a call saying that the work day was calledoff.  Being here in New Orleans hasbeen one the most eye opening experience of my life. Coming down here, Iexpected to see a lot more development than there is.  I have been working on a home on Redwood Street in East NewOrleans.  The home I am working onis pretty far along.  I have beengrouting the tile, hanging doors, and touching up paint on the inside.  However, I do not know if or when thehomeowners will return.  They haverelocated to Mississippi and seem to be doing very well.  Luckily, I was able to speak to theneighbor who shared his story.  Hewas able to get out before the storm and evacuate to Texas where he stayed fora year before he came back to rebuild.

Although some people seem to be doing well after moving backto New Orleans and rebuilding, some streets make me feel as if I am in a ghosttown.  Most homes are abandonedwith broken windows and doors and various spray painted markings on them.  It is so sad to see all of the damagethat still exists.  After two and ahalf years I expected to see a lot more development, but there isn’t.  Many people are still living in FEMAtrailers and most homes in the 9th ward, as well as other places, are stilltotally destroyed. When I went on a tour with the group on Sunday we traveledall over New Orleans and saw the damage. I give so much credit to the residents of New Orleans because despitethe damage they are surrounded by, I saw people outside of their homes thatwere festively decorated for Mardi Gras, children were playing in the streets,and countless numbers of people were working outside to rebuild theirhomes.  The residents of NewOrleans are so brave and strong for being able to rebuild when most of theirneighbors are gone.  But there isstill so much that needs to be done. I feel that after over two years, many Americans have forgotten aboutNew Orleans.  I feel that manypeople don’t realize the amount of damage that still exists because until Icame down here, I did not realize it either.  It is truly unbelievable.  I am halfway through my trip and visions of the destructionI saw in the city are still running through my mind.  I had no idea how much work is still needed to be done downhere.

Before I went on the tour on the first day, we stopped atWinn-Dixie.  As I was walking outan elderly woman was driving past. She stopped and asked if we were all volunteers.  When I responded yes, she began to cryand said that she appreciates us and what we are doing and that it touches herheart.  That woman made me realizehow important it is for me to be here doing this work. After seeing howdestroyed the city still is, I want to come back and volunteer again.  I am only half way through the trip andI feel like one week isn’t enough there is so much that needs to be done.  New Orleans really needs our help.

 

-Esther Brahmi

Rainy Day (Britt and Amanda)

Today our work was canceled due to flooding roads. This made us realize the daily problems the people in this area face. We wish we could have made progress on our houses today, but for the safety of our group the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance team decided that it was best to cancel. On the other hand, yesterday we both made a lot of progress on our houses.

I (Britt) got to talk to our home owner, Laura, and her daughter, Lauren. We got to hear her story about the day of the storm and the struggle after. She told us her son, who was in his early 20s, stayed behind at the house during the storm. He met up with neighbors and found refuge on the roof of the only two-story house nearby. Luckily, Laura had just gone to the grocery store before the storm, thinking they would be coming right back to the house, because her son was able to salvage most of the food in the refrigerator before it went bad or floated away. Laura also told us about her trip back to find her son since they were separated. She talked a lot of the horrible smell and the sight of dead bodies floating in the road. To our surprise she mentioned how warm the water was and how much worse that made the conditions for the people still stuck in the area. Eventually, she found her son and they all evacuated to Texas and came back to rebuild months later. She is very grateful for our work and is excited to make us some home cooked New Orleans food. After meeting Laura, her husband, and her daughter Lauren we have even more motivation to finish her house for her and her family.

I (Amanda) continued to work on tiling the house. We were able to tile the majority of the house, now all we have left are the corners of the house that are a little more difficult because we have to cut and measure each tile. Other members of the team finished working on the bathroom, which now just needs to be sprayed with texture. I was really looking forward to finishing the floors, since there is a small portion left undone. Unfortunately, we have yet to meet our homeowner, but hopefully she will come by soon and will be able to see all of the progress that has been made. I would love to see her reaction because the house looks great already. My team and I are all looking forward to tomorrow to finish what we were unable to today; we were disappointed we could not get some work done today.

Last night we had the opportunity to talk to Dr. Stephens, the head of the New Orleans Heath Department. He gave a presentation with some of the statistics since the hurricane and we were able to ask questions about the current conditions and next steps. Today we sat with our site teams from our service in New Jersey and planned out our next semester’s calendar. We got a lot done so far today even though we are not at the houses and hope to have fun and do some Bonner bonding!