January 16, 2008 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