Julia L - Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Over the past few days, my experience in New Orleans thus far has been interesting to say the least. With the excitement of the city and the challenges of living so close with everyone, I've been having the experience of my life.

After two days of service I am already enjoying the work I am getting to do. Hearing the story of Mr. Williams, the homeowner, made me really motivated to do the best work possible. For an 86 year old man who lost his house during Katrina, just a month after his wife died, and again last year from a fire, this man deserves an awesome house to finally go home to. Its so cool to have been given this opportunity to help change someone's life while simultaneously learning handy skills I've never had before.

I'm determined to learn more over the next few days and can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings.

- Julia L. 

Monday January 13th- Tuesday January 14th 2014

The devistation in the city is rampant

A rancid stench hangs by the water

A symbol of a purity slaughter

With the passing blocks it becomes clear

With no houses in the read view mirror

It is clear rebuilding has just begun.

The church bell rings with a resounding don't

New Orleans stands still strong

The people make the city

And they return for their second life kitty

Volunteers come in droves too

So much work to complete but where to start

It's hard to see that you're doing your part

But the labor makes a diffrence

A labor of love is a labor worth bearing.

Hammering Tiles on Work Day 2

Yesterday was a great day on the work site at Mr. Williams' (Buddy's) home. I and others broke up and removed old, rotted tiles, and I had a ton of fun and learned a lot in the process. 

For example, as I voraciously hammered away at the floor and chatted with one of our site leaders, Chelsea, I learned that part of the reason that the floors and sub flooring in Buddy and others' homes took so much damage was not just the quantity of water that flooded in and sat, but also the content. The sewage and bacteria that spread across the city contributed greatly to the kind of long term damage that continues to haunt so many people in the ninth ward and the rest of New Orleans. 

Buddy brought some family to the site, including his great granddaughter, and I felt to humbled to meet them. I felt humbled to talk with the people whose home I was working on, even if I've only done some mudding demoing this far. It's an incredible feeling to make progress on rebuilding someone's home, knowing the hardships they've faced, understanding the social, historical context of the situation, and connect it all together. 

Meeting the Homeowner

The weekend that we arrived in New Orleans was mostly spent touring the city, walking around the French Quarter, going on a swamp tour and mainly touristy things. While I had a great time exploring New Orleans and really getting a feel for the city, the main reason we're here is to work closely with the St. Bernard Project and rebuild homes and lives after Hurrican Katrina.

When I first got my homeowner's story, that's when the level of devastation that still exists even after eight years really hit me. In 2012 his home, newly built after Katrina, burnt down and once again, he was left without a home. Reading his story really motivated me all throughout the first day of construction, which I really needed after a rough day with my first experience mudding.

Also, I was surprised when on the first day, we met the homeowner and his family. His three year old great granddaughter stopped by after school and simply asked, "Are you building my home for me?" Sitting there in her matching pink boots and backpack, she was the cutest little girl ever and to be able to say yes, we're building your home for you and then see her excitement was just an amazing moment.

Day 3 Reflection

After 5 days in New Orleans and 2 days at the worksite, I have fallen in love with the city. 

The French quarter was completely different than I expected, and so much better. The iron gates, balconies, and cobblestone streets were different than any city I've ever seen. I sang karaoke, tried on masquerade masks, and seen a jazz park on bourbon street. I also tried my first beignet from cafe du monde and my first poboy !

The house I am working on is an electric blue townhouse that is very far along; the homeowners are expected to move in in two weeks ! I have been mudding, sanding, and priming the home. I had the pleasure of meeting Chiquita, the homeowner, and her son Chase. They were beyond grateful to have us there, and it made the work we were doing so much more real and meaningful. 

I can't wait to see what the rest of the week brings! 

Agony, Fear, and Reward

Today is the beginning of the third day of work. I've come to terms that mudding and sanding is the bane of my existence, and I'm hoping today I'll finally be able to start priming and painting. Something amazing happened yesterday; as my team and I finish up the remaining work for the day, Laura, our chaperone, turns off the music and exclaims the homeowner is here. It was one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences of my life. Chiquita walks in, clearly exhausted from her long day of work, with her son in his school uniform. Despite this, she was extremely warm, welcoming, and extremely thankful. Her son was one of the most respectful children I've ever met, he walks in and immediately introduces himself and shakes our hands. It makes me proud to know that I'm helping a respectful and kind family. New Orleans has been an amazing and awe inspiring experience. Yesterday, I stared one of my greatest fears in the face as I walked across the levees. I don't think I've ever felt more emasculated in my life as I saw Laura and other girls sprint across the levees while I slowly teetered taking baby steps. It was certainly an experiences. I can't wait to see what the rest of the week has in store for me.

Two Days Down

So far we have been on-site with St. Bernard's Project for two days (this afternoon will be our third).  We are split into two sites, and our project has been mudding.  We are making good progress and our supervisors expect this process to be finished by Friday.  There are two main things I want to discuss in this blog.

First, we met our home owner and learned his story.  He is an 86 year old great-grandfather who moved to New Orleans in 1940 and has lived here since.  The month before the storm, his wife passed away and he reluctantly evacuated before the storm.  A few years after the storm, which completely destroyed his house, re-construction was in the final stage and nearing completion when a fire occurred and the entire house was back to square one.  Meeting him and hearing this devastating story was a great experience and he was very nice and grateful.  We also had the opportunity to meet his daughter, grandson, and great grand daughter.

The second thing I wanted to discuss is the difference between this week and my freshman year.  While parts of the city (specifically blocks in the 9th ward) are still empty and have yet to be rebuilt, the progress in the past years is noticeable.  Sometimes you lose sight of the fact that "just mudding" for a week is important.  When you only see one tiny piece of building a house it's sometimes hard to see your importance but when you see the cumulative work of all these volunteers who "just" did this or "just" did that it reminds you that it all adds up.  The St. Bernard's project has completed over 500 houses with the majority of that work being done by volunteers which shows that the little bit we accomplish in a week adds up and helps rebuild the city of New Orleans.