The good news is that we found New Orleans and the Gulf region much improved; the bad news is there is still much work to be done.
As we landed in New Orleans we noticed immediately that there were many fewer blue tarps on rooftops, a sign of re-building. We also noticed leaves on the trees. Last year the trees were struggling to produce some scruffy leaves, this year everything was green and lush looking. The French Quarter was hopping! Restaurants and bars were open; music of every type projected onto the streets, and throngs of college students walked around carry in Hurricanes or the bright green drink in a long, tall plastic glass.
Fourteen of us spent the next week in Long Beach, Mississippi at Camp Coast Care. Even CCC was looking up! The long awaited move out of the Coast Episcopal School gym and into the adjacent brand new facility had just been completed two weeks prior. The new volunteer space was hardly luxurious but a definite improvement with more bathrooms and a larger kitchen. The "dorm" contained rows of bunk beds with milk crates as nightstands but the place was clean and air-conditioned.
Similar to last year our group participated in a variety of projects. Many of us spent time at the Thomas house nailing up sheet rock, then mudding and taping to make the walls smooth. Robert, the grandfather of the family was there working along side of us. He was a wiry man, very friendly and grateful. My favorite memory of my day there involved a trip with Mary Beth to the Porta Potty a couple of blocks away. As we took turns using to facilities a heavy set black woman walked across the street, asked us where we were from, and gave us both huge hugs and thanks for not forgetting the people of the Gulf. She beckoned her friend over for more hugs and thanks. Mary Beth and I knew we were doing the right thing.
Another project involved building a deck and steps on a house that was up on the now required stilts. This house was one of only 2 or 3 actual houses on this street not far from the beach. Mostly there were trailers and the broken remains of small houses and sheds. This was a neighborhood that was not in great shape before the storm and Katrina did nothing to improve it. We did however! We (under the leadership of Claudio) built a beautiful deck, front steps, and a side landing and steps. The owner, Daniel came around a few times and gave his approval. We loved seeing his sense of whimsy in his choice of bright blue and purple paint for the bedrooms. Yellow paint was to go up next in the living room. At least now he had a way to enter his home without having to climb up the scaffolding.
A third "project" involved remaining at Camp and helping to maintain the facility. With many volunteers coming and going each week much effort needs to be put into cleaning the dorm, the bathrooms and the kitchen. In addition, although there was a paid cook volunteers were needed to assist with the prep of three meals a day. Our group assisted admirably in the cleaning and especially the cooking.
In spite of working hard, often outside in the mid-May Southern heat, it was not all work. It seems that working hard all day lends itself to having a good time in the evenings. Our group did a brisk business at the local liquor store and at the nearby Mexican restaurant that had only been opened since Easter. We made good use of the fire pit behind the CCC building, enjoying cool evenings talking about our days and our lives. We met and got to know some of the staff and other volunteers from South Carolina, California, and even Canada.
During our stay a man from Toronto named Peter and his dog Buddy were at camp. Peter was the truck driver who made the very first delivery of donated goods to Camp Coast Care shortly after the storm. We enjoyed watching the documentary of that trip made by Doug (also there during the week) for Canadian Public TV called, "Long Haul, Big Heart." It was very special to meet Peter and Doug and share their memories and experiences.
We were glad to see a major improvement in the area since last year. More stores and restaurants were open, more homes had been rebuilt, and the people generally seemed upbeat and moving forward. There were beautiful "new" homes built overlooking the beach and right next to empty slabs. The small amount we did to help the people of this area is at its greatest when combined with the volunteer efforts of hundreds of others both before and after us. Lots of small steps will add up to rebuild the homes and lives of people in the Mississippi Gulf.
5/16/2007 - To the "the wonderful people I spent last week with. Thank you all, it was such a joy! Now I'm just trying to...overcome deep tiredness. See you soon."
Love,
Warner
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