When the sun started shinning again on New Orleans

Today, I woke up groggy but distinctly eager to start the day. We went back to the homeowners house to finish up on the painting. On our drive to retrieve the equipment, (which is stored elsewhere) I was overwhelmed by the generosity of hope and acceptance evident by the multitudes of people that acknowledged our existence. In the highways, and on the paved streets, and from the lines in the grocery stores to the gas station lines, many waved, some smiled and most nodded the kind of nod that lets one know that "We are in this together".

When the Levees broke I had written a poem chronicling the destructive force that nature could unleash. One stanza especially documented the events surrounding Hurricane Katrina

"The mass denizens moved aimlessly across the dark pitch black, in burlap and in garbage bags they carried their dreams, their lives their history and their pain"

While we help pick up the pieces left by the lives Hurricane Katrina broke, we are once again reminded that these people's existence isn't too different from our own.

Like us they cry, they laugh, they love.

Like us they care, they feel pain and they make mistakes.

Like us they have family and friends who care about them.

They are us and by defacto we are them. The events of August 29th 2005 affected all of us, they have shown the infinite capacity of the human spirit to endure.

-Khalid Adam (Kay)

Tearing down 2-build

This spring break trip provided me an opportunity to be a part of the rebuilding process of the city of New Orleans. Coming to New Orleans for the second time, I have been able to see first hand how damaging and heart breaking a natural event can be. But, people can build hope in the midst of hopelessness and learn to see strength in themselves and others. This experience has helped me to appreciate others and to give me service as a volunteer. I have also gained strength from my fellow Auggies and the entire staff to learn from one another as we serve the people of New Orleans. It was also a great time to see the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New Orleans Hornets basketball game, Woo!


-Richmond.

Day Three: Ducts, Bricks, and Ripping out Floors

Once again today we split up into our different teams and headed out to our work sites. Our team (led by Joe) went back to the house owned by Robert and JoAnn and continued to gut it. The big accomplishments of the day were ripping out more floorboards, pulling down the rest of the insulation and ducts from the ceiling, and began working on the backyard. This was the first time I've ever pulled out a floor-it was a little dangerous with the rusty nails and still soggy boards, but fun. The backyard work included weed whacking (the entire yard--no lawn mower), pulling down the overgrowth from the fence, and digging the bricks that were buried in the yard. We're having jumbalaya for dinner tonight (which smells delicious) and brownies. Then we're off to the city park for some rec time. Today wasn't quite as moving as yesterday; we didn't get to hear any more of Robert and JoAnn's story. But even being in their house and knowing what happened there is so inspirational. It feels good to know how much we're helping them. I'm hoping that feeling stays all week.

Alissa

The First Day: An Early Assertion

We fought rain, fog, and wind to leave Minneapolis International Airport by 7:33 am Friday morning, but we did it. Through turbulence and a jam packed flight, we arrived in New Orleans. Our group of forty-six attracts attention from local residents, yet their response comes to us in nods, smiles, and waves. The hosts at the organization, HisHands2Go, welcomed us warmly, along with two other groups from Houston and Arizona. Orientation details present two certainties: volunteer work is easy come by and conditions are tough; rules are strict. However, the directors are confident that we will have experiences worth cherishing, build lasting connections with host families, and gain a service oriented perspective. After a tour of the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the most devastated areas and one that has gained national/celebrity attention, the group traversed the French Quarter and had a taste of Café Du Monde’s Beignets. At the end of the day, heads are heavy and ready for rest. Morning will come early, with the promise of gutting, sanding, scraping, painting, and sheet –rocking. Auggie Spirit holds strong in the humid heat.