WOW!! We're in New ORLEANS... well, outside of new orleans now in Violet LA. We got in on friday and had a wonderful weekend in the Big Easy. We were totall tourists going on a walking tour, shopping, and strolling on bourban st.! We had an amazing time, and more stories will follow, its just that there is a 15min time limit on the computers!!
Today was our first day of work and it was great! We volunteered to do the Puch list for a few houses. These were lists that were created by the homeowner and habitat staff of work that has to be done before they can move in. So, a lot of touch up paint, sanding, fixing a fan and all of that stuff. All in all, 3 families are ready to move now thanks to our work!!!
Camp Hope has been good, a little throw back to college days of carrying your things to the shower, loud kiddos and all that stuff. OH well, we can't all be smart like me when we're 20!!!!
Talk to you latah!
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
The Info
Here is the plan thus far:
- Tara, My mom and I leave Friday morning for New Orleans
- We arrive mid afternoon, pick up our rental car and head to our hotel.
- Casual dinner and get our bearings of the French Quarter. (Specifically fastest route to Cafe Demond for coffee and beignets for next day's breakfast)
- Saturday sight seeing around the French Quarter (I know where to go and what to do thanks to the Lonely Planet guide that I got as a gift!!!)
- Saturday night, My Birthday Dinner someplace fun
- Sunday sleep in and enjoy the last comforts of Hotel living.
- Head for Camp Hope just outside of New Orleans. On our way we will pass the hardest hit, 9th ward.
- Check in at Camp Hope. Camp Hope is an Elementary school that has not reopened yet since Katrina. It has been turned into basic accommodations for volunteers. For a donation of $20 a day, you'll get a cot, place to shower, go to the bathroom, and 3 meals a day. Not too shabby!
- Complete week of work with Habitat. (Details to follow later!)
- Leave New Orleans Saturday Morning.
There are great people organizing Camp Hope, and while there we'll have laundry facilities, first aid, and access to the internet so be sure to keep checking the Blog!
The Preparations
Unlike last year's volunteer experience, there is relatively little preparing to do for this trip. That is why Habitat is so awesome, you show up, and they've got everything for you!!
I have registered my group online with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, signed us up for our accommodations at Camp Hope, and continue to explain to people around me why exactly we are going.
Yes, it is true, people have said "Why would you want to go there?" when I told them of my plans for New Orleans. I think their reaction shocks me as I am still trying to find peace with it. I guess their reaction of "WHY??" is expected when traveling to Africa or some place far away, but this is New Orleans, the Big Easy, the bustling party town home of Mardi Gras and Jazz. So it is still catching me off guard as people question my intentions. And I try very hard not to leap across the room, shake them and yell, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHY?? BECAUSE!! YOU IDIOT!" But oh, how good that would feel.
My favorite reaction remains "I wouldn't go there, with all those diseases."....... My reaction to that comment was "There are no diseases, nothing more than here. Besides, there are Americans with no homes waiting for the bureaucracy red tape to unwind for them to rebuild a home where their home once stood." Then I added, "And, I've got all my shots from last year, so I'll be fine against, Malaria, yellow fever, TB, HepABC, Typhoid, Tetanus, not that any of those have reached the US since 1930...."
My blanket statement to all of those questioning the intentions of any volunteer is the following, "We do it because we care, because we believe we can make a difference, because it needs to be done. And I challenge you to do the same, just try to volunteer, I can assure you it will change your life."
So with our preparations underway, we are ready! Now if I can just figure out how to fit a nice comfy pillow into my already stuffed suitcase......
I have registered my group online with New Orleans Habitat for Humanity, signed us up for our accommodations at Camp Hope, and continue to explain to people around me why exactly we are going.
Yes, it is true, people have said "Why would you want to go there?" when I told them of my plans for New Orleans. I think their reaction shocks me as I am still trying to find peace with it. I guess their reaction of "WHY??" is expected when traveling to Africa or some place far away, but this is New Orleans, the Big Easy, the bustling party town home of Mardi Gras and Jazz. So it is still catching me off guard as people question my intentions. And I try very hard not to leap across the room, shake them and yell, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHY?? BECAUSE!! YOU IDIOT!" But oh, how good that would feel.
My favorite reaction remains "I wouldn't go there, with all those diseases."....... My reaction to that comment was "There are no diseases, nothing more than here. Besides, there are Americans with no homes waiting for the bureaucracy red tape to unwind for them to rebuild a home where their home once stood." Then I added, "And, I've got all my shots from last year, so I'll be fine against, Malaria, yellow fever, TB, HepABC, Typhoid, Tetanus, not that any of those have reached the US since 1930...."
My blanket statement to all of those questioning the intentions of any volunteer is the following, "We do it because we care, because we believe we can make a difference, because it needs to be done. And I challenge you to do the same, just try to volunteer, I can assure you it will change your life."
So with our preparations underway, we are ready! Now if I can just figure out how to fit a nice comfy pillow into my already stuffed suitcase......
Monday, February 12, 2007
The Mindset
Due to the nature of my last blog, many of you were prompted to ask if we would still be going to New Orleans. The answer is a loud and boisterous YES! OF COURSE WE ARE!
You see, the mindset of a volunteer is one of determination and adaptability. First, a volunteer must have the sheer determination to help be productive in a place where there is much to be done. They must be able to tend to a task, big or small, and know they are making a difference. They also must have the ability to adapt to whatever the situation at hand entails. So, you signed up to paint? Well, get out your hammer, it's time to build a wall!
You see, this adaptability is an unwritten rule that goes along with serving the community. What kind of volunteer would we be if we said, "oh, I only volunteer to paint," while there are people waiting in line for a hot meal at lunch? The true volunteer will grab the spatula and serve up the lasagna! The volunteer goes where there is need, and my friends there is need in New Orleans.
So, despite the recent Snafu, we will be going to New Orleans. Though, the planning wasn't as smooth as we would have liked, we have worked it out. We're determined and adaptable...Again, what kind of volunteers would we be if we said "I don't have an extra $100 to spare" when in reality, we can eat in for the next two weeks and make coffee at home to have that $100 in no time.
Be sure to visit my friend's blogs to further understand the mindset of a volunteer! They are all GLOWING examples of the need to be determined and adapt to one's environment, even if that environment happens to be the hospital!! :)
You see, the mindset of a volunteer is one of determination and adaptability. First, a volunteer must have the sheer determination to help be productive in a place where there is much to be done. They must be able to tend to a task, big or small, and know they are making a difference. They also must have the ability to adapt to whatever the situation at hand entails. So, you signed up to paint? Well, get out your hammer, it's time to build a wall!
You see, this adaptability is an unwritten rule that goes along with serving the community. What kind of volunteer would we be if we said, "oh, I only volunteer to paint," while there are people waiting in line for a hot meal at lunch? The true volunteer will grab the spatula and serve up the lasagna! The volunteer goes where there is need, and my friends there is need in New Orleans.
So, despite the recent Snafu, we will be going to New Orleans. Though, the planning wasn't as smooth as we would have liked, we have worked it out. We're determined and adaptable...Again, what kind of volunteers would we be if we said "I don't have an extra $100 to spare" when in reality, we can eat in for the next two weeks and make coffee at home to have that $100 in no time.
Be sure to visit my friend's blogs to further understand the mindset of a volunteer! They are all GLOWING examples of the need to be determined and adapt to one's environment, even if that environment happens to be the hospital!! :)
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