On the first of August, I was sent out with a small group to finish someone's house in the less wealthy area of New Orleans. It was simply stunning to see how we could travel from the nice area of St. George's to a completely different scenario that was simply riddled and crippled with poverty and destitution. When we arrived, though this neighborhood was just as downtrodden, the homeowner's spirit was so uplifting that I could barely understand how she could be so happy, but it was so contagious that everybody seemed to work with just a little bit harder and things seemed just a little bit easier. As we finished our task of painting the security bars on her windows, we learned that she had donated her car to a homeless shelter before the storm leaving her without any mode of transport, and that her son had been sent to a mental institution in Massachusetts leaving her all alone.
It was very sad as the volunteers whom she had seen almost daily for several months were leaving for the last time, once again having loneliness as her only companion. It was especially frustrating to realize that this poor woman was only one of thousands of victims to have suffered grievously from the Katrina hurricane, and that too much of the desolation still remained and how it had probably changed New Orleans forever. I wonder how much could have been prevented if more people had reacted sooner, and unfortunately I'll never know. It is so sad that it is too easy to forsake a city, culture or even a country, but that you cannot ignore the crisis after you meet the people, and you realize just how terrible it really is.
Calvin Sherwood
It was very sad as the volunteers whom she had seen almost daily for several months were leaving for the last time, once again having loneliness as her only companion. It was especially frustrating to realize that this poor woman was only one of thousands of victims to have suffered grievously from the Katrina hurricane, and that too much of the desolation still remained and how it had probably changed New Orleans forever. I wonder how much could have been prevented if more people had reacted sooner, and unfortunately I'll never know. It is so sad that it is too easy to forsake a city, culture or even a country, but that you cannot ignore the crisis after you meet the people, and you realize just how terrible it really is.
Calvin Sherwood
3 comments:
In the midst of the devastation, remember that - as the banner on the blogsite says - your work (and your spirit) have a ripple effect that will ultimately overcome it.
Way to go, Cal.
Mom & Dad
The woman that you helped may feel loneliness, but she will always have the comfort of having experienced the love and compassion of all the volunteers who gave of themselves to help her in her great time of need.
The work that you are all doing is leaving a lasting impression, not just on the houses, but on all the people that you have helped and on yourselves. This experience has allowed you to grow and change in so many positive ways. I can't wait to hear more when you get back.
Sally Fischer
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