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Broken Pieces - Detroit Brooks

Here's a video made by a genntleman Camie Green met in the 9th ward:

Final Thoughts from Carol

I thank you Jason for making this blog available to everyone. My week was extraordinary. I am grateful for all the people I met and those I experienced in new and different ways.

Ken, our Fish Camp manager, was so gracious, organized, and compassionate. I loved his calm nonstop energy.

My work team (Curran Street) was fantastic. We were able to work together in open and close quarters, when we were tired, and whether we were learning a new skill, or using an accomplished one. I enjoyed how our group was playful, flexible, dedicated, never wanting for conversation, and comprised of all ages. Each day I witnessed how each person's talents, energy, and determination help make a sizable dent in the work needed for our house. I am so glad to have been a part of this group. We were so fortunate to meet and talk with our homeowner. Hearing her story, hopes and dreams was such a gift.

Now, back in Buffalo, I feel so fortunate to be a contributor to this complex puzzle of New Orleans recovery with new and deepened friendships, and a delightful sense of serenity.

-Carol


(note from Jason) If you want to add an entry to the blog, feel free to send links/photos/videos, and or text to me at jskowalski (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!

Leading Off

Airport => Airplane => Plastic Platform Tent (POD) => Lower 9th ward, all in 24 hours. What a ride. Spirits are charged up, and the crew is ready to take off. It's becoming more an more clear that our true purpose here is not just to put in a few man hours of volunteer caliber construction, but to process and echo the lessons we learn. Sometimes it's tough to sort through all of it at once, but being a pat of an open like-minded group definitely makes things easier. Nonetheless on the ground you never really know what to expect. Here's an example:

Airplane. GA=>NOLA. Three seats per row. Aisle seat: 20 year old black kid in a tie casually glances at his iPod. Middle seat: me, 22 year old white dude from the Northeast pawing at Howard Zinn's history book, but really just wanting to chat climate change. Window seat: chubby white teenager with glasses, acne, and an a few straight black hairs on his upper lip.

So we talk talk talk talk. "So how about Katrina?" Aisle seat had a car, a house above sea level, and local family. He was fine. He thinks the city needs help, but the system needs to change too. He wants Obama in the white house, and Spike Lee with an Oscar in his hand. He sees the system as flawed and unfixable: if you want to survive a category five storm, you need a car, and a credit card, and that's tough, but it's the truth. New Orleans is just bound to encounter future catastrophe, so start saving now. Oh yeah, and oil companies are no good. Much sarcastic laughing.

So I'm listening - more sharing ensues

Next comes window seat: Window seat had a car, but lived in St. Bernard Parish, and left too late. He got as far as Mississippi, then stopped to weather the storm. He's been in a FEMA trailer camp for two years, and his parents are trying to relocate to downtown New Orleans, but utilities prices are high, and remodeled homes are scarce. His first time back to St. Bernard Parish, he waded through waste deep mud only to find nothing but a concrete slab where his home used to stand. He now shares a room in his aunt's house in Baton Rouge. His parents commute 50 miles to New Orleans and back each day, which takes 4 hours each day. They want nothing more than to move back home. Money is scarce, hope is high, and the FEMA check didn't come until 5 months ago. Didn't want to take a government loan for housing, because there was no housing to buy. Window Seat loved the parish, but says he can't move back there, even now.

"Why?" I ask

Oil spill. I wouldn't just need a new house, I'd need a new yard, and a new block. The soil just has too many chemicals in it now.

Aisle Seat: "Yeah, Hurricanes suck."

So what about Change? What about Hope? Window seat likes Mike Huckabee. He thinks that you "need a little God in you" if you want to fix a problem as big as New Orleans.

It's funny how I can see a person who has totally accepted something as horrible as Katrina, and be OK with it. Most days, saying that something "sucks" and moving on is no big deal. Then again, maybe that's the idea. At some point you'd like to think that dealing with catastrophe is "no big deal."

As we said goodbye, Window Seat stood up, smiled, and revealed that he was 14.

Luling FISH Camp FAQs

WELCOME TO OUR VILLAGE
134 Lakewood Dr, Luling LA 70070

Our village in Luling is located across the Mississippi River from New Orleans.

It is currently located on the beautiful grounds of First Union Presbyterian Church. After assisting those in Luling to recover from hurricane Katrina we began helping our neighbors in New Orleans with recovery efforts.

Locally there are a few businesses, the library, a diner and a Winn Dixie Grocery. Walmart and several places to eat are located west of us on Hwy 90. We have Lowe’s and Home Depot closer to our work sites in New Orleans.

Because we are just SW of New Orleans and work in New Orleans every day there are many options for entertainment on your free time. We do start the day very early so we can arrive in New Orleans ahead of the rush hour traffic. Work tools need to be carried in your vehicles to the work site. Please remember to allow room for them.

About the Village:

• We have TV and wireless Internet in the Village.
• You DO NOT need to bring water or N95 masks.
• We have electricity to the sleeping pods, but bringing a flash light for getting around in the evening is a good idea.
• Dinner is usually at 6:30pm so PLEASE advise us of your arrival time.
• The pods have heating and cooling units, which can be turned on after devotions in the evening, to make them more comfortable for sleeping.
• We have a few thin sleeping pads for the cots and a few extra sleeping bags and blankets.
• We have 4 hot water showers for men and 4 hot water showers for women.
• We have a washer and a dryer, but request that you use only when absolutely necessary.
• Steel-toed boots are suggested and long pants and long sleeved shirts make working safer. There are some boots here that have been left for others to use.
• We request the team leader assign the sleeping arrangements. Usually 2-3 to a pod.
• Please leave your valuables at home or lock them in your car trunk.
• We ask that teams come prepared to lead evening devotions for the entire group.
• Teams are asked to plan and cook one or more of the meals while at the village.

Orientation is generally around 7:30 pm on Sunday (or your arrival day). This is flexible with other activities in the village.

Directions to the Village of Luling. Luling PC is on Lakewood Drive, just off of Highway 90 in the SW area of the larger New Orleans area.

Greetings!

Hello Everyone! My name is Jason Kowalski (22/Westminster/Amherst/VT/NH), one of the many young people ready to work along side all of you in New Orleans this week. For those of you who are new to blogging, I hope this little google blog serves as a fun introduction. To write your own material, just click "sign in" at the top right once you have a gmail account (just name and e-mail), you are able enter a world of cool stuff (for free): blog, gmail, g-calendar, g-chat, edit google docs, start a google group, channel RSS feeds into google reader, etc. You won't regret it. If you aren't bringing a computer with you to NOLA, but you are pringing a video camera, a digi, etc. I'll have my Macbook with me, which you are all more than welcome to borrow if you want to write something, or upload pics.

I look forward to meeting you all tomorrow! In the meantime, here are a few cool links from the PCUSA Site. Feel free to Check out the sidebar videos and links as well.

FAQs
Katrina, 2 years Later - PCUSA vid
Katrina, 2 years Later - NRDC vid