Show Rebuilding lives in New Orleans Jeffrey Wall Campus Editor Students and staff from left a permanent mark markon on one hurricane devastated street in New Orleans during spring break The volunteers work with Habitat for Humanity to build on home in a housing development that is s known as the Musicians Village The Village is located in the St. St Bernard Perish an area of New Orleans completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 I really thought wed we'd be doing more clean up than the actual building of a house I 1 Iwas Iwas was quite wrong and thrilled to discover we actually were and did build a house from the base to the frame said Charity Thompson a volunteer Volunteers were surprised by the actual damages caused by Katrina and how much is still left to be done to restore the city back to what it once was Its a complete ghost town Hardly any of it has come back The population has not returned they cant can't there is nothing to come back to Working conditions I cj g i g f J r tT I Jav W I j 1 1 i I I J I r rf 9 J f A J Y x 4 in New Orleans arc are far different than here with spring temperatures reaching over eighty degrees and high humidity conditions weren't ideal Volunteers worked eight hour shifts starting early in inthe inthe inthe the morning to beat the heat but sunburns were still the norm for most volunteers It was hard work it was hot but to meet people who lived through it and continue to carry on made it very worth it said aid Seth Butler an volunteer Habitat for Humanity requires the families that receive these new homes to work in a sweat equity program along side the volunteers Interacting with these families and other local people made a real impact on the volunteers We Ve met local people in the community who inspired us by their stamina for hope and courage to stand the hardship said Christine Acevedo an volunteer Students stayed at Camp Hope a local elementary school converted into a volunteer hotel Accommodations were basic some volunteers got gotto to sleep in a bed or cot while others roughed it on the floor The camp provided meals computer access and local live entertainment Camp Hope is the vehicle to help volunteers help others The staff and the organization were so accommodating and very helpful said Acevedo Camp Hope is not a five star hotel but close enough They are arc awesome Volunteers look forward to next years year's trip but that wont won't stop them from serving others in the meantime I would do this again in a heartbeat said Thompson If anybody wants to know about service contact Lynne in the Thayne Center and shell she'll set you up up The Thayne Center has sponsored an Alternative Spring Break trip since 1998 students interested in participating should sign up early The center also provides multiple opportunities for students to volunteer locally throughout the year Information for these opportunities is available at the Thayne Center t 1 i iy y 7 1 OT r J 4 k t I I HoPe a L Photos oy by Lynne McCue and i Christine Ace Cdo Instead of partying and traveling some students from spent their spring break rebuilding homes in New Orleans La and San Francisco Calif The Alternative Spring Break program is an activity sponsored by the Thayne Center Each semester groups of students work to make the world a better place |