Today we worked on rebuilding a house in New Orleans East
with the St. Bernard Project. It was a most rewarding experience for me because
I grew up a couple blocks away.
New
Orleans East is at times a neglected part of the city of New Orleans and has
been struggling for a time to return to its original luster ever since Hurricane
Katrina. Driving through the neighborhood many houses are still boarded and
blighted property is still high. Today we helped paint and prep the interior
and exterior of a house on Crowmley street being put on the market for first
time homebuyers of the city.
We first met with the field officer of the St. Bernard Project,
which is a nonprofit focused on disaster rebuilding, and affordable housing
throughout the city. After a brief introduction and icebreaker, we got to work.
We were divided into two groups. One group worked in the garage sanding down
spackle on the walls of the garage while the other group paints the siding
outside.
After we each finished our tasks we broke for a late lunch
as an end to the day. Being back in New Orleans East brought back many great
childhood memories as well as memories of riding my bike along the canal,
walking to church with my grandmother, and stopping for snowballs after school.
It was a bittersweet experience because it also reminded me of how much more
the city has to go.
Kristine Mbadugha
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