March 28, 2012
Today
we did more of the same; working on mudding, priming, and drilling the houses
to which we have grown so accustomed. They’re coming along great; we have made
so much progress since we first started! After work we traveled back to the
Saint Bernard Project’s headquarters and met with the young Americorps
representatives. They talked to us about their journeys and about all that they
had learned over the course of their experience in New Orleans and abroad. They
each have their own story and we were surprised by the diversity that existed
in just one organization. They reminded all of us that community service does
not end when the trip does and that there are opportunities to do good all
around us, and all around the world.
Upon
returning to the hostel, we all took much needed and well deserved showers
before we gathered together for a special surprise in the courtyard. We were
divided into pairs and were given instructions to come up with a creative “gift”
that we felt would express our appreciation for the rest of our group and for
the experience here. We will present our “gifts” to our NOLA 2012 family
tomorrow after dinner in a closing ceremony.
Tonight,
after dinner, we came together to discuss our feelings about the experience that
we have had thus far and to answer some difficult and thought provoking
questions. Rachel, one of our three chaperones, asked us if it is more
meaningful to send money to the Saint Bernard Project, or to send yourself to
do hands on work. We did not all agree on the answer to this question; however,
we did all agree that the conversation was an important one to have.
It is
conversations such as these that make us think about all that we have at home
and about all of the people who are not as fortunate. We are looking forward to
our last day on the job and to spending another wonderful and worthwhile
afternoon in the French Quarter and to experiencing all that the city of New
Orleans has to offer.
Thank
you for reading!
Love,
Lauren
Gluck, Sarah Levine, and Ben Aronovitz
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