Sorry for the delay in the blog. It's awesome that so many people are reading it.
The point of this trip was realized today. TODAY was a great day.
We started the day by waking up at 6AM. We ate breakfast in the Tulane Dining Hall (Buffet) and then headed to our work site. Our program director started off by giving a brief orientation to our kids consisting of words of gratitude for the effort they were about to put forth and also legitimizing, from a first person narrative, how bad it was post Katrina. He then brought us to our first work site- a duel project. One house was in between renovation - a half painted house, rotted siding, and overgrown lawn owned by an elderly man. The second house, was a severely dilapidated house, as bad as could be imagined, and was owned by a women who had been there for thirty years before Katrina, and to this point has not been able to secure the funds, or work force to be able to return her house to the state it was in prior to the hurricane.
She told her story to the kids and they more than responded. They cleaned up 5 years of overgrowth from the yard, and started removing debris from the property. Ms. Lucille said it was the best day of her life - twice. The kids worked from 9:30am - 3am, in a heat index which reached over 100 degrees. Amazingly, once the work started, there was very little complaining, they were almost too busy to complain, and the fact that the people who they were helping were actually faces at the site, raised their spirits and efforts to a new an unexpected level. Hopefully they can reach the same level tomorrow.
There were a few set backs along the way, including a broken down van, some scratched up arms and legs, and a little red from sun burn, but we ended the night with dinner at the Tulane dining hall and a swim in the Rec. center pool for an hour. At our nightly Pow Wow, all the chaperones agreed, that the vision that Ray had was realized in today alone.
Today alone made the trip a success, and it was only day 1 of the true effort. It opened up the children's eyes from northern NJ to a whole new world in which they had until this point only read about and seen on TV. And in the misery that this city has seen in the past several years, it has changed perspective of what good people can do when they get together for the right reason. We are truly proud of all your kids and yourselves from making this possible. Ray is currently trying to upload pictures. Thank you for all of your support.
Pete
What an exciting and fulfilling day for everyone involved. I am so glad that our New Milford students are being exposed to such a worthy project that will shape them as enlightened, compassionate and caring individuals! Congratulations to the students and educators involved who have all chosen to be involved in such meaningful work!! Get a good night sleep everyone!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to read this blog and follow what's happening with you in New Orleans. I'm so proud of all of you for working hard today & most importantly, for stepping out of your comfort zone to be part of this project. Together you're all making a difference in someone's life and that something that I hope will stay with you no matter where life take you. Back home you're reminding us all how important it is to be grateful for all our blessings, the things we take for granted, the things we spend time complaining about, all seem like minor inconveniences when you see the struggles and hardships that others are dealing with. So keep working hard, keep working as a team, take care of each other and don't forget the sunscreen & the water!!
ReplyDeleteThis definitely seems like a once in a lifetime experience so I hope everyone is taking advantage of it! You're all doing such a great thing by helping the people who are truly in need. It's amazing how even with the heat and neverending work, no one lost focus and everyone understands the true meaning of the trip. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience! You are representing yourselves, your families and New Milford well! From the comments of the airline attendant to the families you are touching with your generous spirits, you are all gaining a new perspective of this world and your ability to make a difference. I can not wait to hear all about the entire experience through your blog and all the details when you all return. As Mrs. McElroy said, keep up that great teamwork, stay hydrated and lots of sunscreen!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome knowing you guys have taken out time from your summer to make a big change in lives of people who you don't even know. Keep up the hard work and dedication and take advantage of the great opportunity you all have to grow closer to one another and make a difference in the world(:
ReplyDeleteAgain I am amazed and in awe with how wonderful you all are! The pictures are terrific and to read the words it resonates with me how this service learning opportunity will not only change your lives, but set the direction for future students at DEOMS. Keep up the good work, and as always I am so proud of you!!
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