I am posting a letter sent out via email to a number of recipients by Chris Hinchey. Chris is a nursing student from San Diego, CA, who decided to spend her holiday break from school and work in the New Orleans area volunteering (Chris is second from left in front in the pic to the right). Another volunteer who visited St. Bernard earlier in 2007 put Chris in touch with me, and I helped set her up with a couple of her projects. She met a lot of people along the way here, and decided to capture her trip in an email that she sent out to a number of people. With her permission, posted below is a copy of that email. I think it's an extremely well-written expression of someone's experience here, and needed to be shared with many more.
BY CHRIS HINCHEYHello to my family, new friends and old friends.
I am back - yes tired, with a cold, and stressed over writing this paper due Monday! I was in New Orleans from Dec 24 - Jan 4. The trip was well worth it. New Orleans French Quarter is as great as ever. The music touches me every time. The city has it's own culture and it makes you understand why it's residents are working so hard to rebuild the place they love.
I, like many of you, didn't know exactly what was happening ever since Katrina... so I will give you the understanding that I now have. The population is around half of what it was. Some homes are rebuilt, especially for those that had flood insurance, rather than just home owner's insurance. Any new construction is required to be a number of feet off the ground. The government is attemping to do something, though slowly.
The problems start with who gets help first. You see, the people who were affected, but not quite as bad as others, were able to return first since their houses were habitable and they had a place to stay. So, they were able to apply first and get assistance earlier than some others. Basically, they are at the top of the list - first come, first serve, sort of. So, finally after two years and four months, more families are getting their checks to rebuild. The woman I talked to, who just received her check (did I mention... two years and four months later), is still in her FEMA trailer. She agreed to rebuild with the money and stay in the house for at least three years. Since she has lived there for over 50, that is not a concern for her. But, what do you do first?
Volunteers have gutted the house and so, once it is sprayed for mold, she can begin. Would you know how and who to hire first - plumbing, construction, electric, etc. Not to mention the horrible people that have been ripping residents off- over charging, starting jobs and not finishing, steeling from them, etc. Plus, the robbers who break into houses being constucted to steal copper pipes, electrical wire, etc. How do you find someone reputable? This is a major problem for many people.
Then, like one resident I met, there could be more waiting. As far as this family has been told, the gas company is 5 months behind in inspection, then turn on. So, after getting through all of that construction and finally making it to the other side, they will be in their FEMA trailer (trust me, you wouldn't want to live in these for too long - they are SMALL) for a possible 5 extra months!!! So, for anyone who thinks that the government has given the money (which still hasn't happened for everyone yet) and is wondering what the heck is going on... well, there you go. Not as easy as you might think. Volunteers have built more houses than the government, let's not forget that there is no argumnet that the levy broke related to neglect!! This wasn't just due to Katrina!
We all live in blind faith that our taxes support roads, levies. bridges, etc and we assume they are cared for. Let's keep hoping that is true for the rest of us.
So, there is MUCH still to be done. Few of the local hospitals and clinics have reopened. I doubt that it will be all complete within ten years even. But, it is getting there and the residents and volunteers are outweighing the thieves and the lack of fast action by the government. They are rebuidling, building anew, returned to work and school (and hey, even Brad and Angelina's kids are enrolled in public school there) and are staying strong and being supportive of one another.
So, that is the short story.
I met some great residents and connected with some wonderful fellow volunteers. I nailed, ripped up tile, caulked, painted, moved furniture, drilled, dry walled and had some great talks and heard some amazing stories. I also heard some great music and had a few fun nights out as well. Hope you all had a great holiday and new year. Hope you learn from and enjoy my story. Have a great 2008.
