Almost four years after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and other cities affected still have yet to reclaim their ambiance, grace and normalcy.

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept the Gulf Coast, forcing thousands to evacuate homes and leave loved ones behind.

The aftermath of the hurricane continues to leave thousands of people homeless with no changes in sight.

Programs such as Habitat for Humanity and Alternative Spring Break recruit volunteers to donate their time to assist in rebuilding homes and lives.

This past spring break, 20 FDU students, including the author of this article, traveled to New Orleans and experienced a life-changing event.

“It was something I always wanted to do,” said junior Jaclyn Chua. “And I’m glad Dean Brian gave me the opportunity to bring students down there.”

Dean of Students Brian Mauro approached Chua about leading the student team down to New Orleans. Prior to winter break, applications were sent out to the entire student body and 50 people applied.

“It reminded me that I’m not alone in wanting to help,” said Chua. “I had 50 applicants and I wish they could have gone but the people who went did not disappoint me one bit.”

In fact the experience was so moving most students returned to FDU wanting to go back to New Orleans.

How could a week of hard labor and early morning hours so impact the students and, furthermore, inspire them to return?

“It’s one of the most rewarding experiences and you won’t even regret a moment of it,” said freshman Melissa Orris. “But that’s not even [saying] enough.”

Students began each morning at 6:30 a.m., dressing for breakfast and heading out to work by 8:30 a.m., according to junior Jessen Venord. At work sites, they were led through construction by site managers.

FDU’s team of 20 was divided into two groups, eight to one site and 12 to another.

One team worked on a single family home of a woman with powerful story.

Homeowner Carol bought her house three months prior to Hurricane Katrina, according to Orris. After the hurricane hit, she was ready to rebuild, but then hired a contractor who ran off with her money.

This event did not stop her; she tried again only to be tricked a second time. By the third time, Carol had learned her lesson and decided to get help through a nonprofit organization. This is where her journey began with FDU students, who were working with Project Homecoming, an organization partnered with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) in the Southern Louisiana region, according its Web site.

Project Homecoming and PDA operate on 100 percent donations. According to the Web site, PDA coordinated over 265,000 volunteer hours, gutted 215 homes and completed over 80 homes and housed over 6,500 volunteers, including FDU’s own.

The second group of volunteers, the team of 12, worked on a four-unit apartment building. While they didn’t have the chance to meet a homeowner, they met some other great people.

“The people down there are way more hospitable,” said Venord. “She [Judy, a secretary] made us feel welcome.”

By day five the students were reluctant to return home.

“I started getting sad,” said Venord. “We did our part but there’s still more to be done. Even though we helped four families, think of how many more families need our help.”

This was a universal feeling among all the students. What attracted students most to New Orleans was “hope,” according to Orris.

Would any of the students ever do it again?

“Definitely,” said Orris. “Why wouldn’t you?”

“I feel homesick,” said Venord. “I feel like I shouldn’t be in class, I should be building a home.”

KRISTIN FULTON
Assistant Editor