Sarah Bettens

In March 2007, I went to New Orleans for a week with Habitat For Humanity to help build houses. Ever since Hurricane Katrina, I had felt the need to ‘do something’, something more than just sending a check. Not to question the value of donations - money is still very much needed and appreciated - but I wanted to donate my time too and be a part of the gigantic and overwhelming task of rebuilding New Orleans.

So we put together a small party of five and planned our week. On our first day there, we received a ‘tour’ of the areas that were still primarily uninhabited from an old friend who is a Habitat For Humanity employee. The car fell silent as we drove through miles and miles of destruction and devastation. It’s been two years since Hurricane Katrina, and still thousands of people are living in trailer parks, waiting for solutions and answers that don’t seem to be coming. It was eerie to see it all up close and to drive through the very streets that looked like rivers on television. As sad as the picture looked though, we were happy to be there.

The week proved to be all that we expected. We painted, we learned how to use power tools, we moved dirt, we made shelves, we built a staircase to the house, we loved lunchtime and most of all we brought one hard working mom one week closer to owning her own house. We had the pleasure of meeting our house's owner and her gratefulness and humility inspired us all.

I just wanted to share this with you guys. In the wake of an ongoing war and newer disasters, it’s important we don’t forget.

If you want to find out more about Habitat For Humanity or the specific project we were part of, please visit http://www.habitat-nola.org/. We worked in the Upper Ninth Ward as part of the Musicians' Village Project.

Thanks,

Sarah

The Habitat for Humanity, Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Crew


The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans...


Still not cleaned up...


Building a staircase...


Moving dirt...


The Gang


Musicians' Village