Elttil goes to New Orleans

[Elttil]

I'll be away from BSW from March 30 through April 8 because I’m going to New Orleans with a group of 22 people from our church to help with recovery efforts from hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Many from this group went last year, but I was unable to go so I’m excited about the opportunity to join in this year. Most of the work will center around "mucking" houses – removing everything and gutting the interior. In the most devastated areas, the houses were underwater for several weeks and everything inside is destroyed so all of it must be removed and thrown away – appliances, furniture, clothing, pictures, cabinets. Then all the sheet rock, insulation, flooring, electrical work, and usually the plumbing has to be removed. This is difficult arduous work, both physically and emotionally, and for many of the people from New Orleans, they’re not able to do it themselves and/or can’t afford to have it done. Groups of people from all over the US, even from around the world, have been coming to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region to help with these efforts. It's been 18 months since the hurricanes hit, but there’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done.

Our group has a web site where we’ll be posting daily journals and pictures: http://web.mac.com/spareoom/iWeb/New%20Orleans%202007/2007%20Trip.html  There’s a link at the bottom of that page for the 2006 trip so you can see photos and read about the experience.

I know it will be a challenging task, but I’m looking forward to the trip and to sharing about the experience when I return.

- Elttil (aka Mark)

[PaulW]

Good Luck!!!!

[Bromios]

Good Luck Elttil!
My college organized a trip down to the Katrina region last fall and I too did a bit of mucking (let me tell you, it isn't any more pleasant than the name indicates).  One of the hardest things though was that, because many of these people have not been let back into their homes, ALL of their stuff is still inside.  So while the easiest/fastest way to muck is Rambo-style, just chucking stuff out of the house, knocking down walls, etc... one of the things I had to learn very quickly was to "muck with care."  I don't know if the people whose homes you'll be mucking will be present at the time, but pulling out some of their undamaged possessions from their houses and presenting the to the homeowners is one of the most rewarding parts.

Just something to think about.  I hope you have a great time.

-Bromios
ps Watch out for refrigerators!!! I have never seen as many maggots or smelled anything so foul.  18 months is a long time for food to rot.

[Elttil]

Thanks for the advice, Bromios. The organization that I'm going with does require that the homeowner be involved. They don't have to be doing the work, but they do need to be there. Everyone who's been there has emphasized that the trip is mainly about the people, not the work. Almost everyone said the emotional side of the work is greater than the physical side. Finding things like photo albums and wedding certificates were a treasure, but sometimes a tragedy when they were so damaged. Some great friendships have evolved from the people of New Orleans that our group met, and the first house we're doing this year is for someone they met last year. He's very excited that we're coming.

I've been warned about refrigerators.   I hear the best strategy is to wrap them with duct tape before moving to make sure they don't pop open. And if anything is dripping out the bottom, don't let it get on your shoes because the smell will not go away. 

[Bromios]

Almost everyone said the emotional side of the work is greater than the physical side. Finding things like photo albums and wedding certificates were a treasure, but sometimes a tragedy when they were so damaged.
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I've been warned about refrigerators.   I hear the best strategy is to wrap them with duct tape before moving to make sure they don't pop open. And if anything is dripping out the bottom, don't let it get on your shoes because the smell will not go away. 

Looks like you've been well prepared! I'm sure it will be an incredibly rewarding time.

[Elttil]

It's hard to believe I've been home for over a month. I've been working on a journal of my experiences and finally got it posted here.

Feel free to check it out when you have time -- lots of time, because it's quite long.