Today we broke up into two different groups again. One group went to do environmental cleanup, and the group I was with went to a house to help build it. The way the Hope program works is they have theses houses that need fixed and different volunteers come in and contribute what they can to the home and then another group would come in. When we got to the home the inside was completely open besides for the studs. You could see from one side to the other. The Hope man who was there with us told us to break up into groups of five and gave each group a job. It was not long until everyone was working and doing something. It was awesome seeing how quickly we became organized and were able to start working. One group was laying down concrete slabs on the floor, another was cutting dry wall, another was making sure the screws in the ceiling were completely in so another group could putty them with the mud, and another would sand the mud after it dried. I was one of the people who puttied the screws and then sanded them after they dried. This work was not work that I was used to. The volunteer work I usually do has to do with helping and talking to people. This was work physical work where I could physcial see what I did and that I really did make a difference in this home. This was nice.
While we were working the owner of the house came and talked to us about his story with Hurricane Katrina. He spoke about his mom and how she caught ammonia and was bed bound and could not leave her bed after the storm. Also after the storm the man said he slept in the bathtub because he could not sleep anywhere else because of all of the debris and water. He lost so much with this storm. Not only physical possessions, but also his mother. He said that while his mother was sick she was taken up north, but they really didn't do anything for her because when she came back she was more sick than ever. It wasn't long after that until she died. Project Hope has been so generous to take this man's home and fix it. With all of the volunteers that go in and out of this house it will someday be finished and this man will be able to move back in. Even though his house will be nicer than it was, it will not be the same considering possessions will never make up for his mother who he lost. This story was sad, but it was great to see how volunteers and the community came together and Project Hope took the initiative of fixing people's homes to help them out.
When I left the house, I was covered in white powder from sanding down the ceiling and walls so when we got back, I took a much needed shower. We then ate dinner and left not long after that. The bus ride back was pretty quite. This was probably both the fact that everyone was thinking about the trip and also the fact that we did drive seventeen hours through the night. I did not sleep well laying on the floor of the bus so I thought a lot about the last couple days and how those days are going to reflect my life. I want to tell people about my trip and let them know that this happened in the United States! There were so many people in our own country without food and without water! The way the communities down south worked together during this time is so inspirational. No one had to tell them about why you should do this or what you would get out of helping these people, they did it on their own. They feed people and comforted those who have lost loved ones. What would happen if this picture was reflected to the rest of America or even the rest of the world? What would it look like for the world to come together not in war but in peace?
Sunday, October 17, 2010
October 10, 2010
Today we ate breakfast and then we went kayaking. It was so relaxing just strolling along and seeing all of the live that lives in and along the water. After that we got ready and left. We went down town in the Gulf City and we walked around and saw foundations and debris that was still there from Katrina five years ago! It was so sad- standing on the foundation thinking that there once was a family here, and they lost everything! Thinking about the water being thirty feet high and measuring that against the trees just seemed unreal! I cannot even comprehend my house being completely submerged in water. How would I feel? We also went to the Coast University. We walked around a little on campus and looked into some of the buildings. Just thinking and comparing this university to Shippensburg University was so devastating. The buildings we looked unto were still full of debris and it looked as if the hurricane just passed through last month! These students lost so much. Not only did the students lose everything but also the professors and faculty here lost jobs and relationships. It seems like the people here don't have anything! But after talking with some people I realized that they do, they have a lot really - they still have each other. They support each other and are always there in times of need. It's really awesome how much faith and hope these people have. Seeing all of the construction showed me that even through so many bad things are happening and they got knocked down they still pick themselves back up. They are starting over. It is so great to see this.
We then went to Ship Island. The island is eleven miles from the coast so we were on the boat for a little while. While on the boat I talked to a woman for most of the time. We talked about so much! She told me that she lived two hours north of here and they came down for the weekend for the car show. We talked about Hurricane Katrina and how her husband came down the weekend after this and brought food and water down to help out. This really inspired me! Seeing how when the government was absent that the community really came together and helped one another. We also talked about different issues going on and how they affect the people such has welfare and health care. So many people down here don't have life insurance because it is too expensive. They either have to choose to pay their mortgage or to pay for health insurance. It shouldn't be this way. It doesn't seem humane for people to choose either to have a home or to see a doctor. This woman was very inspirational. I am so happy I was able to talk with her, she really showed me how much one person can really influence another. The fact that I, Megan Fabbri from a small town in PA, can really make a difference in this world. When there is so many people who need help and assistance why would I just sit around and wait for someone else to help them when I can! There is so much to do in order to improve these people's lives. I want to make a difference and that is what I am going to do.
So anyway, back to the trip: on the island we learned about its history and learned about the battle that was there during the Civil War. It was interesting. We also learned a lot about the eco system on the island, and the purpose it serves on the mainland when hurricanes pass through. We also learned about the organisms and how they affect the island. I usually don't think about these kinds of things so I really learned a lot. It's so beautiful! It looks like paradise. The water is so blue. It is sad that there are workers here who are trying to remove the harmful toxins that were put there because of human's mistake, but it is still beautiful.
We then went to Ship Island. The island is eleven miles from the coast so we were on the boat for a little while. While on the boat I talked to a woman for most of the time. We talked about so much! She told me that she lived two hours north of here and they came down for the weekend for the car show. We talked about Hurricane Katrina and how her husband came down the weekend after this and brought food and water down to help out. This really inspired me! Seeing how when the government was absent that the community really came together and helped one another. We also talked about different issues going on and how they affect the people such has welfare and health care. So many people down here don't have life insurance because it is too expensive. They either have to choose to pay their mortgage or to pay for health insurance. It shouldn't be this way. It doesn't seem humane for people to choose either to have a home or to see a doctor. This woman was very inspirational. I am so happy I was able to talk with her, she really showed me how much one person can really influence another. The fact that I, Megan Fabbri from a small town in PA, can really make a difference in this world. When there is so many people who need help and assistance why would I just sit around and wait for someone else to help them when I can! There is so much to do in order to improve these people's lives. I want to make a difference and that is what I am going to do.
So anyway, back to the trip: on the island we learned about its history and learned about the battle that was there during the Civil War. It was interesting. We also learned a lot about the eco system on the island, and the purpose it serves on the mainland when hurricanes pass through. We also learned about the organisms and how they affect the island. I usually don't think about these kinds of things so I really learned a lot. It's so beautiful! It looks like paradise. The water is so blue. It is sad that there are workers here who are trying to remove the harmful toxins that were put there because of human's mistake, but it is still beautiful.
October 9, 2010
Today we split up into two groups. Half of the group went to do clean up. When we dropped them off a woman named Robin Vick spoke to us. She was very passionate and told us the importance of getting the coast back together after Katrina. She talked about the children and how they need a place to go in the summer. The museum gives the kids the opportunity to learn about the coast during a summer camp where they also get to have fun with other kids. It was awesome to hear her story and how through grants and support she was able to get the museum together after the storm.
The second group of people went to the Hope Children's Fair. We got there before the children so at first a lot of us were just standing around, but once the children got there it was a lot of fun! It was a little sad because it seemed like a lot of them did not have a lot. Their parents just dropped them off and they were on their own. There was a little girl names Kaitlyn and so was so adorable. I was pushing her on the swing and it made me feel so good to make her laugh. She was talking to me and just making crazy noises; I just loved to see her smile! We also played kickball, football, other multiple carnival games, blew up balloons, and face paintings with the children.
There was also another little girl who made me really happy. I do not no her name because she anytime anyone would try to talk to her she would shy away and become really sad. One point of the day she was crying and it made me feel sad. So she was hiding behind the duck pond and I went over to see her. I didn't want to ask her a question or say something dumb because I saw how she reacted earlier when I tried to talk to her, and I didn't want to scare her away. So I started playing peek-a-boo with her. She liked that and started to smile. Soon after that she was trowing water on me and I was tickling her. We played run around the bush and raced back and forth from the duck pond. It made me so happy to see her happy! It was a great experience!
I felt sad when we had to leave. I could tell they were sad too, and didn't want us to leave. This one little boy gave everyone hugs; it was cute. We got back to the lab school, and ate and had a discussion and looked at pictures from that day. I am so glad that our group is getting closer and we are comfortable talking to each other and discussing. It makes the experience so much more rewarding.
The second group of people went to the Hope Children's Fair. We got there before the children so at first a lot of us were just standing around, but once the children got there it was a lot of fun! It was a little sad because it seemed like a lot of them did not have a lot. Their parents just dropped them off and they were on their own. There was a little girl names Kaitlyn and so was so adorable. I was pushing her on the swing and it made me feel so good to make her laugh. She was talking to me and just making crazy noises; I just loved to see her smile! We also played kickball, football, other multiple carnival games, blew up balloons, and face paintings with the children.
There was also another little girl who made me really happy. I do not no her name because she anytime anyone would try to talk to her she would shy away and become really sad. One point of the day she was crying and it made me feel sad. So she was hiding behind the duck pond and I went over to see her. I didn't want to ask her a question or say something dumb because I saw how she reacted earlier when I tried to talk to her, and I didn't want to scare her away. So I started playing peek-a-boo with her. She liked that and started to smile. Soon after that she was trowing water on me and I was tickling her. We played run around the bush and raced back and forth from the duck pond. It made me so happy to see her happy! It was a great experience!
I felt sad when we had to leave. I could tell they were sad too, and didn't want us to leave. This one little boy gave everyone hugs; it was cute. We got back to the lab school, and ate and had a discussion and looked at pictures from that day. I am so glad that our group is getting closer and we are comfortable talking to each other and discussing. It makes the experience so much more rewarding.
October 8, 2010
Since internet access was not the easiest on the trip, I wrote down everything and now I am finally posting it, so here goes nothing.
So we are back on the bus. I slept for the last three hours so that's good, but now only five more hours to go! I am really excited! Everyone is so nice and it is so easy to start a conversation. This is going to make it easier to work and get things done when we get there.
This trip is really testing my patience though. Since there are so many people, I know that it is going to be difficult to all get a long all the time. I have to learn to not get frustrated when things are not going smoothly and when people are not working together well. Also testing my patience is the bus ride! It is so difficult for me to sit still for any length of a time, and this ride is so long! I have to be able to just chill and not get anxious. This is not easy, but I know I'm getting better. I am excited though. I really don't know what to expect, and I am trying not to make expectations because I do not want to assume anything, so we'll see. :)
Later that day...
So the bus ride was fun, We watched a moved called The Day the Levees Broke, and it was really sad. I never realized just how scary Hurricane Katrina was. So many people suffered through the storm and then had to suffer the after math of the storm with no food and no water. It took the government days to set up organization and take action. It is crazy that so many people went through this in our country! In the United States of America people were drowning and starving, and many of the citizens did not even know about it! These people lost everything; not only physical possessions but also their loved ones and the people they care about most! They watched lives perish forever, and there was nothing they could do. This surprises me beyond belief, that the U.S. can go to Afghanistan and Iraq to "take control" and to "set order" but can't organize a relief program for their own people! This just does not make sense. It was really great in the movie how even though they did lose everything, a lot of them still had great faith. They did not give up. They had hope that God would be there for them and this was a huge inspiration to me.
Once we got to the Mississippi coast, we were assigned our rooms and had dinner and we discussed our feelings about the trip and what we wanted to get out of it. It is awesome to hear everyone's ideas and even though we are all different we still all came down here for the same purpose: to serve! It's so great! After this we discussed what was going on the next day. I am going to a child's fair. I am really excited to interact with the kids and talk with them. I want to just try to experience their everyday life. Even though we are still in America, there is a completely different culture here than in PA. I am excited to experience this and learn their ways. Tomorrow will be a good day!
So we are back on the bus. I slept for the last three hours so that's good, but now only five more hours to go! I am really excited! Everyone is so nice and it is so easy to start a conversation. This is going to make it easier to work and get things done when we get there.
This trip is really testing my patience though. Since there are so many people, I know that it is going to be difficult to all get a long all the time. I have to learn to not get frustrated when things are not going smoothly and when people are not working together well. Also testing my patience is the bus ride! It is so difficult for me to sit still for any length of a time, and this ride is so long! I have to be able to just chill and not get anxious. This is not easy, but I know I'm getting better. I am excited though. I really don't know what to expect, and I am trying not to make expectations because I do not want to assume anything, so we'll see. :)
Later that day...
So the bus ride was fun, We watched a moved called The Day the Levees Broke, and it was really sad. I never realized just how scary Hurricane Katrina was. So many people suffered through the storm and then had to suffer the after math of the storm with no food and no water. It took the government days to set up organization and take action. It is crazy that so many people went through this in our country! In the United States of America people were drowning and starving, and many of the citizens did not even know about it! These people lost everything; not only physical possessions but also their loved ones and the people they care about most! They watched lives perish forever, and there was nothing they could do. This surprises me beyond belief, that the U.S. can go to Afghanistan and Iraq to "take control" and to "set order" but can't organize a relief program for their own people! This just does not make sense. It was really great in the movie how even though they did lose everything, a lot of them still had great faith. They did not give up. They had hope that God would be there for them and this was a huge inspiration to me.
Once we got to the Mississippi coast, we were assigned our rooms and had dinner and we discussed our feelings about the trip and what we wanted to get out of it. It is awesome to hear everyone's ideas and even though we are all different we still all came down here for the same purpose: to serve! It's so great! After this we discussed what was going on the next day. I am going to a child's fair. I am really excited to interact with the kids and talk with them. I want to just try to experience their everyday life. Even though we are still in America, there is a completely different culture here than in PA. I am excited to experience this and learn their ways. Tomorrow will be a good day!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October 5, 2010
We are less than forty-eight hours away from departure time! I am getting a little nervous considering I have never been to Mississippi, nor have I participated in this kind of service before. I am really looking forward to meeting people and hearing their stories. Even though we are staying in the United States we are still traveling over 1,000 miles! There is so much to learn on a trip like this. The people who live on the Gulf Coast have suffered so much within the last decade. Considering Hurricane Katrina and now the oil spill, I can not even image how difficult life has been for these people. We always think about going to Africa to fight HIV/AIDs or going to other third world countries to provide clean water and food. These kinds of services are obviously vital in our world, but why is our mind set different when we think about helping people in our own country?
It seems like in America when we learn someone is on welfare or collecting money from the government we automatically assume that the reason for this is because that person is "lazy" or "just not trying hard enough," and these assumptions lead us to believe that we are the superior beings. But when in reality, maybe we need to take a step back and look at who really "isn't trying hard enough." Maybe this person lost loved ones, possessions, and everything in his name because of a hurricane or an oil spill that he had no control over. What makes this person inferior to any other human? I know if this person was me, I would need assistance getting back on my feet. While providing the help I can to the people in the Gulf Coast, I plan to motivate and encourage the people to understand that even though life may be difficult now that does not mean it always will be that way.
I am really excited for this trip. I am not only eager to assist the people in Mississippi, but I am also excited to learn more about my fellow Ship mates. I really do not know what to expect just yet; however, I know that whatever is in store and whatever lessons I do learn, I will benefit from them and be able to use these experiences as stepping stones.
It seems like in America when we learn someone is on welfare or collecting money from the government we automatically assume that the reason for this is because that person is "lazy" or "just not trying hard enough," and these assumptions lead us to believe that we are the superior beings. But when in reality, maybe we need to take a step back and look at who really "isn't trying hard enough." Maybe this person lost loved ones, possessions, and everything in his name because of a hurricane or an oil spill that he had no control over. What makes this person inferior to any other human? I know if this person was me, I would need assistance getting back on my feet. While providing the help I can to the people in the Gulf Coast, I plan to motivate and encourage the people to understand that even though life may be difficult now that does not mean it always will be that way.
I am really excited for this trip. I am not only eager to assist the people in Mississippi, but I am also excited to learn more about my fellow Ship mates. I really do not know what to expect just yet; however, I know that whatever is in store and whatever lessons I do learn, I will benefit from them and be able to use these experiences as stepping stones.
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