Because community comes first
New Orleans is undeniably a “Small-town minded” city with families who live as neighbors, and neighbors who become family. The ability of this region to uphold community camaraderie despite adversity was tested since Katrina, but meeting homeowners who have stuck by their city for the better part of a decade assures me they have proved resilient. This seems to be a true testament to how much they deserve this help.
We come with One Brick to break some sweat and rebuild houses for a week, but they have labored for years to re-grow their community. Just as when building a house, though, a group of people can only hold together so long as its individual pillars can take the pressure. It is the individuals of New Orleans who have shown that they can withstand immense strain and it is them who stick with me when I consider the highlights of this trip.
It is Miss Chiquita’s glowing smile, brighter than her golden dress and her new teal house, as she cuts the ribbon to her son’s first home- after evacuating with him in her stomach.
It is her now nine-year-old boy who has shared a bed with mom his whole life, posing with hands on his hips, one foot perched on a basketball and a proud grin to show off his first own bedroom.
It is the woman who, while battling multiple rounds with cancer, was left with barely more than one pair of shoes due to disaster- two separate times in her life! Despite those disparaging trials, when faced with the mounting tides of the hurricane she kept faith and promised to give everything if her and her husband made it out alive. The moment she got off the rescue boat she encounters a man without shoes and a shirt and is called upon to hold her end of the deal- give away the only belongings she has remaining of a hard earned life. But she hands them to the stranger. Because community comes first, and he needed it more.
In addition to the unselfish people we are there to assist, working with One Brick allows the opportunity to work and live with altruistic individuals from all over the country. From learning construction skills to finding out which states actually have the better drivers (ha, ha) every day is a learning experience. Making friends and memories, aided by the relaxed, friendly air New Orleans provides (and maybe a daquiri or two) I had a priceless time on BOTH of my One Brick trips and I would recommend the experience to anyone.
Sara
