One Brick Scholarship thanks

Where do I begin? Most people down in NOL A had that same question after KATRINA hit New Orleans back in 2005. These people loosing family members, pets, homes and businesses - everything that they basically owned.  For some, they left with only the shirts on their back – and all, their lives as they knew it. One Brick helping the St. Bernard Project has got to be the best synergy ever joined. Every time I come down to NOLA,  a little part of me becomes more a part of this regrowth, as we help build this city back to its former glory and in getting people back home.

In receipt of the scholarship, it all came back to me to why I continue to come back. This is my second year down to the crescent city, and back to help build homes for the people of New Orleans. One Brick made this possible for me – as I had a small financial hardship within my planning. I was so happy that I could get back down there to help build, learn new faces and try new things. I think that the most important part of the journey were all of the people I met along the way. I met the home owners like the Jackson’s of pre-owned homes, to meeting Ms. Bernadine – a native to New Orleans that my team mates knew from a previous trip w/One Brick. I was invited to walk in her home to see the great volunteer work done. She was so gracious for that and most of all, so thankful that she could go back to living her life and now overlooking a new school that the city was building right behind her house. She could sit on her back porch now, and see & listen to the children coming/going to school, and as a retired school teacher – she probably felt like this was a dream come true!!  This was one true reward I was privileged in being a part of, and now - can’t wait for the Jackson Family to come home next!

The communal house living experience: 20 people under one roof was a really great experience! We all got along pretty well, some returning like me for the second, third, fourth time etc. The chores were organized between us all, and people engaged themselves to open up rides to restaurants, and after work outings. I felt right at home, and slept very well each night in my bottom bunk bed. The two days of group meals gave us all a way to join together, talk – and get to know each other even more. It was a great bunch of people on this last trip, and new friendships that formed.

Thanks One Brick for your sponsorship – I hope to get back down there next year again if I can!

Deb