Well the last day of work is over. I can't believe it's time to pack up the van and head home in the morning. What an amazing weeks it's been. I have truly loved this whole experience, nasty showers, too many carbs, cockroaches by my bed and all. Our Horizon team really amazed me. The teens were all awesome. They came to work every day to pull their weight and worked harder then I ever imagined they would. What an awesome group!!! The adults worked really well together as every found their nitch. I discovered that I love power tools. After a great first lesson from Frank , I quickly felt comfortable with the two main power saws, and it wasn't long before I was teaching "power sawing 101" to others. Who would have guessed I had it in me? (I always made sure to follow the "Frank Vaughan School Of Power Tool Safety" with every cut.) I was also thrilled with the lesson from Michael and Peter on how to use the "saws-all" (spelling?) and I even cut out the frame of a window. After that experience I felt like Sandman from the last Spiderman Movie, as I was covered from my head to my toes in sawdust. It stuck to me like glue in all the sweat and sunscreen that I was covered in, but... surprisingly it felt amazing! A bit scratchy, but amazing!
I've loved getting to know the kids. I had so much fun laughing with Hannah. We learned that we shop well together at Win-Dixie even though the people in the store looked at us funny, since we would come straight from work and looked rather grungy. I'm also sure we all smelled a bit funky too! Hannah and I spent a lot of time together riding in our crazy van, sleeping in not so comfortable beds near each other and laughing over both of our likes and dislikes. (Plus there are also great crab imitations with hand motions to go with it.) I loved talking with the boys and laughing and having fun. An afternoon snack of "crack cookies" is great to bond over. What a great group!!
Well, as I close this out, I can honestly say that I am so looking forward to many more Habitat experiences. This has been a life changing week for me and I feel like I have really grown and have gained so much from this trip. Doing the amazing yet such challenging work, meeting many wonderful people from around the country, and learning so much about the area, the people and about myself has just been such a growth opportunity. I am looking forward to the next Habitat build! Next year, June 2008? Can't wait!!!
Deborah
Friday, June 29, 2007
Do you know what it means...?
... to miss New Orleans?
(posted by Michael)
I've had the experience I wanted. We spent 5 long (ok, only 5 hours each, but they sure FELT long), hot (avg. 85*), sweaty (smell our clothes! -- or better don't!) days building a house. We started with a "potential" house, just floor work in place -- that is to say, long joists framing where the floor should be. We left with most of a very visible house in place. Getting the roof on would've been a nice touch, but it was clear early in the week about where we'd finish.
We put floor boards on the joists, we built exterior and interior walls, we hoisted the walls into place, we sheathed the walls with plywood, cut out the doors & windows (I got to do most of that!) built and positioned the front porch, covered the exterior with Tyvek, and we would have gotten the windows in, too, if not for a sizing issue the supervisor was unprepared for. We got all the interior walls in place, cut out the doorways, and blocked in most of the walls (so the sheetrockers can get to their work).
Most of the days we headed out around 7:15 after a nice breakfast at Camp Hope. We went first to Musician's Village the first couple days, but from Wednesday, we went straight to our site - having proved our worth as good volunteers who could be relied upon for a solid day's work. Our supervisors Dan & Nora were terrific. The Baptists and Chicago ladies, and the other solo folks, and the later group that joined us were great. We made the kids drink a half-bottle of water at the top and bottom of each hour (after one gave us a scare Monday). At Marianna's suggestion we brought watermelon to the site the last 2 days. On Friday I sawed the watermelon into pieces with the SawzAll (reciprocal saw) that I was cutting windows out with. :o)
Lunch found us either snacking on the lunches we'd made at Camp Hope in the AM, or going out to eat nearby. Midweek we found a nice place half a block down, at the levee on the Mississippi,
where they gave us 15% off, and, more importantly for the ladies, let them come use the restroom, instead of the porta-potty!
Each afternoon, we made a stop for provisions -- water, snacks, medicines, etc. -- usually at the Winn-Dixie or the Walgreens. Then we got home to Camp Hope, showered, did laundry, etc. had dinner and went on to evening plans. We went into New Orleans a couple times, toured the St. Bernard Parish other nights, played games, got on the computer to blog, had youth service, etc., etc. Then we slept at a cool 60* (to cool down the central-air-lacking-site for the heat of the day).
I'd do it again!
Last week of June 2008, anyone?
:o)
(posted by Michael)
I've had the experience I wanted. We spent 5 long (ok, only 5 hours each, but they sure FELT long), hot (avg. 85*), sweaty (smell our clothes! -- or better don't!) days building a house. We started with a "potential" house, just floor work in place -- that is to say, long joists framing where the floor should be. We left with most of a very visible house in place. Getting the roof on would've been a nice touch, but it was clear early in the week about where we'd finish.
We put floor boards on the joists, we built exterior and interior walls, we hoisted the walls into place, we sheathed the walls with plywood, cut out the doors & windows (I got to do most of that!) built and positioned the front porch, covered the exterior with Tyvek, and we would have gotten the windows in, too, if not for a sizing issue the supervisor was unprepared for. We got all the interior walls in place, cut out the doorways, and blocked in most of the walls (so the sheetrockers can get to their work).
Most of the days we headed out around 7:15 after a nice breakfast at Camp Hope. We went first to Musician's Village the first couple days, but from Wednesday, we went straight to our site - having proved our worth as good volunteers who could be relied upon for a solid day's work. Our supervisors Dan & Nora were terrific. The Baptists and Chicago ladies, and the other solo folks, and the later group that joined us were great. We made the kids drink a half-bottle of water at the top and bottom of each hour (after one gave us a scare Monday). At Marianna's suggestion we brought watermelon to the site the last 2 days. On Friday I sawed the watermelon into pieces with the SawzAll (reciprocal saw) that I was cutting windows out with. :o)
Lunch found us either snacking on the lunches we'd made at Camp Hope in the AM, or going out to eat nearby. Midweek we found a nice place half a block down, at the levee on the Mississippi,
where they gave us 15% off, and, more importantly for the ladies, let them come use the restroom, instead of the porta-potty!
Each afternoon, we made a stop for provisions -- water, snacks, medicines, etc. -- usually at the Winn-Dixie or the Walgreens. Then we got home to Camp Hope, showered, did laundry, etc. had dinner and went on to evening plans. We went into New Orleans a couple times, toured the St. Bernard Parish other nights, played games, got on the computer to blog, had youth service, etc., etc. Then we slept at a cool 60* (to cool down the central-air-lacking-site for the heat of the day).
I'd do it again!
Last week of June 2008, anyone?
:o)
Whew!
From: Peter Hendee
Monday morning was the toughest for me. I ran out of fluids and energy. After that, I drank enough water and coke to stay on a steady course. Fortunately we enjoyed much relief from cloud cover during the week. And my sunscreen never let me down.
The showers at Camp Hope looked very sketchy when we arrived Sunday night. (See picture in blog.) Monday they turned out to be WONDERFUL showers - with clean water. We were all hot and sweaty and dirty after a day of work.
I felt like I spent a little time this week waiting for instructions what to do next; looking for my next job. Not that I minded short breaks.
My primary memory is helping nail walls in place. (Other people built the walls.) It was nice to see the house take shape one wall at a time; exterior walls and interior walls. Another memory is people asking me to hold things up high or nail things up high - since I am tall and it saved a trip to get a ladder.
I like the food at Camp Hope but I am not a picky eater. I sometime just had the salad at dinner because we ate full lunches plus heavy snacks - like "crack cookies," an addiction I will let someone else explain.
Camp Hope has a tin roof. Even a light rain sounds like hail. It was a bit startling the first night (woke us up) but I like it.
We left Horizon's name and a chalice painting on the wall at Camp Hope. The building is full of remembrances from volunteers.
Time to "roll-up" this entry.
Monday morning was the toughest for me. I ran out of fluids and energy. After that, I drank enough water and coke to stay on a steady course. Fortunately we enjoyed much relief from cloud cover during the week. And my sunscreen never let me down.
The showers at Camp Hope looked very sketchy when we arrived Sunday night. (See picture in blog.) Monday they turned out to be WONDERFUL showers - with clean water. We were all hot and sweaty and dirty after a day of work.
I felt like I spent a little time this week waiting for instructions what to do next; looking for my next job. Not that I minded short breaks.
My primary memory is helping nail walls in place. (Other people built the walls.) It was nice to see the house take shape one wall at a time; exterior walls and interior walls. Another memory is people asking me to hold things up high or nail things up high - since I am tall and it saved a trip to get a ladder.
I like the food at Camp Hope but I am not a picky eater. I sometime just had the salad at dinner because we ate full lunches plus heavy snacks - like "crack cookies," an addiction I will let someone else explain.
Camp Hope has a tin roof. Even a light rain sounds like hail. It was a bit startling the first night (woke us up) but I like it.
We left Horizon's name and a chalice painting on the wall at Camp Hope. The building is full of remembrances from volunteers.
Time to "roll-up" this entry.
Friday's report
Today's progress was split between before and after lunch. Before, progress was fairly slow, with only work that required ladders getting done. Window blocking, roof blocking, and top sheathing went up steadily, but me and my crippled thumb (guess who) couldn't really use ladders, so it probably just seemed slower to me. After lunch was a whirlwind of activity. The porch framework was finished by yours truly, blocking was finished, and the house got sheathed in Tyvek. We got some new volunteers as well. Around 1:00, we received a huge cloud cover, which relieved us from the pounding heat of the late morning. The humidity didn't go anywhere, though. When we finished, we all took a group picture in front of the house. Personally, even in the face of heat, grime, and pain in various places on my body, I didn't really want to leave. I don't know why, but I do know this: I have never, in my whole life, felt a sense of pride and accomplishment this profound.
By the way, this is Jonathan, and this is my first (and last) post on this blog.
By the way, this is Jonathan, and this is my first (and last) post on this blog.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Day Four
Well, today started off with the lovely beaming rays of the sun. We also did our stretching routine consisting of the hokey pokey. From there we went on to the great art of sheathing the very top of the walls using the intimidating extension ladders. The process was slow, but the work was hard. Today, we started putting on the roof trusses. Even though the nails were stubborn and impossible to take out, some how we managed to do complete some. The mixing of groups has continued to where we all feel like friends. It is really nice to get to meet and talk with this diverse group from Philly, Maine, and Chicago. The days seem to have gone by so fast. It is sad to see that our last day of work is approaching, but it is amazing to see how far our house has come. Tomorrow I am going to give it my all to make this the best house on Plum Street. All I know is that these memories will last forever.
Play power
Today I played with the kids from New Orleans in the largest elementary school in the US... Andrew Jackson elementary they combined 17 schools for over 2000 students. We did a play about a community on mars , made puppets, designed our comic books and finally combined cool whip and kool aid to finger paint. (editorial comment I do note recommend you try this at home) I had an awesome time playing with the kids
After 9-11 the Children's Museum of New York realized that the kids needed a safe place to get away from the stresses at home. They "played it forward " and gave New Orleans some money to start a similar program here. New Orleans changed the name and called their program "Play Power" and after every class they put their arms up in the air showing their big muscles and screaming play power at the top of their lungs. It was very fufilling and fun to play with them. The kids could use your help ... come and volunteer
After 9-11 the Children's Museum of New York realized that the kids needed a safe place to get away from the stresses at home. They "played it forward " and gave New Orleans some money to start a similar program here. New Orleans changed the name and called their program "Play Power" and after every class they put their arms up in the air showing their big muscles and screaming play power at the top of their lungs. It was very fufilling and fun to play with them. The kids could use your help ... come and volunteer
Thursday's report
Wow, it was hot today! The sun was out. We tried multiple applications of sunscreen, but some still got a touch of burn. We call a hydration break every 30 minutes to keep from getting heat sick. Today the internal walls were framed, the front porch got framed, and the most of the rest of the sheathing got installed.
There are about 30 volunteers at our site, and we are partnered with 3 women from Chicago, 12 parishioners and their pastor from Philadelphia, 2 women from Philly that just decided to come down and help. plus individuals from New Youk and other places, Habitat reports over 400 volunteers this week. Camp hope is at 258, low from the usual load.
Last night a local resident, John Wilkes Booth (really!) and Steve took us on a 2 hour tour of Saint Bernard parish. We saw giant alligators and fed them apples, visited the museum of the Canary Island settlers, saw a haunted fireplace, and then drove to the bayou. The area looks like it has been blasted with a nuclear bomb. Dead trees are everywhere, and entire forests are wiped out. 2 years later and there is still furniture and pieces of boats in the trees.
Two years after the hurricane, and they still do not have operating sewers.
The physical damage is immense, but hearing the stories of their human loss was devastating. Many people died not from the hurricane and flood, but from the stress and heartbreak. I asked what we could do against such loss, and John said, "Just tell the world what happened. Remember us."
The camp Director told me that the best thing we were doing down here was letting the local residents know that the world has not forgotten them.
I am coming out if this experience a different person, and I am haunted by what I see.
There are about 30 volunteers at our site, and we are partnered with 3 women from Chicago, 12 parishioners and their pastor from Philadelphia, 2 women from Philly that just decided to come down and help. plus individuals from New Youk and other places, Habitat reports over 400 volunteers this week. Camp hope is at 258, low from the usual load.
Last night a local resident, John Wilkes Booth (really!) and Steve took us on a 2 hour tour of Saint Bernard parish. We saw giant alligators and fed them apples, visited the museum of the Canary Island settlers, saw a haunted fireplace, and then drove to the bayou. The area looks like it has been blasted with a nuclear bomb. Dead trees are everywhere, and entire forests are wiped out. 2 years later and there is still furniture and pieces of boats in the trees.
Two years after the hurricane, and they still do not have operating sewers.
The physical damage is immense, but hearing the stories of their human loss was devastating. Many people died not from the hurricane and flood, but from the stress and heartbreak. I asked what we could do against such loss, and John said, "Just tell the world what happened. Remember us."
The camp Director told me that the best thing we were doing down here was letting the local residents know that the world has not forgotten them.
I am coming out if this experience a different person, and I am haunted by what I see.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
3rd Work Day
Sorry we didn't post yesterday. After a busy day of work, we came home and took a shower. Those showers may look soooo gross but after hours and hours of work, the showers feel wonderful. Yesterday after the showers, we hung out a bit, then ate a small dinner in the dining hall.
Then we loaded in the van with some of the girls' room mates, and heading for Bourbon Street. We ate at local cafes including Cafe Du Monde, and Hard Rock Cafe. There were many adventures such as the things we have to do to get into a bathroom at a fitness club, and fun street performers. We got home sleepy, but dont worry. pictures will be posted.
Today, however, is the third day of working on the corner of Plum and Eagle. We're working on a house. Starting out with only foundation and a frame, the house has all of the exterior walls, most of the interior walls, most of the sheathing, a basic decking, and a lot of hard labor in that house. Today we put up a lot of sheathing and interior walls. After we got all of the larger interior walls built, we put up the final exterior walls and the rest of the smaller interior walls will be put in through the window and door openings of the home.
We were hot, and sweating, and using a portable toilet, none of which was fun, but even still everyone loves it here. Camp Hope is amazingly fun, with paintings all of the place from all the groups that have come down here over the past two years. And its still not enough, you can tell by going down almost any given street in the area to see that the city and its surroundings still have obvious destruction, and a lot of it.
We're glad to be here, and many of us would like to come back.
Will update with pictures later.
The Horizon Hammers
Then we loaded in the van with some of the girls' room mates, and heading for Bourbon Street. We ate at local cafes including Cafe Du Monde, and Hard Rock Cafe. There were many adventures such as the things we have to do to get into a bathroom at a fitness club, and fun street performers. We got home sleepy, but dont worry. pictures will be posted.
Today, however, is the third day of working on the corner of Plum and Eagle. We're working on a house. Starting out with only foundation and a frame, the house has all of the exterior walls, most of the interior walls, most of the sheathing, a basic decking, and a lot of hard labor in that house. Today we put up a lot of sheathing and interior walls. After we got all of the larger interior walls built, we put up the final exterior walls and the rest of the smaller interior walls will be put in through the window and door openings of the home.
We were hot, and sweating, and using a portable toilet, none of which was fun, but even still everyone loves it here. Camp Hope is amazingly fun, with paintings all of the place from all the groups that have come down here over the past two years. And its still not enough, you can tell by going down almost any given street in the area to see that the city and its surroundings still have obvious destruction, and a lot of it.
We're glad to be here, and many of us would like to come back.
Will update with pictures later.
The Horizon Hammers
Monday, June 25, 2007
Day Two...First Day of Work
Wow
What a day? Today was our first day of work, and man did we work.
We woke up VERY bright and early, quickly ate breakfast, packed our lunches and were on the road. The group got to a neighborhood with nice, crisp new looking houses on one side, and houses that obviously had been hit by the flood.
On the houses that have not been renovated yet there are X's.
On the top opening of the X is the date, the left is the group that scavenged the house, right is number of people found alive and bottom is number of bodies.
We have yet to see an X with a number on the bottom, but I'm sure the time will come.
Anyway, we got there and got a safety briefing then were assigned to Plum street. Our leaders name was Dan, a nice guy with a big tool belt. When we got to the sight, there was a lot with concrete foundation, cinder block pillars, and a frame for the floor. No plywood decking, that was our job. While AJ, Hannah, Philip, Jane, and some other people from other groups were under the frame checking for nails that had gone through.
Everyone else was on top, putting glue on the frame, placing and hammering the sheets into place, sometimes cutting, then nailing them on.
The frames for the walls were already built, but not on the house yet. We rose ONE portion of the walls. We are almost done with the flooring, and we hope to get assigned to Plum Street some more so we can see the progress. Already was have given someone a basic floor.
It was hot, the sun was beating down, and the humidity didn't help at all, but the only complaints herd were about making the youth drink water. Over all as a group, we drank over 48 bottles of water. We know we are working for a noble and honorable cause, and as much fun as we are having doing all of this, we could not wait to return to Camp Hope to take the showers that looked so gross just yesterday.
We're having fun and helping people, what more could be ask?
Thanks for reading,
The Horizon Hammers
What a day? Today was our first day of work, and man did we work.
We woke up VERY bright and early, quickly ate breakfast, packed our lunches and were on the road. The group got to a neighborhood with nice, crisp new looking houses on one side, and houses that obviously had been hit by the flood.
On the houses that have not been renovated yet there are X's.
On the top opening of the X is the date, the left is the group that scavenged the house, right is number of people found alive and bottom is number of bodies.
We have yet to see an X with a number on the bottom, but I'm sure the time will come.
Anyway, we got there and got a safety briefing then were assigned to Plum street. Our leaders name was Dan, a nice guy with a big tool belt. When we got to the sight, there was a lot with concrete foundation, cinder block pillars, and a frame for the floor. No plywood decking, that was our job. While AJ, Hannah, Philip, Jane, and some other people from other groups were under the frame checking for nails that had gone through.
Everyone else was on top, putting glue on the frame, placing and hammering the sheets into place, sometimes cutting, then nailing them on.
The frames for the walls were already built, but not on the house yet. We rose ONE portion of the walls. We are almost done with the flooring, and we hope to get assigned to Plum Street some more so we can see the progress. Already was have given someone a basic floor.
It was hot, the sun was beating down, and the humidity didn't help at all, but the only complaints herd were about making the youth drink water. Over all as a group, we drank over 48 bottles of water. We know we are working for a noble and honorable cause, and as much fun as we are having doing all of this, we could not wait to return to Camp Hope to take the showers that looked so gross just yesterday.
We're having fun and helping people, what more could be ask?
Thanks for reading,
The Horizon Hammers
Sunday, June 24, 2007
We're here!!
So, finally, news from those crazy Unitarians.
we experienced a fun and LONG 10 hour car ride, including dark scary bathrooms, songs about platypuses, and hinky pinky. And something fuzzy on Jonathan's burger? We're still not really sure what thats was. But we're here, and thats what matters.
Getting here was interesting, once we were in New Orleans, we had trouble finding where we will be staying. Camp Hope is the name...and changing people's lives is the game.
Its wonderful here. Theres paintings all over the place, from all the different groups. We're in an old elementary school.
---------------
It's exciting, hopeful, depressing, daunting, and inspiring at the same time. One thing I noticed in the videos and pictures (and neighborhoods) was the extent that race leads to separation between people here. Not at Camp Hope, but in Louisiana, New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish.
We're all settled in, unpacked, and ready for our first service together.
Gotta go!
----------------
Hey, y'all, just wanted you to know that it's still a mess here... just cuz the news isn't reporting on the conditions here does NOT mean that it's all better. It's truly shameful that our country has allowed this to drag on this long.
We just wanted to tell you guys that we're excited to be here.
Its not just one person typing, a few of our group members are all posting, not just Hannah.
Well, goodbye for now!
We will be updating tomorrow, our first day of work!!
The Horizon Hammers
we experienced a fun and LONG 10 hour car ride, including dark scary bathrooms, songs about platypuses, and hinky pinky. And something fuzzy on Jonathan's burger? We're still not really sure what thats was. But we're here, and thats what matters.
Getting here was interesting, once we were in New Orleans, we had trouble finding where we will be staying. Camp Hope is the name...and changing people's lives is the game.
Its wonderful here. Theres paintings all over the place, from all the different groups. We're in an old elementary school.
---------------
It's exciting, hopeful, depressing, daunting, and inspiring at the same time. One thing I noticed in the videos and pictures (and neighborhoods) was the extent that race leads to separation between people here. Not at Camp Hope, but in Louisiana, New Orleans, and Jefferson Parish.
We're all settled in, unpacked, and ready for our first service together.
Gotta go!
----------------
Hey, y'all, just wanted you to know that it's still a mess here... just cuz the news isn't reporting on the conditions here does NOT mean that it's all better. It's truly shameful that our country has allowed this to drag on this long.
We just wanted to tell you guys that we're excited to be here.
Its not just one person typing, a few of our group members are all posting, not just Hannah.
Well, goodbye for now!
We will be updating tomorrow, our first day of work!!
The Horizon Hammers
Sunday, June 17, 2007
This is the first post
Okay, so we're new to this.
We wanted to test it out before we got to New Orleans. We're Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church from Carrollton Texas. We're a group of 12-13 people, including 4 or five youth from the church's youth program. Our church is big on helping others, so when my dad (Frank) found out about this program, he was all for it. We contacted the church and got a small group together.
The group will be leaving on Sunday June 24. Our return is on Saturday June 30.
We are all really looking forward to our trip (and some are a little nervous)!
While living in Camp Hope, we will try to keep this posted updated every day.
Tata for now!
Hannah Vaughan
We wanted to test it out before we got to New Orleans. We're Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church from Carrollton Texas. We're a group of 12-13 people, including 4 or five youth from the church's youth program. Our church is big on helping others, so when my dad (Frank) found out about this program, he was all for it. We contacted the church and got a small group together.
The group will be leaving on Sunday June 24. Our return is on Saturday June 30.
We are all really looking forward to our trip (and some are a little nervous)!
While living in Camp Hope, we will try to keep this posted updated every day.
Tata for now!
Hannah Vaughan
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