urban | travel | travelholics | adventure | off the beaten path | vacation
The Gift of Volunteer Travel: Rebuilding Nawlins
There’s nothing like sitting on the porch with a nice cold beer and a bag of crawfish, watching the pedestrians walk by, each offering a “good evening” salute as they go about their business. The air is so humid that it appears almost as a haze in the air. One might see the evening lights of ships trailing down the Mississippi. Perhaps the beer will put you to sleep until about 11:00, just enough time to get dressed and explore the nooks and crevices of the city until the wee hours of the morning.
It’s hard to imagine that the vibrant town of Nawlins we once knew will never be the same. While the assurance that “everything happens for a reason”, provides comfort that the city will hopefully surpass its previous state, this will not happen if we continue to close our eyes and pray that it goes away. Travel is a wonderful escape from reality but there is a time when we must pay tithes to the travel angels. Now, three years after the storm we seldom see news programs or magazine articles regarding the status of New Orleans. Sadly, crime and homelessness in Nawlins is at an all time high. Now, the 9th Ward and downtown alike are brimming with tents and shack homes inhabited by elderly, mentally ill, former professionals, and families. Why not give the gift of revival to a city that has contributed Jazz music, Creole delicacies, brass bands and the second lining to the world? The birthplace of musicians Louie Armstrong, the Marsalis Brothers, Irma Thomas, the Meters, Master P, and the lists continue.
The New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village developed by Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., is committed to not only rebuilding but also honoring the cultural and artistic heritage that has always breathed life into the city. Organizations such as the Habitat for Humanity, ACORN, SPCA, and Food Not Bombs, sponsor programs to assist in rebuilding homes and providing food services.
“The only way to make progress is to be progress”. Black Traveler’s Network will be sponsoring a “Rebuild Nawlins” group trip this coming February. For those interested please email the Black Traveler’s Network page.
Please click the link below for a detailed list of programs.
Rebuild Nawlins
It’s hard to imagine that the vibrant town of Nawlins we once knew will never be the same. While the assurance that “everything happens for a reason”, provides comfort that the city will hopefully surpass its previous state, this will not happen if we continue to close our eyes and pray that it goes away. Travel is a wonderful escape from reality but there is a time when we must pay tithes to the travel angels. Now, three years after the storm we seldom see news programs or magazine articles regarding the status of New Orleans. Sadly, crime and homelessness in Nawlins is at an all time high. Now, the 9th Ward and downtown alike are brimming with tents and shack homes inhabited by elderly, mentally ill, former professionals, and families. Why not give the gift of revival to a city that has contributed Jazz music, Creole delicacies, brass bands and the second lining to the world? The birthplace of musicians Louie Armstrong, the Marsalis Brothers, Irma Thomas, the Meters, Master P, and the lists continue.
The New Orleans Habitat Musicians Village developed by Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., is committed to not only rebuilding but also honoring the cultural and artistic heritage that has always breathed life into the city. Organizations such as the Habitat for Humanity, ACORN, SPCA, and Food Not Bombs, sponsor programs to assist in rebuilding homes and providing food services.
“The only way to make progress is to be progress”. Black Traveler’s Network will be sponsoring a “Rebuild Nawlins” group trip this coming February. For those interested please email the Black Traveler’s Network page.
Please click the link below for a detailed list of programs.
Rebuild Nawlins
Comment
© 2009 Created by Blacktravelersnetwork on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
You need to be a member of The Black Traveler's Network to add comments!
Join this Ning Network