Too much devastation

March 24

            I continue to look over many of the transcripts in the NOLA project and notice that people who volunteered to help re-build New Orleans originally were just curious about the devastation that Katrina had left behind. The hurricane slammed into New Orleans in 2005 and most of the volunteers interviewed were in New Orleans in 2008. A recurring theme with the volunteers was their shock at still seeing so much destruction upon their arrival. More than one volunteer stated that they thought in three years more progress would have been seen in the surrounding areas around the city center. Many volunteers were taken aback by the lack of progress and extreme need the people waiting for homes exhibited.

            It was a sobering realization by many of the volunteers and many would admit that it would require them to volunteer for more than just a week to make a difference. This lack of progress led many volunteers to quit their stable and well paid jobs. The volunteers felt that  helping so many families return to a normal life would garner a much bigger reward than a paycheck ever could.