Service Learning Experience

I was very nervous going in to New Orleans as I had no clue what I was getting in to. But from the moment we started from Ohare, there was a stange enthusiasm in the group. Most of us immediately connected with each other and it felt like I was travelling with a bunch of friends.


New Orleans is a very unique city. The place where we lived for seven days, "Bienville House", is located in the heart of French Quarters. We walked around French Quarters a lot and most people felt like they were walking on some movie sets, as it has narrow streets with aritstic buildings from time of French and Spanish invasion. We did tour the ninth ward and other areas that were badly affected by Hurricane Katrina. There is wide spread disparty that seemed obvious in New orleans - people are either rich or poor. Middle class seems to have migrated out of New Orleans after Katrina.


Our assigment was to help the school Harriet Tubman, reorganize to start in August. This school was an interesting site. It looked huge and beautiful from outside. But inside was a different story. Everything was rotten, messy and just dumped around in the classrooms. Teams of Voulnteers like us from diffrent areas, spent numerous hours together to help paint, regorganize and set up the classrooms in the school.


My experience with the locals of New orleans, the community in general and my newly formed friends was amazing. The highlight of our Trip was the Zoline family. Robert and Jeff Zoline were very bright and easy kids to hang out with. While Jeff was our offical guide and photographer, Robert was the entertainer and a friend, who made everyone's day with his questions. The best of all was their Dad, Ken Zoline, who everyone nicknamed as Pappa bear because he was everywhere looking out and protecting us all. I would never forget this experience as I heard so many stories from the local's as how their life has changed after Katrina. I even met up with a friends mom who lives in New orleans and never knew she drove 21 hours with all the traffic alone to reach Houston when they had to evacuate New Orleans. . It was wonderful experience. Thank you to all who were a part of my experience.