Today was our first encounter with the general Greater New Orlean Community. Our group had the opportunity to visit the Seventh Ward which was greatly devastated by the flooding that ensued as a result of Katrina. This area of New Orleans differed from the communities we had previously visited by both race and socio economic status. The Seventh Ward is primarily occupied by lower class African Americans. We were given a tour of the neighborhood by Pastor Bruce Davenport and his wife both members and religious leaders of this neighborhood. As we drove down the streets of the Seventh Ward we encountered very little life. Empty lots and abandoned houses lined both sides of the neighborhoods streets, each with a story. A once vibrant community now remained desolate.
Anyone passing through the Seventh Ward would view the rebuilding of this area as hopeless and so did I at first. Pastor Davenport shed a different light onto the situation. Our group had the opportunity to partake in community service this afternoon. We were split into three groups. One group painted the outside of Pastor Davenport's youth center, the second group sheet rocked Pastor Davenport's home and the third group visited isolated elderly in the neighborhood. I was privilaged to be one of the individuals who met with the isolated elderly. It was inspiring to speak to these individuals who had lost their homes, their neighbors, their communities and in a sense their independence but still managed to maintain a positive outlook and life and their community being rebuilt. This experience not only informed me of the immense help still needed in rebuilding New Orleans but also taught me a personal valuable lesson that there is so much to live for even in such a devastating situation. We all have difficult times in our life andmany times we are tempted to throw in the towel. These elderly people as well as the city of New Orleans in general has given me insight and strenth that no matter how hard life might get I can never give up, we can never give up. I will take this lesson learned with me forever.
Written By: Gaby Abramson
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Dear Gaby,
Thank you for your heartfelt experience and comments.
I too was moved by my volunteer work for the Davenports. I helped to put up the sheetrock at their home, and it was such a wonderful, uplifting feeling to be able to help them a little and work so well together as a team for a good cause after all the work they have been doing for their congregants and community during the most difficult of circumstances- razing of the housing, homeless congregants, bullets whizzing by according to Pastor Davenport while he worked with his congregants outside of his church, bodies floating by his church during the flooding, and an average of 3 to 4 killings per day, also according to Pastor Davenport.
I can only pray and hope for continued rebuilding physically, materially, and spiritually for the Davenports' community and more help from the government as well as the volunteer sector. All of New Orleanians should be helped back on their feet. Poverty should not keep their neighborhoods blighted, houses boarded up, and hopes dashed. As Pastor and Mrs. Davenport said, they help to give their congregants and community hope again.
Paul Charney
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