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| Part of Katrina's destruction in New Orleans' Ninth Ward |
Dwight E. Roth, Hesston College, March 20, 2006
During the week of Sunday, March 12 through Saturday, March 18, I had the profound privilege of being part of the MDS unit in New Orleans in its response to Hurricane Katrina. It was one of the most profound experiences of my life. During this week I shed tears of sadness for the human tragedy that occurred with the flood and wind damage and I shed tears of joy in witnessing the triumph of the human spirit.
In my stay in New Orleans I was moved by the compassion of the Roman Catholic Sisters of the Holy Family, a black religious community, on whose property MDS in New Orleans was housed since mid-January. I was overwhelmed by the miles of destruction seen across the city. I tried, with little success, to comprehend the cost of human lives and the emotional scars that countless people are feelings because of the damage caused by Katrina. Yet within this tragedy, many New Orleanians talk of their spiritual growth and optimism as they recover and rebuild. I was amazed by the diversity of the MDSers and how we worked hard together in a productive, learning, close-knit, spiritual, and fun environment.
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| Dwight Roth with Sr. M. de Chantel St. Julien |
I was in New Orleans for a variety of reasons. First, I wanted to experience what it means to be part of the MDS in this wounded city. Also, I was there to see what it might mean for Hesston College to have an ongoing presence there given the long-term nature of the rebuilding of New Orleans. The Hesston presence would certainly include the college's new Disaster Management Program but also could take other forms with students and faculty being there in a variety of roles. In addition, the Hesston College Lifelong Education and Development (L.E.A.D) is in the early stages of creating Katrina Chronicles: Life Stories of Katrina Golden Agers. Katrina Chronicles is being developed with the cooperation of Bob Zehr who lives in Des Allemandes, Louisiana. Bob served as pastor in the Mennonite congregation there for many years. There is also the possibility that these Chronicles will be done in cooperation with the Sisters of the Holy Family given their long time, extensive care of older adults in New Orleans.
The Katrina Chronicles could be helpful to older adults in the Gulf States area. Most older adults need and want to tell their life stories. This life review, say some anthropologists, is found in all cultures around the world. Life reviews for Katrina Golden Agers could be especially useful given the loss they have experienced because of the hurricane. It is hoped that Chronicles develop into a webpage, articles, and perhaps a book.
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| Bob Zehr |
Mennonite Disaster Service as a response to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans began last fall. From October until mid-January MDS was housed at the Amor Viviennte Church in Metairie not an MCC in Metairie situated in the west side of the city. In January MDS moved to Gentilly, a region of the city just south of Lake Pontchartrain. The move was made for two reasons: one, the housing in Gentilly allows for about 35 workers at one time, a larger number than was possible in Metairie. Also, most of the work done by MDS is located in Gentilly and reduced the driving time to work sites.
Gentilly is one of several distinct geographical regions in the city of New Orleans. The breaking of Lake Pontchartrain's levees is one reason flood water engulfed much of the city after the hurricane. This flooding caused almost of Gentilly's schools, colleges/universities, businesses, churches and other social institutions to close. In this largely middle class neighborhood, most families had to evacuate because of Katrina. A sign of new life is the rejuvenation of the many beautiful forms of vegetation that typify Gentilly. Birds are returning to the area and their sweet songs symbolic hope of the area's restoration, however long it might take.
In Gentilly, MDS is housed in St. John Berchman Child-Care Center. The center is a three story red brick building located across the street from Dillard University, a faith-based, primarily African-American institution. The child-care center is closed for several months due to Katrina's flood damage on the first floor where the center has been located. Within 200 yards of this MDS place of lodging is St. John Berchman's Manor, a seven story building constructed by HUD which, until Katrina, housed older adults. It is hoped that by this summer the manor will reopen. On this campus located between the child-care center and the manor, several FEMA trailers house the Sisters of the Holy Family. The sisters own both the child-care center and the manor. Along with the place of lodging the sisters have provided MDS tables, chairs, and other basic necessities including a spacious kitchen and dining room.
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