Hi, my name is Mina. I’m a sophomore at Bucknell and I’m majoring in Management. I’m really excited to go down to New Orleans to help out with the Katrina recovery effort. What motivated me the most to look into helping out was the fact that my brother goes to school and lives in the city. Although my life was not nearly as affected as those who lost their families, friends, homes, jobs, and ways of life, Katrina did have an impact on me, however minor in comparison. Having this connection to New Orleans, I became aware of the need to help rebuild the city and aid businesses and residents to get back on their feet.
I haven’t been back to New Orleans since the hurricane hit, but I do remember how beautiful and full of culture the city was before. It will be interesting to see what parts of the city have changed since the last time I’ve been there and what aspects have remained the same. St. Bernard’s Parish, where we will be working, was one of the hardest areas to be hit, so I expect the damage to be shocking. I’m looking forward to going to the sites, working on the houses, and meeting people who live in New Orleans. I think it will be a great experience to grow from and gain a whole new perspective first-hand of the hardships that these people have, and continue, to face.
