Today was our first full day in New Orleans, LA. I had never been to Louisiana before, so today was very exciting and full of new experiences. We arrived to Whitman plantation in awe of the gorgeous weather, architecture, and landscapes. As we started the tour, it was incredible to learn about the lives of the slaves not only this plantation, but also on many others throughout the south. I felt honored to be able to wash and weed the beautiful memorials at the plantation which commemorate the thousands of men and women who endured lifelong suffering as slaves. We had the opportunity to meet the owner of the plantation, John Cummings III, whose wise words reminded us that many Americans today often forget these people who literally built our country.

Next, we stopped for a short visit to Evergreen plantation, another gorgeous estate with a similarly grim past of slavery. The Tarantino movie, “Django Unchained,” was filmed there, and we were sure to take plenty of pictures under the beautiful tree canopy.

Finally, we began the hour-long car ride back to Camp Hope. On our way there, we took a tour of the Lower 9th Ward. This turned out to be a really moving experience for me. It is incredible that over ten years after hurricane Katrina, so much of this impoverished neighborhood is still destroyed. Although so many volunteers have cleaned up, donated, and rebuilt, its just impossible to recover from a disaster like Katrina. Many empty lots are marked with a sign bearing the address of a house which once stood there. Waterlines are still visible on residences where it took almost a month for the floodwaters to drain. Fallen trees, debris, and demolished houses sit sagging in the Louisiana heat. One of the most profound moments for me was standing beneath and touching the levee which broke under the force of the hurricane waters. It really makes you realize how little control people have over nature. People who lived through Katrina are changed. As they say in New Orleans, there’s no B.C. and A.D. here, only before Katrina and after Katrina.

Tonight, while eating dinner here at Camp Hope, I realized something as I looked around the huge cafeteria filled with young volunteers just like us. New Orleans endured one of the greatest disasters of our generation, and although it may seem like a lost cause or an afterthought to some people, it isn’t. This city has come so far in recovery thanks to the local citizens and volunteers. There are still so many people that care about the amazing history, culture, and people of this city. That is why we, and about 250 other young people are here at Camp Hope just this week alone. We are ready to do our part to help NOLA and today was just the first day! I think I speak for all of my Bear Breaks friends when I say that we are so excited for what this week will bring!