It's been a great couple of days here in New Orleans. We hit the ground running on Monday morning with 4 teams going to different work sites. A small, but mighty group made to trip into Pearlington, MS to finish a job that 5 of us started on a trip in May. It was great for our group to be able to finish the project that we had started, yet disheartening to know that the electrician, who has already been paid is still making excuses for not finishing his job so that the family can get into their home.
One team was working on Rampart Street on a home that was donated to Project Homecoming. It's in bad shape, but when finished, this former, shotgun style duplex will be an amazing single family home that will be sold to a family with an income below the poverty level. Monday was spent priming the exterior, removing some trees that are threatening the foundation and jacking up the house so that it can be leveled. Before the rain came today, three footings were poured for the foundation.
The home on Spain Street had several projects going. Yesterday, shelves were installed in the bathroom, the kitchen cabinets were finished, tile was caulked and some insulation was put in under the house. Today, the leak in the bathroom was fixed, the bathtub surround was created, the family room was painted and more grouting was done. Because our group was working inside, we were able to work for the entire day.
The group on Benton Street is putting siding on a former grocery store. The store sits on a site that is being used to teach at risk youth to farm. Besides raising crops they also have a chicken coup. The goal is for the building to be used for an after school program for children in the neighborhood.
We are hoping that the rain holds off tomorrow and we are able to get a lot more done.
Please feel free to send us messages and/or make comments. We would love to hear from our friends and family back home!
