Local volunteers give back to New Orleans

Three years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the city is still far from what it used to be. As the recovery and restoration effort continues, a group of women from the West Island area is flying down to Louisiana today to help.

“This is really just through word-of-mouth, through friends, and we got ourselves a group of 11 women,” said Carole Tessier, a St. Lazare resident and organizer of the trip.

During the week-long trip dubbed 'The Big Easy Give 2008,' the women will team up with Habitat for Humanity, a Christian housing ministry that mobilizes volunteers to help build affordable homes for families in need. Tessier said she’s been told to expect an intense workload.

“Of course when you’re in the French Quarter, everything seems fine,” she said, referring to the city’s oldest and most well-known neighborhood. “But just when you go on the outskirts, you notice that it looks as though nothing’s been done.”

The idea for what Tessier calls “conscious travel” stemmed from a website she launched last April. The website, lawofattractionstuff.com, is based on Rhonda Byrne’s film-turned-book, “The Secret”.

“It’s a site that you can go visit that gives you information about the fundamentals of the law of attraction. It also talks a lot about the power of gratitude and giving,” she said.

While building new homes is the priority for the local group of volunteers, they will take some time out to enjoy the enduring charm of The Big Easy.

“Besides working with Habitat, on the weekend we’re going to be doing some sightseeing,” said Tessier.

The women plan to wear T-Shirts saying: “Team Canada Supports New Orleans Habitat for Humanity.” Habitat for Humanity has expressed deep gratitude for such gestures, said Tessier.

“They were saying how thrilled they are with the support they’ve been getting with Canadians,” she said. “It seems like they really love us there!”

Tessier believes the journey down south will give the group of women a new perspective on life.

“What we’re all really looking forward to is just doing our share and to bring awareness,” she said. “Some people don’t have it as well as we do and we have a lot to be grateful for.”