In the Aftermath of Katrina

To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: DOWNLOAD

Who would have thought that an international worker-to-worker exchange program in Havana, Cuba would lead me to Louisiana? As odd as that sounds, Cuba is my connection to New Orleans, as it was there that I met Beth Butler, the chief organizer for ACORN, now Association for Community Reform, who also happened to be in Havana. Over bananas at breakfast, we soon bonded and continued to keep in touch over the next two years. On August 26, 2005 I got word from Beth, now back in New Orleans, that they would be evacuating their home and would not have access to the Net for a while. It could be a few days or so before they returned to their home, as a hurricane was on its way. Little did they, or we, realize that it would be the one that everyone feared. On August 29, Katrina, a category 5 hurricane, swept across the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, forever changing the landscapes and lives of the residents.

After becoming aware of the mass devastation, I knew I needed to help. I first established a t-shirt campaign, in which t-shirts emblazoned with “Canada Cares” were sold and the proceeds sent to aid the victims of Katrina. This modest campaign of caring evolved into the “BC to Bernard Book Project” where blues musicians from around the province met at the celebrated Yale Hotel in Vancouver to raise money and books to aid in the rebuilding of the pre-K – 12 Unified School in St. Bernard Parish, one of the most heavily affected parishes of New Orleans. This resulted in over $4000 in books being sent to the Unified School, which was doggedly opening a mere eleven weeks after Katrina struck.

Finally, after conversations with teachers here and communications with teachers in New Orleans, we connected more than 65 pairs of pen pals and gave them the opportunity to learn about each other and to share their experiences about Katrina. Letters from here were sent to the penpals in New Orleans inquiring about how their lives had changed since Katrina, and reminding them that someone outside cares. Poignant letters of thanks and shared experiences were sent in return. Many of these children continue to write to each other.

After continued communication and some new contacts with teachers from Andrew Jackson Elementary, I decided to take my charity efforts a step further, and I planned a trip to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast to witness the Katrina aftermath first-hand. Because of my interest in art and a karmic connection to Connecticut artist JoAnn Moran (no relation), and her “Home Sweet Home” Banner Project, I found myself in New Orleans, fifteen months after the devastation.

I spent my first five days in New Orleans with JoAnn and three other artists touring many areas while taking numerous photos and talking to individuals. We also distributed some 150 banners that caring students from Connecticut and Burnaby, BC designed and painted, to various individuals, families and organizations we met during our travels. Most individuals and families we gave banners to were just regular folks who, even fifteen months after the fact, needed to know that there were still people “out there” who understood their plight and wanted to help. These experiences were both inspiring and upsetting, as the resilience of the human spirit was sorely tried and the devastating physical damage of the place itself was truly unimaginable.

Among my experiences there, I was given the gifts of meeting with and talking to the pen pals from Andrew Jackson School, and discovering some amazing people from many walks of life who have sustained such hardship and trauma but have somehow found a way to move forward. I, too, got a taste of some of the aftermath of Katrina by spending several nights in a Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer in eastern St. Bernard with teacher Wendy Gonzales, where she and her family are living while rebuilding their damaged home.

So many folks I met were eager to share their stories of hardships and wanted others to know what they are going through. So, keeping my promise to get the word out, I am now in the process of coordinating talks and presentations. I also have a photographic exhibit that is available for display.

If you are interested in a presentation or exhibit about “A Look at Louisiana: One Year After the Storm” please contact Diane Moran directly for further details at moraninthemoon@shaw.ca. For further information about the work of JoAnn Moran and her banner project, please go to www.republicart.org.

Diane Moran is a visual artist committed to arts initiatives, and spends many hours educating young people about global issues and international awareness through art. Over the past 7 years, Diane has shown her work at a variety of locations and events. She has been intimately involved in a few international initiatives such as the Home Sweet Home Banner project, BC to Bernard Book Project, Hands of Help Canada Cares campaign for Katrina relief in Louisiana, and the Hands Across Havana, a Cuban art project. She has been an Artist in Residence for Second Street School, as well as an Artist Resource for the Burnaby School District in BC. Diane’s latest passion is facilitating art workshops coupled with humanitarian projects.