My Portfolio of Experiences

I never thought I would enjoy a school trip as much as I did. Similarly, I never thought I would love spending a week with strangers as much as I did. During winter break, I was given the opportunity to travel to New Orleans for a week and work with TrUE at Texas Tech University, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans (YRNO) and Ms. Gloria’s garden. It ended up being a trip I forgot I signed up for but will never forget the experiences I had.

We worked primarily with the organization Youth Rebuilding New Orleans. They were created by high schoolers, who, after the hurricane wanted to help the community. They then worked together and with volunteers to start rebuilding homes that were destroyed. Uniquely they sell them at the price it cost them to make to local teachers. Now, Youth Rebuilding New Orleans is able to better the community by promoting water-resistant rebuilding and allowing the local teachers opportunities they otherwise couldn’t get. Additionally, they are able to inspire and teach other youth through the employment of volunteers. In fact, their mission statement is “YRNO engages the local youth in the betterment of the New Orleans community.” That alone is incredibly inspiring to me. The care these people put into their volunteers is amazing. They went so far as to create a bunkhouse for volunteers to stay. In doing all of that they grow the students minds and help them grow.

That’s what they did for me, at least. I left that home with a clearer understanding of how to use construction tools and complete construction projects I wouldn’t be able to do before. I was a complete beginner entering and they welcomed me with open arms and understanding minds. Additionally, we got to work in the beautiful Ms. Gloria’s garden. I can truthfully say that I have never seen anything like that place. It was this insanely colorful garden with yellow brick roads and cucumber tables in the middle of a bustling city. It stood out in a way many can’t imagine unless they go there. I believe the people that visit her garden remember it for a while. Partly because of the colors, partly because of the food, and partly because of the vibrant personality and kind hospitality brought by Ms. Gloria. This garden was something that could not have been recreated. Ms. Gloria brought a vibrant personality and New Orleans hospitality that make the community and every volunteer that came remember their time.

I particularly love how much this garden breaks down stereotypes. Everything on the news about New Orleans is crime related, drug related, etc. But nothing is ever mentioned about the many places such as Gloria’s garden. Nothing is ever mentioned about the community that had been built around a small, colorful, plot of land. Nothing is ever mentioned about the hundreds of local volunteers and national volunteers that come to help and do great work they enjoy. Lastly, nothing is ever mentioned of the talent of the friends and volunteers of Ms. Gloria’s. Many of the artwork in the garden deserved to be in museums, and it was created and donated solely out of the loving hearts of the artists. This garden single handedly shows the falsehood in many of the stereotypes we hear.

That leads me into what impacted me most about this trip: the people. I walked into this trip knowing no one, knowing no one’s age, grade, major, or even name. I walked into the construction site knowing no one, or how to use a hammer. I walked out feeling as though I left a family. Why? Honestly, it could have gone the complete opposite. I could have hated everyone I met. It was essentially a random pick of people, so how did I leave feeling as though I left the most perfect group of people? I don’t quite know; however, I have a few hypotheses.

For starters, everyone working on that worksite had a common goal of helping and getting something done. Additionally, everyone who went on the trip wanted to go on the trip because they either liked New Orleans or volunteering or both (like me). I believe that common goal of good deeds is what kept us happy and together. If we just had beignets and explored the French Quarter, I don’t believe there would have been the same bond. When humans help each other, it makes them happy, and thus working better together. This group specifically had a common trait in that few of us knew each other: and thus, went into something willing to meet new people.

Regardless, I met people I never thought I would meet. In fact, I probably never would have crossed paths with them if it wasn’t for this trip because we were all so different. However, my favorite part of the trip will always be the dinners, because everyone came together, and shared stories and I learned more about people and personalities than I ever could have anywhere else. It also pained me to leave the people I worked with. They all had personalities I couldn’t find anywhere else. It hurt me to leave New Orleans: something I didn’t think would happen. That to me is always the sign of a good trip. However, coming back I have set new goals for my upcoming career.

Entering the trip, I knew I was entering it to learn more about how volunteer organizations function: in order to make an organization of my own. I learned, however, that is a task that I couldn’t do on my own. Each organization required the help of many people and the support of the community, even Ms. Gloria’s garden. Therefore, I know it will take time to find where exactly my business could fit in the Texas community. As of now I will be looking into volunteering/looking at the local Habitat for Humanity. That will replace my job now, as I believe I have more use and passion in this field. I feel blessed to have gone to New Orleans. I am honored to have done what I did. I am honored to have met the people I did. I hold this trip in a high regard in my portfolio of experiences.

-Bily