Last week, Oxford resident and elementary school teacher Barbara Johnston spent her summer vacation painting, painting, and then painting some more.
No, she wasn’t re-decorating a room in her home. She was helping Hurricane Katrina-torn schools in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans get ready for their doors to open this fall.
Johnston, and many other teachers from around the nation, worked with the Katrina Corps volunteer group to re-paint the John Dibert Elementary School, the Sarah T. Reed Middle School and the John McDonogh High School.
All of the schools had been gutted, inspected for mold and rebuilt before Johnston arrived.
Beginning a little after 8 a.m., Johnston and the others would be caravaned to each school for a full days work. After a quick lunch break, the crew would hit the paint brushes and rollers until 3 p.m.
Each school had different school colors, so Johnston worked with a bright color palette of greens, yellows, reds and blues on walls and window frames.
‘We put the finishing touches on things,? she said. ‘It felt really gratifying to do that and to be able to open more schools.?
As of last week, 39 of the 50 schools the Katrina Corps hoped to be opened were, which is a tremendous step in the city’s revitilization.
‘I think the most devastating thing to see was the separation of the families,? Johnston said. ‘So many kids had to go away to another school while their parents were trying to re-build their homes.?
The volunteer group did have one day where they could visit areas ravished by the 2005 storm. Johnston saw the ghost town-like streets, high water lines on the sides of houses and even holes in roofs where residents tried to escape the rising waters.
‘It was really spooky,? she said. ‘It was just devastating and a few of us were even crying.?
While out and about in the Big Easy, Johnston said the amount of southern hospitality and gratefulness was immeasurable.
‘They’re just so thankful down there for any help,? she said. ‘They feel everyone’s forgotten them.?
Johnston said if needed, she would definitly donate her time again next year.
To volunteer your time with the Katrina Corps and help open up more schools, visit them online at www.katrinacorp.org.