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News From 91.3 KUWS
Northland College students spend part of Christmas break in New Orleans
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12/27/2006 |
Some Northland College students in Ashland are hoping to spread a little holiday cheer before Christmas in the Big Easy. Danielle Kaeding reports.
Nine Northland College students left their homes and families Dec. 15 for New Orleans. They’ll continue rebuilding efforts within the city. Northland College Senior Barbara Richter of Ashland says what better way to celebrate the season of giving then to lend a helping hand. “I believe strongly in just people helping people everyday get by and get through. There are so many things that need to get done in this rebuilding process, and it’s going to take decades. But we need to try. We can’t just turn our backs on these communities and abandon them.” This is Richter’s fourth time visiting the ninth ward in New Orleans—one of the areas hardest hit by Katrina. She says that people are glad for any assistance they can get. “The government has provided such a minimal response. Going down and talking to residents, it becomes clear that Katrina was not a major natural disaster but a major human catastrophe. The governmental bodies that we have in place to protect us like the police and the emts and the fire department and everybody that was working so hard…they just were not ready.” Richter says her heart goes out to those trying to rebuild their lives. “Everytime I go down the situation has changed so much. Being there for a week and working in the ninth ward and bearing witness to the stories that you hear and the destruction that’s all around you still…it really ages you. All of the things that they’ve been through to come this far—it’s a constant inspiration everyday.” Richter says they'll be home in time for Christmas.
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