Getting Ready

Hi,
I'm Rebecca Leung, the AmeriCorps VISTA working with Karen Roth this summer to coordinate the NLU service-learning trips to NOLA. I've only been at NLU for a month, but so much has happened in that short amount of time. The second week of June, I traveled down to New Orleans with Karen and Todd Price to scope out the situation of the schools, and plan for the upcoming trips. We visited the schools that NLU has established partnerships with, and received updates on their progress. At KIPP Central City Academy, I got to see their revitalized courtyard and new playground:


We also checked in with Happy Times Preschool and Royal Castle Kids Child Development Center. On our last day, we had the privilege of touring some NOLA schools still under construction. As the people of New Orleans continue to return to the city after Katrina, more and more schools are getting up and running again. Although Katrina devastated many of the school buildings, it has given the city the opportunity to upgrade and transform the schools for the better. Here we are (decked out in hard hats and safety vests) on the site of Andrew Wilson Charter School, which is getting much needed improvements and remodeling:


Overall, it was a wonderful experience for me to learn about the city, and get acquainted with the schools. I ate my first po-boy, and got to ride the famous streetcars from place to place. Now I am very excited to go down to NOLA again with the July team, and to help the schools open this fall. I will keep you updated as our team comes together and prepares to leave!