International Project Wrap-up: Slidell, LA

Posted by Jeremy Lezin

Our assignment in Slidell, Louisiana (45 minutes NE of New Orleans) seemed rather simple at first: construct a wheelchair ramp and stairs for a community kitchen destroyed by Katrina.

What we didn't realize until standing next to the building was that the ground floor was well over our heads, built to thwart future floods. So for the next five days our gang of nine Santa Cruz Rotary Sunrise members bored holes into the hard earth, mixed concrete by hand, erected towering 6" beams and finally pieced together a ramp and stairs that allowed access to the new kitchen and dining hall. We endured heat, humidity and rutting love bugs. The latter performed a most remarkable feat: they fly while mating. For days on end.

By week's end we had constructed a ramp and stairs that will serve the community for years to come. It felt good to do a project that will positively affect so many lives. I know that I speak on behalf of our team.

Team members: Bill & Kelly Buck, Doug Feinsod, Charles Leigh-Wood, Earle Coutant, Mark Junod, Will Junod and Rotary exchange student Alex.

To view the Slidell trip video produced by Jeremy, click here. The movie is large and takes a while (several minutes) to download. But be patient, it's worth it!