When the Going Gets Tough...

It’s been almost two months now and so much has already happened. We are two block exams deep into our Masters of Pharmacology program and we are swiftly moving forward. I have been fortunate enough to have had the chance to volunteer at KIPP in New Orleans, a college preparatory public charter school, for two Fridays so far. The experience has been amazing, allowing us to help in even the smallest ways. We have helped distribute essential school supplies and reading aids to each classroom, so that each student is given the right tools and the best chance to help them excel.

During the month of August our neighboring city, Baton Rouge, was tragically affected by massive flooding leaving thousands of homes devastated. In an effort to help in any way we could a group of students from the Pharmacology program got together to help in any way we could. We all carpooled up to Baton Rouge to help gut and clean a house through the Mutual Aid Disaster Relief and NOLA Tree Project. The experience was surreal; as we drove through the devastated neighborhoods I was reminded of the destruction I had seen when coming back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. By the end of our time volunteering we had knocked out all the drywall, stripped the wood paneling from the walls, and the removed the rubber tiling on the floors to help expose and stop mold growth. I definitely learned a lot more about housing demolition and repair than I ever thought I would. 

Overall these two months have been epic and there is so much more to look forward to.

Nuji out.

August Volunteer Hours:

KIPP 08/12/16 and 08/26/16: 4 hours

Mutual Aid Disaster Relief and NOLA Tree Project 08/28/16: 8 hours

Total Hours: 12 hours