Brittany Rhodes

During my time in New Orleans, I came up with an idea that would show where the people who came to help at the village were from.  Originally, I wanted to create a giant puzzle of a map of the United States.  When a group came to the village, they would add their state’s puzzle piece into the giant puzzle. The goal would eventually be for the puzzle to be completed by having at least one group from every state come to the village so that the entire country would be involved in rebuilding the village.  The puzzle would symbolize how the village is a puzzle in itself that just needs help to be put together.  After talking to Mack and the rest of the students here from WPI, we came up with a better idea. We are now in the process of transferring a giant map onto the blank wall in the main room above the stage.  We are going to paint all the states different colors with a big star on New Orleans.  When a group comes to the village, they will mark on the map with the name of their group or school.  This way, it is sort of a giant pin map. As of this point, we have made a template for the map, but it still needs to be enlarged onto the wall.  This should be a very difficult task but it will have a great impact in the end.  Mack also came up with an idea to go along with the map.  He wants to make a chart next to it showing how much money has been raised for the village by each organization.  We might try to put a big meter that can constantly be changed showing the increase in funds. I hope that the wall will be done by the time we have to leave, but as long as it is started another group can finish.  Being in the village has given me a new perspective and appreciation for my own life.  I am glad I am part of this incredible experience that can benefit so many in the end.

For more information about the Lower Ninth Ward Village please visit their website here and if you would like to make a donation, you can do that here.