In recognition of the continued need for aid work in the Gulf Coast region, seven student-led trips will head south this December to continue the Hurricane Katrina Relief project.
Last year, only two groups were sent down to New Orleans and Mississippi through the Tucker Foundation.
The number was raised to 17 this year -- the other 10 of which will occur during spring break and Summer term, depending on funding -- once the need for continued relief work became apparent.
Sherry Zhao '07 and Diana Jih '09, two of the student coordinators of the Katrina Relief Trips, explained that the difficulty in sending more than two trips down last year stemmed primarily from the pressure to organize relief efforts quickly in the immediate wake of Katrina.
"This year, we get to build upon those trips from last year and the research they did but also now the need is very different. Despite promises from the local and state levels of government, help hasn't continued," Jih said.
All over the Gulf Coast Region, including New Orleans and Biloxi, Miss., people continue to deal with the effects of Katrina's devastation. Although much of the immediate damage has been demolished or repaired, many individuals are still in temporary housing and suffering mentally and emotionally.
"The things that are really overlooked are the depression, post-traumatic stress [syndrome] and the high number of suicides. We are trying to address [these issues] this year instead of just gutting houses like they did last year," Zhao said.
The 17 teams working in the Gulf Coast Region, each group with two trip leaders who hand-pick their team of 13, will have the opportunity to "pursue their passions," meaning that they can work on projects that interest them, Zhao said.
For example, a group from the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical School can work on a health care initiative, while a group interested in education can work with students in the area.
"Since the array of issues that needs to be addressed is so varied and diverse, you can sort of cater certain projects to students' interests...they are tailor-made for students to bring what they have learned at Dartmouth down there and to also learn as much as they can while they are there," Jih said.
Other incentives for having students throughout campus recruit their own teams is that it will broaden awareness of the issue and that many people will already have previous experience working with each other.
A project of this magnitude comes with a large price tag. The Tucker Foundation is sponsoring all 17 teams by paying for travel and other expenses. Students, however, are still asked to contribute.
Each participant must put down a $150 deposit and each group has been asked to collect $1,000 through fundraising, with the aim of raising campus awareness and covering certain smaller expenses including food and project materials. The Tucker Foundation has also established a grant for students who are unable to pay the $150 deposit.
"There is a lot to be brought to and brought back from a service trip, and even just leaving the Dartmouth campus with the intention of helping other people. There is also a sense of humility as you go into another community and you are there basically to learn from the people and the volunteers," Jih said.
