From Swords into Plowshares, the Blog of the Presbtyerian Peacemaking Program
NBC special on August 29
For many Americans, August 29 marks an anniversary that has scarred both bodies and souls.
That was the day, five years ago, when Hurricane Katrina made a direct assault on New Orleans, Mississippi and the American gulf coast. The worst natural disaster in U.S. history left thousands of families homeless and displaced.
Five years later, many of those families are still struggling to return home. "Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later," is their story.
The documentary — alternately heart wrenching and deeply inspiring — was produced by the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and is presented by the National Council of Churches on many NBC stations through the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission beginning August 29. If your local station isn't carrying this important show, call the station management and tell them how much you'd like to see it.
"You have to remember one thing when you drive through my city," says Wanda, "behind every broken window…behind every boarded up empty house…There is a family trying to come home.” Wanda was one of the thousands of families left homeless or displaced following Hurricane Katrina. Five years later, some of these families are still trying to return home. The most destructive hurricane in U.S. history inspired a movement that brought thousands of volunteers from all over the world —taking leave from their jobs, their families— to work alongside families and communities desperately trying to return home. Thousands of persons of faith have been deeply involved in the recovery of the gulf since the hurricane hit five years ago.
The new documentary, "Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later," gives insight into the relationships between volunteers and hurricane survivors and includes stories of how they have touched each other’s lives. DVDs are available from 800-524-2612.
‘Coming home’ five years after Katrina struck
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