A Change
So the issue I wrote about in my last installment, the frustration of being forced to wait as I could be making maps, was the tip of the iceberg. During the last week, there had been both small and large issues developing which brought aggravation to the volunteering I’d been doing with Global MapAid. I’ve been extremely excited about the work I’m doing, and the amount, but I’ve been disappointed about the disparity of quality and quantity of work I’ve been doing and what my partner was contributing. It has taken great patience in the mornings, and in the field to tolerate not performing the field research as efficiently and quickly as possible. I’ve developed integral contacts and worked despite skepticism on some projects, which do not contribute to the immediate need of the communities here. I’ve dealt with his disorganized efforts, the fact that he is extremely unprepared to be here, and a poorly defined direction for the project at hand. But I persevered through it, dealing with the problems internally while also carefully expressing means of improvement.
The short of it, is that on Thursday, after bringing up my desire to get out and do field research earlier in the day, my simple and well-founded request was met with a heated argument, erratic behavior, uncouth insults and general disrespect. I spent the rest of the day waving these things aside, continuing with my work. At the end of the day, as I drove across the Causeway, my partner began another barrage of the unwelcome behavior.
He’s been here for three weeks, and it’s been obvious that the fatigue has gotten to him. I am volunteering for his organization. Neither of those two reasons put me in a position to have to tolerate his recent behavior. With that in mind, my thoughts turned to seeing common ground between the negatives of large organizations like FEMA and Red Cross. But how could that be? Our team here is only two people! I then analyzed how productive I could be on my own, and the answer quickly became evident: I am no longer volunteering with Global MapAid. There’s far too much work here to be bogged down by the issues I’ve faced. I've come here with the sole reason to make maps, and to work extremely diligently at that. I have not come to help establish someone's company, or to be told not only that I am their servant, but my happiness depends on them. Sorry, but I have a little more respect for myself, and respect for the people I have come to help.
When I first made that decision, I actually did think that I could just change my flight and be gone. Which I could have – I still could. But after some encouragement and looking back at the real work I’ve been doing, I have another week here to make a strong difference. I’m staying.
Yesterday was my most productive day here. I not only finished the Algiers research I’d started, but then delved into the communities of Gretna and Terrytown, finding hidden and obscure assistance locations which I hadn’t yet heard about. I had an appointment with an Army colonel. Had one, but it never really happened as to some contrary opinions as to if I should be where I was, and I was subsequently escorted back out. In the process, I’ve discovered the only operating hospital, or MASH, and pharmacy in New Orleans. I made contacts to do work down in Houma, a largely Native American community in the bayous that was hit quite hard. I even went to the French Quarter, which surprisingly, seemed as normal as it could be. Tons of bars open, a live band in each, restaurants serving food, and plenty of people having a good time. I’ve never been there before, but I am anxious to return, maybe at a time after the trash has been picked up. The place truly smells nasty. A combination of feces, rotting fish, mildew, and spoilt fruit. And I’ll never forget the stoplight I was stuck at, at the intersection that had a hidden cesspool of raw sewage or pile of human excrement somewhere, strong enough to make a grown man gag with the windows up and AC on.
In between all the driving on Friday, I was constantly on the phone, trying to cover my last remaining need. These maps I’ve been creating will need to be printed. 10,000 cost about $700, an expense I wasn’t expecting previously, as Global MapAid was able to scrounge up the money. The angle I’m trying to develop is corporate sponsoring. I believe that large companies, somehow tied into redeveloping the region and individual homes, would be the best bet. Home Depot, GIS software companies, Costco, Ace Hardwares, Wal-Marts, K-Marts, unions, etc., as well as Kinkos (for the obvious printing reasons). If a company were interested in helping to cover the printing expenses, their logo and store location could be included on the map. Simple. My business partner, Oscar Larson has been graciously emailing and calling companies for the last day, but with no bites so far. I was able to stop in at a Home Depot, but their store manager was on vacation. If there’s anyone out there with some contacts in these companies, or similar ones, I’d love to hear about them. Ideas too!
Regardless, the maps will be made. I’ve already been distributing maps to churches and other organizations by way of my website, www.cartisan.com, and email. This avenue will continue. One of the aid locations I visited yesterday, part of the Common Ground Collective, offered me limited use of their laser printer. So somehow, through someone’s good graces, these maps will get into the hands of another 30,000 in the next week!
The short of it, is that on Thursday, after bringing up my desire to get out and do field research earlier in the day, my simple and well-founded request was met with a heated argument, erratic behavior, uncouth insults and general disrespect. I spent the rest of the day waving these things aside, continuing with my work. At the end of the day, as I drove across the Causeway, my partner began another barrage of the unwelcome behavior.
He’s been here for three weeks, and it’s been obvious that the fatigue has gotten to him. I am volunteering for his organization. Neither of those two reasons put me in a position to have to tolerate his recent behavior. With that in mind, my thoughts turned to seeing common ground between the negatives of large organizations like FEMA and Red Cross. But how could that be? Our team here is only two people! I then analyzed how productive I could be on my own, and the answer quickly became evident: I am no longer volunteering with Global MapAid. There’s far too much work here to be bogged down by the issues I’ve faced. I've come here with the sole reason to make maps, and to work extremely diligently at that. I have not come to help establish someone's company, or to be told not only that I am their servant, but my happiness depends on them. Sorry, but I have a little more respect for myself, and respect for the people I have come to help.
When I first made that decision, I actually did think that I could just change my flight and be gone. Which I could have – I still could. But after some encouragement and looking back at the real work I’ve been doing, I have another week here to make a strong difference. I’m staying.
Yesterday was my most productive day here. I not only finished the Algiers research I’d started, but then delved into the communities of Gretna and Terrytown, finding hidden and obscure assistance locations which I hadn’t yet heard about. I had an appointment with an Army colonel. Had one, but it never really happened as to some contrary opinions as to if I should be where I was, and I was subsequently escorted back out. In the process, I’ve discovered the only operating hospital, or MASH, and pharmacy in New Orleans. I made contacts to do work down in Houma, a largely Native American community in the bayous that was hit quite hard. I even went to the French Quarter, which surprisingly, seemed as normal as it could be. Tons of bars open, a live band in each, restaurants serving food, and plenty of people having a good time. I’ve never been there before, but I am anxious to return, maybe at a time after the trash has been picked up. The place truly smells nasty. A combination of feces, rotting fish, mildew, and spoilt fruit. And I’ll never forget the stoplight I was stuck at, at the intersection that had a hidden cesspool of raw sewage or pile of human excrement somewhere, strong enough to make a grown man gag with the windows up and AC on.
In between all the driving on Friday, I was constantly on the phone, trying to cover my last remaining need. These maps I’ve been creating will need to be printed. 10,000 cost about $700, an expense I wasn’t expecting previously, as Global MapAid was able to scrounge up the money. The angle I’m trying to develop is corporate sponsoring. I believe that large companies, somehow tied into redeveloping the region and individual homes, would be the best bet. Home Depot, GIS software companies, Costco, Ace Hardwares, Wal-Marts, K-Marts, unions, etc., as well as Kinkos (for the obvious printing reasons). If a company were interested in helping to cover the printing expenses, their logo and store location could be included on the map. Simple. My business partner, Oscar Larson has been graciously emailing and calling companies for the last day, but with no bites so far. I was able to stop in at a Home Depot, but their store manager was on vacation. If there’s anyone out there with some contacts in these companies, or similar ones, I’d love to hear about them. Ideas too!
Regardless, the maps will be made. I’ve already been distributing maps to churches and other organizations by way of my website, www.cartisan.com, and email. This avenue will continue. One of the aid locations I visited yesterday, part of the Common Ground Collective, offered me limited use of their laser printer. So somehow, through someone’s good graces, these maps will get into the hands of another 30,000 in the next week!
posted by B at
11:06 AM
