Biloxi Bound, by Anne Lenault and Denise Faneuff

Anne Lenault and Denise Faneuff are participants in the JustWorks Katrina Relief camp in Mississippi.

We were split into two groups today. Some stayed at camp to work on the dorms. The rest were on Rippy Road in the historic Turkey Creek settlement gutting houses and clearing brush.

The group has been conflicted about working on projects not directly related to Katrina damage. For some, it has been easy to feel fulfilled just helping in any way. For others, there has been struggle making the connections between what they are doing and how it helps the community. We learned a lot today about the goals of Turkey Creek Community Initiatives, which helped connect the dots.

After searching around for a tool or this or that, it made me think that this small frustration is nothing compared to the people here in Mississippi who lost homes, family, friends, things. It puts things in perspective and helps me feel ready to do whatever is asked of me.

The fact that there is not any government effort to improve housing here is outrageous. The fact that the media focused all the attention on the casino area is outrageous. The focus should be on the people who live and work here! It is criminal that the money for the area is sitting with the governor and being given in stages to people who least need it first. The fact that all this money is being spent in Iraq and that there is not money being spent to make sure our people have homes is just wrong.

I am sad to hear that there is tension between north Mississippi, the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans. I understand it though -- no judgment -- just sad. Somehow, I would love to see them band together. At home, when I spread the word it will be about all places. I was in New Orleans in March and I am glad to be here so that my message will encompass a larger area.

Tomorrow, we are heading to East Biloxi to do some gutting and building of some homes damaged by Katrina.