Project Lazarus 2010

So I had an amazing spring break! I went with an AMAZING group of people to New Orleans to Project Lazarus. This is a shelter for homeless people who are also HIV +. Driving into New Orleans with a beautiful sunset in the distance, I knew it was going to be an incredible week.
I guess the image I have of AIDS/HIV in my mind is the emotional scene in RENT where the people living with HIV are at their community meeting support group. The facilitator asks one of the guys how he feels saying, "How do you feel today?". They then sing a beautiful song with lines "Will I lose my dignity?" and "Will someone care?". Project Lazarus has made this scene somewhat of a reality. Monday and Wednesdays they have community meetings to come together and talk about how they are all doing. I enjoyed spending time with my group and the residents so much. It will be something I remember forever. We always played games like bingo. We tie dyed shirts with all the residents and had a fun cookout. I worked out with Larry at 6 am one morning. Simply having someone there who care was so good for these residents. I'm not going to go too much into their stories, but the residents came from every experience.
From the stripper who danced for money, but became a chef to make ends meet. Who was raped in jail. Who has an amazing outlook on life given his situation. Who is planting a garden big enough to feed a village. Who isn't afraid to make his voice heard. From the man who grew up in the projects, got caught up in the drugs, the killing, and the sex. Who had sex with so many women he didn't know who the HIV came from. Who looks like the hulk walked out of the comic book. Who is strong, brave, and is making a change in his life. From the women with boobs the size of camel humps. Who was diagnosed with HIV, who broke down to the point of getting schizophrenia. Who now hears voices in her head. Who tenderly holds the hand of another resident while watching Lil Wayne concerts. From the man who longs for affection, writing love letters to one of our group members. Who has never had that embrace, that connection. The individuals of Project Lazarus who search to find meaning in a life washed away. Who are rejected by their family and friends. Who long for happiness when it seems the world has gone out. Who long for strength when weakness and fatigue knocks on their door. Who go to work and try to aid society. Who want the world to see that they are people and nothing less. Who show beauty in the simplest of ways. No one there to hold them, put them at ease. No money to support themselves. A solitary struggle. One perplexed by judgement and scorn from the outside world. Project Lazarus is a place of acceptance and openness. The damage has been done. Move on, cherish what you have. Because today there is truly "no day but today".