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As Aid Lags, Volunteers Shoulder Rebuilding on Gulf Coast
An Amish crew from Pennsylvania works on a house in Pearlington, Miss. "Many of us were born with a hammer in our hands," said one man.
(By Peter Whoriskey -- The Washington Post)
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The program's first phase doles out money to people who were flooded but did not live in the federally designated flood zone.
Most people in Pearlington live in the flood zone and must wait for the second phase to begin. Under its guidelines, families of low and moderate income will be eligible for as much as $100,000, less any insurance and FEMA rebuilding payments they have received.
In the meantime, not knowing whether they will receive aid, many families here say they have accepted, sometimes reluctantly, the help of the charity groups in the rebuilding.
Many put what they have into building a foundation, getting the home started. Then the charitable groups, which provide materials and work crews, do the rest.
Even so, many feel uncomfortable about receiving the help.
Frank Bello and his wife, for example, are raising five children. He worked in maintenance at the local elementary school. She is a nurse.
Last week, an Amish crew was putting together the frame on a new house for the family.
Just before Christmas, when Bello was hauling three loads of dirt to his home site, it began to rain. He told the volunteer work crew that he was sorry that they had to work in such conditions.
"They said, 'Don't worry, we're glad to do it,' and that made me feel better," Bello said. "But I still feel bad about it. Personally, myself, I like to be doing that sort of thing for other people, not having them do it for me. But now that's the way it is."
