“VOLUNTOURISM” IN NEW ORLEANS

Thousands of people are deciding to spend their vacation time or spring breaks from college helping to rebuild hurricane-wracked New Orleans, reports The Washington Post. In an effort dubbed “voluntourism,” students and older Americans are cleaning out and rebuilding houses through nonprofit groups like Mardi Gras Service Corps and Habitat for Humanity. City officials say the volunteers are key to redevelopment, not only because of their charity work but because their spending is helping the local economy recover.