Every radio station in the US should make use of this Katrina special - tailered to your needs with one-hour & half-hour versions, or individual segments. I listened to the full hour which flew by even though I'd heard some of the material in a program last year. But it's all been refreshed and updated.

It begins with a rich montage of voices and music, followed by a recap of original news coverage which ends with a voice filled with so much emotion I found tears filling my eyes - and this at only 8 minutes into the program. A powerful introduction!

The stories which follow are all excellently produced testaments to individual grit and determination in the face adversity and frustration: the passionate organizer of Common Ground, abused immigrant construction workers, a 15 year old girl who weathered the storm with her family.

What's extraordinary is how often the word "hope" is still spoken - despite the appalling failings of the Bush administration. It's unfathomable that one of America's great treasures has been left to fend for itself while billions are spent waging war in Iraq. I'm not a particularly religeous person but I say, God bless New Orleans and God bless the National Radio Project for this inspiring reminder of the city's indomitable spirit and will to rise again.