Sandra Bullock finds something to smile about as she re-opens school clinic which was swamped by Hurricane Katrina

By Anna Edwards

All smiles Sandra: The beaming actress opens the new on campus health clinic at Warren Easton Charter High School, which she helped rebuild after Hurricane Katrina swamped it


It hasn't been the easiest year for Oscar-winning Sandra Bullock.

The 46-year-old was humiliated in April following revelations her then husband Jesse James was having a string of extra-marital affairs behind her back, in June they divorced and she is now raising her adopted eight-month-old son Louis as a single mother.

But Bullock was all smiles yesterday when she returned on the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to the New Orleans high school that she helped rebuild for the opening of an on-campus health clinic.

Looking stylish in a fitted navy dress, towering peep-toe heels and sleek hair pulled to one side, the beaming actress looked like she had put the traumatic events firmly behind her as she spoke of the 'unimaginable kindness, perseverance and hope' she had seen at Warren Easton Charter High School, which was swamped by the fierce storm.

Bullock - who hugged staff and cracked jokes with reporters - has a special place in her heart for New Orleans.

Her adopted eight-month-old son Louis was born there and she has bought a home in the city so he can stay close to his roots.


Giving back: Ms Bullock was in good spirits as she joined nursing staff on the porch of the new clinic


Putting on a happy face: Sandra laughed and hugged staff at the centre, seemingly putting the last few tumultuous months behind her


Bullock, who has worked tirelessly to help victims of Katrina, was joined by U.S.

Senators Mary Landrieu and David Vitter and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, for the clinic's ribbon-cutting ceremony, which coincided with the storm's anniversary.

The star, who won an Oscar for drama The Blind Side, said she wanted to 'celebrate' the good that had come from the tragedy.

'I've always believed that sometimes a tragedy brings out the very best in people,' she said.

'You don't hear stories of selfless, people, good people, doing things for other good people because it's the right thing to do, very much.


In the past: Bullock and Jesse James at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in March, before reports broke of his affairs


'You don't often hear of people taking money out of their pockets when it wasn't financially feasible for them to make sure a child has a book, a ride to school, a locker, a healthcare system.'

The actress, who is known for her rom-com roles, then cracked a joke about her serious speech: 'Oh my God, I'm talking like a politician, I don't know what's happened!'

But then she paid tribute to the hard work of the school's staff and students who refused to be defeated by the hurricane.

'This school houses hundreds of young adults who have seen the very, very worst and on their own have decided to make the very best of it.

'These are our future leaders. I have first-hand seen unimaginable kindness, perseverance and hope. These people have taught me what taking care of your community is like, even if it felt like two steps forward and three steps back.'

After the year she has had, the star deserves to have a few more happy moments.


Generous: As well as contributing to the rebuilding of Warren Easton Charter High School, Bullock originally donated $1million to victims of Hurricane Katrina


source: dailymail