Mennonite Disaster Services Rebuilding Hope and Homes
One of the two projects which already has the foundation dug, is in Scotch Creek on the property of Wayne Roden. (Kicker photo)
By Jo Anne Malpass
With building permits and plans in hand and volunteers streaming in, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) has arrived to make a huge difference in the lives of three families in Celista and Scotch Creek, by rebuilding their homes destroyed in last year’s wildfire. MDS is scheduled to be here for most of the summer and come back next year to rebuild more homes in Lee Creek.
Shuswap MDS Project Leader Peter Thiessen explained that after events such as a wildfire, the septic systems must be replaced and geohazard assessments must be completed before permits can be issued. He praised everyone involved for coming to bat to move these things forward.
MDS volunteers repair and rebuild homes after a disaster for homeowners who were homeowners before the disaster, are uninsured or underinsured and lack other resources to pay for labour. It gives priority to those who, without assistance, would not have the means to recover.
It donates the labour and, in some cases, works in partnership with faith-based organizations, local recovery groups and governmental and non-governmental agencies that provide funds for building materials.
Mennonite Disaster Services volunteers have set up camp at NS Christian Fellowship for the next several months while rebuilding homes in the community. (Kicker photo)
Volunteers have set up camp at the North Shuswap Christian Fellowship and work started mid April. Peter said the church has been tremendously gracious in allowing their field and building to be used to house and feed the volunteers. With support from the North Shuswap Disaster Relief Society (NSDRS), they are getting power to the camp.
Peter has many years of experience on these types of projects, having started volunteering about 10 years ago, working in West Virginia, Williams Lake, Grand Forks, 70 Mile House and last summer Cape Breton. He’s looking forward to working with members of the community saying ,“we slide in as strangers and leave as friends.”
The families receiving homes have the building plans for their homes, have picked out the finishes and colours, and should be in their new homes in September.
One of the two projects which already has the foundation dug, is in Scotch Creek on the property of Wayne Roden. Wayne said he had planned to try to put a motor home on the property, knowing a new home would be beyond reach but the NSDRS encouraged him to meet with MDS representatives. He said it has been one amazing thing after another since the fire happened, which has restored his faith. Along with support and acts of kindness from MDS, the community and the Fellowship Church, he was helped with lot clearing by Samaritan’s Purse. One example of amazing things was minutes after piling up cement and toxic soil and wondering what he was going to do with it, a Disaster Relief member called to ask him if he had anything like that because they were arranging for this type of material to be taken away.
Another project already started is in Celista for Rosy Day. Her family home had been there for 73 years, before it was destroyed last summer. She said she went from “being in a state of shock for six or seven months because everything is gone, to shear joy, when all of a sudden, you’re getting a house built for you.”
Rosy is also very grateful to the Lewis family. “If it wasn’t for Fran Lewis, I wouldn’t be on the list, that’s for sure. She was talking to them (MDS) and put my name on the list right away.” George Lewis not only cleared the lot of dangerous trees, but he also volunteered to dig the hole for the foundation.
Rosy can’t say enough about MDS. They are “very caring, very considerate, loving and have the utmost respect for people. It’s amazing, for me, it’s truly a miracle.” “They do quality work and are so well organized.” The NS Disaster Relief Society has also helped with a new septic system and hydro.
The third home, still waiting for a geotechnical assessment and permit, is for Isabelle Labelle and Jade Shamen in Celista. Jade said MDS contacted them after being recommended by NSDRS and Fran Lewis.
“Things are really amazing. I can’t express how grateful I am to be gifted a home,” said Jade. He is also grateful to the community and the churches who were there right away to help replace basic necessities, after everything was wiped out, including their income. They are doing everything they can to assist MDS and at the same time, “rebuilding fences and getting ourselves back on our feet.”
Jade and Isabelle make their living farming and plan to include sunflowers as an oilseed crop on their property. In appreciation and through a contact provided by the Mennonites here, he is purchasing the seed from the location in Manitoba where Mennonites homesteaded after leaving Russia in the late 1800s during a time of persecution. The sunflower strains they brought with them from Russia were high in oil. “The sunflowers will be growing in view of the Mennonites as they are growing our house.”
Volunteer teams are coming from out of province to support the efforts but there is also room for locals to volunteer as much time as they can spare, even a day or two. To volunteer, please contact Wes Janzen at janzen@twu.ca
To donate to MDS for this or future projects, go to https://mds.org/mds-across-canada/
