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Disaster Description
Diamond, located in Plaquemines Parish south of New Orleans, sustained almost a direct hit by the eye of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Most buildings were destroyed. Because of the great displacement of the local population, many people are just now beginning much of the physical work of rebuilding their communities. MDS is repairing and rebuilding homes in the Plaquemines Parish as well as rebuilding homes of members of the Grand Bayou Community, a Native American community.

MDS Response
MDS has repaired and rebuilt numerous homes and continues to work through the summer in the Plaquemines Parish as well as rebuilding homes of members of the Grand Bayou community, a Native American community.

Organizing Tools

Finding what we need for the day in the Diamond tool room.

Volunteer

MDS volunteer David

Everything is going great!

Everything is going great!

Framing

Framing at a Diamond project.

Dinner-at-the-Diamond-Proje

Dinner at the Diamond Project

Moving-Ruby's belongings back home.

Moving Ruby's belongings back home, by boat, in the Grand Bayou.

Quilt-given-to Mitch and Mary at home dedication

MDS Volunteer Kathleen gives a quilt to clients Mitch and Mary at their house dedication.

Current-and-future-homes

Current and future homes for the P family.

Ruby-and-her-new-keys

Ruby shows off her keys to her new home in the Grand Bayou.

Sawing the trim.

Working on the trim at a Diamond project.

Working in the rafters.

Working up in the rafters at a Diamond project.

Diamond, LA
MDS
24240 Diamond Road
Port Sulphur, LA 70083

Project Directors: Bill and Esther McCoy
Tel: (504) 564-6655
Fax: (504) 564-0068
diamond(at)mds.mennonite.net

Project Start Date: November 2006
Project Close Date: July 31, 2008

Volunteer Status: The week of July 20 is open for volunteers. 

Volunteers to Date: 1173

Jobs Started: 85

Jobs Completed:  73

Project End Date: TBA

Project summer schedule

June 1- Hesston Students arrive for summer work

Volunteer Information: Please read this file if you are planning and preparing for travel to work at Diamond.

Diamond Volunteer Information

Volunteer preparation tips In preparation for your trip to an MDS project, download the appropriate file below.

Tips for US volunteers
Tips for Canadian volunteers