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Disaster Description

Diamond is located in Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans. Because Plaquemines Parish encompasses the first 70 miles of the Mississippi River it is host to several oil refineries.

Diamond 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 still doing 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 numerous homes and has rebuilt nine homes in the last three years. The work continues in Plaquemines Parish and on homes in the Grand Bayou.

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Handing up the trusses at a project in the Grand Bayou, Louisiana.

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Working on the raised houses in the Bayou.

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Going out for the day's work.

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Maurice's house shows lots of progress.

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Student volunteers from Conrad Grebel University dig the hole to bury a septic system at a MDS house in the Grand Bayou.

MDS homeowner, Ruby, takes volunteers out on her boat.

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Painting at Odile's house.

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A volunteer conference in what will be Maurice's kitchen.

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Odile's house nears completion.

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Mr. Ron goes up the ramp to see the inside of his house for the first time.

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Tina works on the soffit.

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Volunteers in Diamond take a break for lunch in the Bayou.

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Homeowner Rosina talks to the group at the home dedication in the Grand Bayou.

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Food and Fellowship at the home dedication.

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Enjoying the food at the home dedication.

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A quilt is presented to a homeowner at the home dedication in the Grand Bayou.

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Paul Unruh and homeowner Rosina.

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Quilt presentation to homeowners in the Bayou.

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Parish President Billy Nung addresses the group at the dedication in the Grand Bayou.

Paul-and-Carolyn-Sylve

Homeowners Paul and Carolyn receive a quilt at the home dedication.

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Homeowner Rosina addresses the group at the dedication.

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

Project Directors:

Tel: (504) 564-6655
Fax: (504) 564-0068
diamond(at)mds.mennonite.net

Project Start Date: November 2006

Volunteer Status: This project is temporarily closed for volunteers.

Volunteers to Date: 1847

Jobs Started: 114

Jobs Completed:  111

Project End Date: TBA

Project schedule

Volunteer Information: Please download and read the files listed below if you are planning and preparing for travel to work in Diamond.

Diamond Volunteer Information

Volunteer Guide