I am a recently hired employee of Delta, joining the Company in October 2008, and serve as a Ready Reserve in Little Rock, Arkansas. When the announcement calling for volunteers to help with the Habitat for Humanity build in Chiang Mai went out, I was excited to apply and pleased and honored to one of the applicants selected.

My fellow Delta team members come from not only many U.S. states, but from around the world. And we are building alongside over 2,000 other volunteers who have traveled from all corners of the globe including New Zealand, Ireland and Saudi Arabia.

There are six Delta teams building six of the total 82 houses being completed this week. I am a member of the Tai Tens team. We have several other volunteers working with us including a 69 year old retired microbiologist from Oregon who now lives in Thailand. In addition to her, we’ve met many other folks from around the world working together helping families achieve a safe and stable home.

On day two of the build, we worked together with the family—husband, Chochai, and wife, Wanlee,–with mudding, stacking, and grouting the bricks in preparation for day three, when we will raise a roof over the house. Our house is located next to the one on which former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, are working on. As I’ve watched them, I’m amazed at their stamina and endurance while working in the sun, building almost unnoticed among all of the many volunteers here to help families.

This project is an incredible experience— one that I will always remember. I am thankful that Delta has afforded me this opportunity to participate and for the dedication of Delta’s continued assistance to partner with Habitat to end homelessness in the world.

Debbie S, ACS, Little Rock