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

Sawatdeeka, ‘hello’ from the Mekong Project.

The Mekong, the largest river in southeast Asia, is the namesake of our 2009 international Habitat for Humanity build. Delta has the largest number of volunteers and we serve as the Platinum sponsor of this year’s project.

Yesterday, we joined together alongside of our family to begin construction on our house. Ours is one of 82 total homes that will be built during the five day event, with the number 82 specially chosen to commemorate the King’s 82nd birthday.

Each 800 square foot house is constructed of concrete bricks, stacked atop a concrete foundation. The bricks, which were made as part of the ‘sweat equity’ each family is required to contribute to their home, were completed prior to our arrival. In addition to the sweat equity investment, the families will pay $800 dollars for their new homes. Our first day of construction was spent mixing concrete and laying bricks as we watched our house begin to take shape.

Consisting of one large room with a separate bathroom at the back, the homes would seem small by most American standards. But for these families, they represent the big promise of a new future.

The need for decent, affordable housing is overwhelming here. We learned in the opening ceremony that about 850 million people live in slums, which is nearly two-thirds of the world’s population of slum-dwellers.

I am personally blessed to be able to participate in this project as an individual. As a 43-year Delta employee, I take great pride in working for a company who has not only provided me with this opportunity, but who has continued to serve as a dedicated supporter of such a worthy organization.

Jane hard at work in Thailand

Jane H., Flight Attendant, ATL