Hello everyone,
Today was the fourth day of our build in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and we were awakened with our usual daily wake-up call—the wonderful smells of chicken with cashew nuts, fried dough with sweetened sauce and dark roast coffee.

Our group has fully united as one Delta Force for Global Good by spending long days working in the intense sun of beautiful Chiang Mai—spending our time building walls brick by brick for our families, much like adding rungs to the ladder of opportunity and hope we’ve now helped provide by giving these families their own homes.

And as long as one has hope, anything can be accomplished. Khun Kumbao, the future owner of the home and his family, have been working side by side with us and a renewed sense of hope.

Working so closely with the family throughout this week has helped us develop strong relationship with the family. Last night was particularly special as the family joined us for dinner, where we met their children for the first time.

Not only have we bonded with the family, but our team has gotten the chance to really gel, we built not only working relationships but also lasting friendships.

Along with brick and mortar homes, we built the foundation and the stepping stones of success. But we have to ask the question of what does one define as success? For some it is to have to the career of their dreams and go to college, but for our Habitat families, success to them comes down to having the most basic necessities like a roof over their heads and a safe neighborhood where they can raise their children.

All of the families of this build will always be part of the Delta family and will remain in our thoughts and prayers forever.

Being of Thai heritage, this trip has been very meaningful in the sense that it has allowed me to connect with my native country on a new and personal level. My family is Thai and it makes one proud to be part of such a great cause. Sir Winston Churchill once said, “Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.”

I am proud to be associated with this great cause and this great company, one that adds both joy and glory to climb.

Kelvin C., Global Assistance Center, ATL

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