Post-wildfire rebuilds underway in Scotch Creek, Celista areas with Mennonite Disaster Service teams

When the wildfire ripped through the area, many residents returned to partial or complete destruction of their properties, and had to begin planning how they would rebuild. That’s where the Mennonite Disaster Services came into the picture.

“So we come and we dig foundations,” explains MDS Shuswap Project Director Roman Heuft, “Well first of all, we get permits, that also meant we had to get through geotechnical and geohazard reports.”

The faith-based charity has spent decades building houses across North America after disasters. People affected can apply for assistance, or are recommended to MDS, which was the case with some of the current Shuswap rebuilds. One of the area’s churches (North Shuswap Christian Fellowship) got ahold of MDS and told them about residents who could use the help.

Throughout the projects, the church parking lot and field space has become a home-base for the MDS volunteers who need a place to stay, and a kitchen space to cook and eat meals out of.

There are three different properties currently being rebuilt by the MDS in the Shuswap region, including the home belonging to Jade Shamen and his family.

Shamen says a large part of their property was burned away, including the home they had been renovating. They’ve been living out of their bus-turned-house since then, and working to clear damaged trees and other debris from the land.

“So by 4 o’clock (that day), about the time that the evacuation order came in, our home was on fire, we could see the flames, our land was burning, half of it was already burnt, and the fire was through this field already.”

Shamen says having that help physically for rebuilding, and financially to secure materials, means they can have their home built much sooner.

“They really understand what people go through when you have a disaster and when you lose everything. So they’ve just been amazing to have met,” he explains, “And to know that they do this for people, and that they do it all over the place? Yeah, it really does restore your faith in the good things that are happening that you don’t hear about all the time.”

Teams in the Shuswap are led by half a dozen longer term volunteers, with 10 weekly volunteers on a rotation.

Hizee Pankratz is a student volunteer who joined MDS teams through a scholarship opportunity, and says working directly with people has been impactful.

“It’s quite incredible to actually experience what has happened here and the forest fires,” she says, while working on-site Monday afternoon (Apr. 30), “It’s got a deeper meaning, the work here, when you realize what has happened.”

It’s volunteer-powered, but the non-profit does rely on donations to get materials, and cover other costs related to the builds.

“We’re a charity, so it’s a tax-deductible donation,” explains Heuft, “And we are currently underfunded on this project and we’re looking funding, so if people feel so inclined, please contribute.”

For the Christian organization, Heuft says it’s a show of their faith through their work. And those who will soon have a new home to return to say that work speaks volumes.

“Pretty incredible. I was thinking the other day, every time I have a shower it’ll be like a baptism,” Roden says with a laugh.

After building permits are secured, the expected timeline is to have homes built in three months, with residents moving in before fall.

by Dylana Kneeshaw

Post-wildfire rebuilds underway in Scotch Creek, Celista areas with Mennonite Disaster Service teams

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