Volunteers build back hope in Lytton, B.C.

The rebuild remains slow in Lytton, which was almost entirely destroyed by a wildfire four years ago.

Saws, drills and hammers are all tools of the trade.

But volunteers are using these tools not just to construct new homes, but to build back hope in Lytton, B.C.

“Making communities better, making people’s lives better – that’s why I do it,” said Gerald Dyck with the B.C. unit of Mennonite Disaster Service.

Though it’s been almost four years since a wildfire destroyed about 90 per cent of the village, the rebuild has been slow for a number of reasons.

Some of those reasons are financial.

About 40 per cent of former residents had no insurance. Many others were underinsured.

Those are the people that Mennonite Disaster Service volunteers, who come from throughout B.C. and across Canada, are helping.

MDS volunteers have finished one home in Lytton. They are now working on a second.

“It’s pretty special. You form relationships with these folks. You’re really helping them from a very traumatic difficult time to a place where they can call it home again,” explained Port Moody’s Duane Neufeld, one of those involved in the MDS project.

Neufeld, who said his work is propelled by his faith, explained that the builds have not come without challenges.

“There’s no services. There’s no Home Depot nearby. There’s no Rona. So, we had to figure all those logistics out,” said Neufeld.

In Lytton, so far, a total of 11 homes have been rebuilt.

Some former residents remain displaced.

“There’s still people living in family’s spare bedrooms,” explained Lytton Mayor Denise O’Connor,

“It’s been a very long, difficult process. Mostly for the older people. Some can’t come back. Some have passed away,” said Lytton business owner Lorna Fandrich.

B.C.’s auditor general continues to investigate the province’s role in Lytton’s ongoing recovery including the challenges faced in rebuilding. The report was initially expected to be released earlier this year but is now slated for completion in the fall.

By then, MDS will have finished the house they’re building.

And another Lytton family will have a new place to call home.