HOUMA — In a cleared-out space off Coteau Road in Houma, dozens of volunteers from Missouri, New Mexico and other states swarmed among blue-and-white temporary "tents" Thursday, enjoying the foreign taste of jambalaya and sounds of a Cajun band.

The 30 or so hut-like structures — nicknamed "oversized doghouses" and "pods" by the volunteers — combine with a dining tent, shower trailer and a row of port-a-potties to form the visitors’ base for work helping families across Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes rebuild from last fall’s storms.

"There’s a lot to do. We just wanted to come in and do our little part for the short time that we’re here," said Yvonne Villalobos of Albuquerque, N.M., a volunteer who has spent the past few days repairing a Chauvin home.

People nationwide have been anxious to help but need a place to stay, said Camille Lopez of San Diego, coordinator for the Gulf Coast volunteer villages.

"This gives them an opportunity to actually do something," Lopez said. "This is a way for them to serve and really express their faith through charity and giving."

The Presbyterian assistance group is partnering with several organizations — the Houma Elks Lodge No. 1193, the Terrebonne Readiness and Assistance Coalition also known as TRAC, and the smorgasbord of groups involved in the Terrebonne-Lafourche Recovery Committee — to help local residents repair roofs, build handicapped-accessible ramps and rebuild entire homes.

The Elks donated the six acres of land hosting the village, the Presbyterian group brings the volunteers, and TRAC matches the volunteers with construction work.

TRAC caseworkers first help storm-victim clients gain as much disaster help as possible from FEMA, but the agency usually doles out a maximum of $5,200 per home, not enough for most to rebuild, said TRAC Director Peg Case.

Volunteer teams have rebuilt homes in Dulac, Dularge, Chauvin and Houma, and TRAC plans to send them to sites in Lafourche Parish and other south Terrebonne communities soon, said Case.

The Coteau Road village can accommodate 90 volunteers, but has averaged about 30 to 40 a week, hosting as few as 10 and as many as 85 at a time, said Andrea Mitchell, village manager.

Mitchell said the village will remain here for at least three years, maybe longer.

"We’re here for the long haul," said Lopez.

Mitchell, of Lake George, N.Y., has already adopted a local "assistant." Daisy, a golden retriever mix Mitchell found at the Terrebonne Parish animal shelter, squirmed at her feet Thursday, reveling in the south Louisiana mud.

In a nearby tent dotted with maps of the fragile Louisiana coastline, Bessie Harding of Dulac sat talking with girls from St. Louis, Mo., who have spent the past week rebuilding the inside of her home. Hurricane Rita flooded Harding’s brick home with several feet of water, destroying her belongings.

"I lost everything," said Harding, who has lived in the house 30 years. "I’m ready to get home," she said, joking that she and her 9-year-old granddaughter live in "a little box," also known as a FEMA trailer. She also warned the Missouri team that her granddaughter, known to distribute Popsicles among the volunteers, would likely collect their phone numbers.

Jenny Frederich, a member of the Missouri team, didn’t seem to mind. Meeting the people has been one of the best parts of her weeklong stay in Houma, Frederich said.

Terrebonne Parish government, the Elks and the Presbyterian disaster group have built a $15,000 access road to the site; and the disaster group and the Elks have put in a $20,000 sewer plant, as well as a shower trailer, said Rod Rodrigue, former leader of the Elks. Next month, the Presbyterian group will begin a roughly one-month project to build a permanent building on the site featuring restrooms, a kitchen, dining area and storage, Rodrigue said.

Workers staying at the village have enjoyed experiencing the Cajun culture and meeting local people, but could do without the wasps and mosquitoes, volunteers said.

"This is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time," said Pratt, who has been involved in construction and property management for much of his life. "This is the perfect fit for me."

Pratt’s chow and redbone coonhound mix, Catherine, follows him throughout the village, greeting newcomers and helping keep the mood light in smothering heat and humidity.