Devastating fire. Help community leader rebuild

Hi, my name is Veronica. My family is one of the founding families in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. On July 11th 2022 disaster struck as our cabins burnt up into flames. We could have never imagined to experience this kind of loss.. But we know God is in control. An investigator has yet to identify the source but is actively working on the case.

My husband and I have owned this property for 35 years and have lived in the community for over 45 years. What began as a home to raise our 5 children, became a "home away from home" for travelers visiting Costa Rica who were seeking to volunteer and learn ancestral holistic healing practices.

The space flourished as a multifunctional communal space for travelers looking to learn Spanish abroad. A place where people of all denominations and felt the love and message of unity that was guided by our familys strong faith. The family and our natural health store was used by the local and global community alike to educate people about plant medicine and ancestral wisdom passed down through generations.

Later on, our dream of creating the very first raw vegan, and vegetarian carribean style restaurant in Puerto Viejo came true. The restaurant was up and running for 11 years before we felt the calling to slow down and set ourselves up for the future.

My youngest son, Delmark, had shown interest in keeping the family business alive. Just 4 months ago i watched proudly as he and my two nephews work together to invest their life's savings to renovated and restore our life's work. I sat back and witnessed my son covert our business into a beautiful hostel as i watched my husband do the the same for our family years before. They began welcoming clients and were on a path to success. Yet in an instant the dreams we shared burned in the ashes.

Many people have innocently asked questions such as "why won't your insurance take care of it?" " Doesn't your town clean up the mess?" " Doesn't the government provide? Yet things are different here in Costa rica and especially on the Afro Caribbean coast.

We have had a long history of having to depend on ourselves, never able to depend on the municipality. Having insurance, social security, or a pension is a privilege many of our small businesses don't have.

This business was intended to be an outlet for flowing income and to try to create generational wealth. It was our form or pension or security to live out the rest of our days comfortably. The money that came in allowed for us to support our organic farm, children and grandchildren, transportation, and any other expenses.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 to reinvest back into the space. All the profits raised will go towards; clean up, permissions and permits, material, workers, architect, furniture, supply and any extra expense.

Starting over will not be easy. But we know God works in mysterious ways and we are trusting in his word. Any donation or even keeping our family in your prayers will make a great impact.