Stand with JajaDaBus: Aid for Travelers After Assault

Estelle Ohanian is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Genevieve Plouffe.

Donation protected

Hello friends,

We are FBW Project from France. We are reaching out to support our dear friends, Martin and Geneviève, a Canadian couple who live on the road in their bus, JajaDaBus. We've known Martin and Jaja through the vanlife community, and, like many others, we are devastated by the traumatic experience they endured in Panama.

Recently, Martin and Geneviève "Jaja" were attacked at night near the Panama Canal by a group of 15 armed assailants. They had sold everything in Canada to fulfill a 5-year dream journey across South America, only to have it all destroyed just before their planned shipping to Colombia.

“Fifteen armed people arrived at night. We were seen by a camera. We thought there were 8-10 people, but it’s confirmed there were 15.”

The attackers used a machine gun on their vehicles, shattering the windows of their beloved bus, Jaja, and their Xterra. Martin was forced out and beaten for over 20 minutes, suffering fractures and severe head wounds, while Jaja was threatened at gunpoint.

“They dragged me by the hair, put a gun in my mouth with a pillow over my face and one against my temple, yelling: ‘Where’s the money and drugs?’”

Emergency services took over 30 minutes to arrive, and Martin required hospitalization. Since then, the Panamanian government has provided them with close security while an investigation is underway. With their home destroyed and facing medical and security bills, they must now try to cover for all the assault's damage.

Funds raised will go directly to cover:

Cover all the damage for Jajadabus , their only home on the road
Hospital and medical costs for Martin’s injuries
Security expenses related to the Panamanian government’s assistance
Post traumatic assistance

Martin, who spent many years living in Chile, was looking forward to reconnecting with his roots on this South American journey. We hope to help them rebuild, even as they must now let go of their dream. Any help is deeply appreciated by Martin, Jaja, and the entire vanlife community.

Thank you for your support!