This is Michael Navarro, and this is to raise money to support those most in need due to recent flooding in Brazil.

Many of you have likely heard of the persistent flooding in Brazil that has displaced thousands of people from their homes, destroying their supplies and creating widespread desperation. Every dollar of this fund will go towards the families impacted by this natural disaster, but I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight an everyday hero and friend, Alan Sikora.

Alan Sikora

I’ve known Alan for 6.5 years, since he flew from his home in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to Boston to meet with me in person. At the time, I was meeting many potential software development teams to find the right fit. I remember him putting his arm around me and telling me he saw how much I cared, so he would take care of me and we would build something great. This was the first indicator of something special in Alan. He has heart. He always cares at least as much as the person standing beside him, but almost always much more. His heart spans far wider than his work; it is within everything in his life, from his wife Mari and daughter Helena to his fellow neighbors now in desperate need of the essentials we all take for granted. I met Mari Sikora on Alan’s second trip to Boston when they were just dating. Years later, I witnessed their marriage over live streaming, and last year, I saw the joy on Alan’s face when he introduced Helena to the world.

Alan during his second trip to Boston.

Over the years, I’ve watched Alan spend countless nights solving difficult problems for me. I trust his skilled hands on the most important engineering tasks for our business, and he has shined repeatedly during some of our most challenging times. And then, on April 27th, the relentless rains began to fall across his homeland, flooding his community, covering the roofs of his hometown with water, displacing thousands of people from their homes, destroying their supplies, and creating widespread desperation.

News of Flooding in Brazil

Video of Alan searching for victims at night

Alan navigating through the flood in his Troller.

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

-Superman (Christopher Reeve)

All heroes have heart, and struggle is the whetstone that polishes the greatness in those who possess it. Alan has been shining since the streets around him flooded with muddy waters. He has been wading through neighborhoods in his Troller, searching for people in need of rescue, and devoting his time and money to providing essential supplies to those that need it most. And he’s doing it with Mari by his side.

Alan with his wife Mari and daughter Helena in their church auditorium serving as a supply hub.

Volunteers helping Alan load supplies.

It’s hard to care as much as Alan does, but I can at least follow his example and lead with heart. For this reason, I am personally donating $1,000 to this fund and asking as many people as possible to contribute whatever they can. Any amount helps, however small, and maybe with enough people, we can match the love that Alan and Mari are spreading across their community.

All pictures besides the thumbnail loaded with the news link are taken by Alan Sikora as he journals his efforts to help those in need. All proceeds will be withdrawn from a US bank account dedicated to this purpose, and every dollar will be wired by me, Michael Navarro, to Alan Sikora to be applied in full to assist those in need in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Examples of how your donations will be applied include:

• Purchasing, shipping, and distributing food, water, and personal hygiene supplies to areas in greatest need

• Distributing shoes, clothing, and luggage to families who have lost their possessions

• Giving gifts and toys to children displaced from their homes

• Purchasing and installing building supplies for temporary shelters

Thank you for your support.

Michael Navarro

Friend of Alan, and co-founder of Ediphi where we both work