Hi friends,

I (Daniella) teach meditation and English in my favela community, Tabajaras, in Rio de Janeiro. One of my students, Thaiselly (11 years old), lost both of her parents last year within three months of each other. Despite this tragedy, she keeps showing up to my classes—quiet, brave, and hopeful.

She was living in unstable housing with her auntie Eliene who was doing her best in an overcrowded, fragile home (see photos below). The house leaks significantly when it rains (which makes it difficult for the kids to sleep because they all sleep on the floor). The house currently has one room for the auntie and the 4 children that she is caring for. She is a single, disabled mom who took in Thaiselly without hesitation as soon as she lost her parents.

The purpose of this fundraising campaign to rebuild and expand Eliene's home. The construction began in March 2026. The first phase is to install foundations for the house and renovate the existing first floor. The second phase will be to install a second floor with bedrooms upstairs. I (Daniella) am overseeing the project with Eliene and the contractor, and I’m posting step-by-step photo updates as work progresses.

How funds are being used

You can follow the progress on Instagram: www.instagram.com/projecttay123/

Thank you for helping give this kind, determined girl a safe place to call home!

With gratitude,

Daniella Woolfe — community teacher, Rio de Janeiro

Christina Ramos — fundraising coordinator