*I should have posted an update sooner but didn’t expect to continue to receive donations. As of February 22, Gofundme has frozen the funds for this fundraiser, offering no explanation. As of March 5th, they have not replied to my emails. An organizer for the flotilla informed me that they have flagged the flotilla as having “ties to extremism”. The irony of them asserting this about a non-violent humanitarian mission to deliver aid and care to a population of civilians who have been enduring genocide for two years is appalling.

If you donated to this fundraiser, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and now have to ask for the further support of initiating a refund request to Gofundme. I initiated a formal request that they return the funds to those who donated and they have not responded. It’s egregious behavior, I wish there was a way to hold them accountable. Please spread the word about their lack of ethics. Feel free to reach out to me. Sending love and gratitude.

Hello my dear friends, fam, and broader community.

I’m feeling a bit vulnerable in the process of organizing this fundraiser, as I know that finances are tight for so many people, so I ask folks please only give in small increments and if it is not a hardship. If you feel called to, please share this fundraiser with your community.

I will be joining the Global Sumud Flotilla this spring. This is a humanitarian coalition of doctors, nurses, teachers, eco-builders, unarmed civilian protectors, and mariners whose goal is to break the illegal blockade of Palestine and deliver aid and support to Gazans. You can learn more about their mission here- https://globalsumudflotilla.org

I applied to participate because I heard they might need mariners. I was invited to participate and just bought my ticket to rendezvous with the boats in Europe at the end of March, before setting out for Palestine in April.

I spent my winter volunteering my time to a community art project and will be embarking on this journey with minimal savings, not enough to entirely cover my travel expenses or bills while I am gone.

Upon my return I will be visiting a beloved community member in Canada as I wait for my Able Seafarer credential to be issued through the coast guard. This credential will afford me access to good paying work. I am dealing with some housing instability so it is my plan to use part of my time there to build a beautiful and secure wooden canopy for my truck so I can be houseless in style when I return to the Bay Area. I have the lumber for the project but will need to purchase hardware, epoxy for weather proofing the exterior and the cost of gas to get from California to BC. Including costs of travel to Europe and to Canada, bills while I am traveling, and material expenses for the camper build, I am setting a crowdfunding goal of $3000

i feel such profound gratitude toward my incredible community. I thank you for reading this and sharing or contributing if you are able.

with all my love,

Kel