For 31 years, Bella has devoted her life to caring for her son Andrés, who was born with Down syndrome, in the remote Galápagos Islands. Against all odds, they have secured a piece of land—but without help, building even a simple home is out of reach. Together, we can make it possible.

Hello everyone!

My name is Alethea. I am originally from Nashville, Tennessee. For the past five years I have lived full-time in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, with my Ecuadorian husband, Fabian (known locally as “Billabong”), who has been a permanent resident here since 1998. Together, we own a travel agency and tour operation, Galapagos Surf Discovery.

As an active member of this small island community of about 8,500 people, I’ve had the privilege of meeting many wonderful families. Among them are Bella and her son Andrés, whose story touched me deeply. Bella shared her journey with me in Spanish, and I translated her words so that her voice could reach beyond the island.

I am hosting this fundraiser on their behalf because platforms like GoFundMe are not accessible for Ecuadorians, and I want to ensure their story has the widest possible reach. All funds raised will go directly toward the construction of their home, and I will personally make sure the money is transferred safely and transparently.

Below, you’ll read Bella’s story in her own words.

Bella’s Story

My name is Bella Plaza Vera, I am 63 years old, and I live in San Cristóbal, Galápagos, with my son Andrés, who was born with Down syndrome in 1993.

Raising a child with special needs as a single mom with no other family on a small island—far from the mainland and without resources, programs, or specialized schools—was an enormous challenge. But through perseverance and sacrifice, we overcame many barriers together.

When Andrés was a teenager, I secured a scholarship for him to study in Guayaquil, on the mainland. After four years of effort (2008–2012), he proudly graduated from high school.

Since childhood, Andrés has found joy and purpose in dance. Thanks to his talent, he has been awarded scholarships by local academies and has competed in both national and international events. He also loves playing table tennis three times a week. Watching him shine on stage has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

Andrés has inspired me to help other families too. With the support of psychologists and professionals from the mainland, I organized free workshops for parents of children with autism here in San Cristóbal. Though unpaid, these experiences filled me with gratitude and a sense of community.

To provide for us, I have worked in many jobs—cleaning, childcare, small repairs, cooking, and now part-time office work. I also make and sell crafts on weekends at the waterfront street fair. My days begin at 5:45 a.m. and end late at night, but my greatest motivation has always been ensuring a better future for Andrés.

Our Struggle for Housing

Our most urgent challenge is housing. Affordable rentals in town have nearly disappeared as apartments are converted to Airbnbs. During the pandemic, Andrés and I even lived in the coliseo (public stadium) with three other families. Since then, we have moved between friends’ homes, farther from the city center, where transportation is costly and unreliable.

For many years, I applied for a municipal land grant, but promises were never fulfilled—until January 2025, when with the help of the new administration, our dream finally came true. We now have a small piece of land, legally in Andrés’s name. This is a huge step forward, but the next step—building a modest, dignified home—is beyond our reach financially.

An architect friend has designed a simple two-bedroom, one-bath house for us, and I have obtained quotes for construction. Even the most basic design is far too expensive for me to afford alone.

Why We Need Your Help

Andrés is now 31. While he has gained independence in many ways, he will always need care and stability. My dream is to build a safe, permanent home where we can both live with dignity, peace, and security.

I have worked hard my entire life, and I will continue to do so—but this time, I cannot do it alone. That is why I am humbly asking for your help. Every contribution, no matter how small, will bring us closer to having a real home of our own.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading our story and for considering supporting us.

With gratitude,

Bella & Andrés

Construction Cost Breakdown for Bella & Andres’s Home

We’ve carefully prepared a detailed budget to show exactly how your contributions will be used. Every dollar will go directly toward building materials and labor.

Foundation & Plumbing – $1,729.08

Cement, wood, nails, steel mesh, PVC pipes, and fittings for a solid base and water system.

MATERIALS PURCHASED 08OCT2025; ONE TRUCKLOAD OF SAND PURCHASED 06NOV2025

Electrical – $490.79

Wiring, breaker box, outlets, light fixtures, and bulbs to safely power the home.

Walls – $2,003.07

Concrete blocks, cement, rebar, and sand to build sturdy walls.

Roof – $1,182.61

Metal roofing sheets, galvanized straps, shingles, and screws.

Bathroom – $771.03

Toilet, sink, shower, faucet, tiles, pipes, window, and door.

Kitchen – $203.27

Sink, faucet, trap, and window.

Miscellaneous & Labor – $4,928.61

Mortar, doors, windows, and the skilled labor to put everything together.

✨GRAND TOTAL: $11,308.46