Hello everyone,

I’m Erika and here I am again with GoFundMe, this time to support two truly incredible people: Sarah and Steve.

Since 2019, they have been restoring an old Portuguese village called Chumbaria, bringing it back to life in a completely sustainable way. I had the privilege of meeting them last October, when I volunteered there, and it was honestly the best volunteering experience I’ve ever had! The village they’ve rebuilt is beautiful, full of soul and love, and the time I spent there created unforgettable memories and experiences.

Sadly, they’ve recently been hit by severe storms and heavy rain in Portugal, which caused serious damage to several buildings. Their beautiful rental houses, which are their main source of income, and their own home were badly affected but they are fortunately covered by insurance. However, the volunteers’ accommodation could not be insured and has been badly damaged. For Sarah and Steve, volunteers are not just helpers… they become family! I experienced this myself: they treat everyone like their own kids. But without safe accommodation, they can’t host volunteers and without volunteers, the restoration of Chumbaria slows down even more. They have done so much for their local community and are deeply loved and appreciated. They’ve also been through more challenges in life than most people ever see, so I guess this fundraiser is my way of saying thank you to them and a way of helping them continue the beautiful work they’ve dedicated their lives to.

Any contribution, big or small, will truly make a difference for them. Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting!