Help Complete the Mindful Monkey

Hi, my name is Sara. Karen is one of my dearest friends. I have watched her go through this whole nightmare of building. It’s been astonishing to see how horribly wrong everything has gone for her. I am shocked everyday that she is holding it together as much as she has. Everyday I have watched as her life savings is washed away. I have watched as her contractor and every worker has pissed away her money with no regard for her or any integrity in their work. No one takes any accountability here. If she can’t get this casita done, she will have no way to survive here. She has even told me that she considered walking away from it all and going back to Canada and starting over, in her 50s. It’s just been devastating for her. I suggested this go fund me. If we all can give a little, it could literally change her life. She just needs to get started here so she can sustain herself and at the same time helping others heal. I have asked her for her story…

I had a dream to create a little ‘peace’ of heaven in the jungle. A place where people could escape the chaos of their everyday lives and immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature.

A healing retreat centre with breathwork, body movement, grounding and nourishing local fruits grown all around.

When I left the grind of the North American lifestyle I was desperate. I felt disconnected from everyone, self-absorbed in my own ‘problems’ and extremely depressed.

After volunteering at a Spiritual/Ayahuasca centre and spending countless hours doing breathwork, beach walks, jungle hikes and being in service to others, the depression began to lift and for the first time in a very long time I felt happy.

While working at the retreat, I met so many people that were suffering just as I had been and I wanted to help everyone find a new way to move forward.

So I purchased a piece of land in the jungle, just 2 km from the beach and I began construction on the Mindful Monkey Jungle Retreat.

My dream is to allow this to be whatever the guest needs. Just some quiet time in the jungle with the monkeys and sloths, toucans and macaws or a full week submersion into detoxification of the body and mind, with breathwork, massage, body movement, nourishing food and connection.

I thought I did all the right things. I got a great reference for the contractor, drew up plans for the architect, had a written contract stating time line and budget, was on site everyday but right from the beginning things started to go wrong.

It became apparent to me that on top of the challenges with language and building in another country, being a lone female here was not going to be easy. My ideas and desires were disregarded. I was shushed many times. Yes actually shushed!

I was told I couldn’t do this or couldn’t have that. That it just wasn’t possible. Then I started to realize that no one on the crew seemed to know what they were doing.

What was suppose to finish in 2 months dragged out for many months and every day a new mistake that needed to be repaired and rebuilt. At the time of writing I am double the quoted price, 6 months into the build and have no septic, well, plumbing etc.

A month ago I fired the contractor after he sent 3 men to my house to demand money from me because he didn’t want to have a difficult conversation with me about the project. The total disregard for my personal safety was astonishing to me.

A couple of Canadian friends stepped up to help and I was overjoyed. However, it quickly became apparent that with just the 3 of us on site we would be here forever and we don’t have the necessary skills to finish all the projects.

I was lucky enough to find a new contractor that is skilled and efficient and that’s when my eyes were opened wider.

There were so many problems that needed fixing beyond what I could see. The brand new roof leaked in so many places that it was raining in the casita, the wall board was put up without putting the plumbing in first, the jacuzzi was built with a heater but only cold water pipes. So many things that were hard to believe anyone could do. I could write a list so long of things that would make your eyes roll and your mouth gape open.

And so that brings me to today. My life savings invested into the project to bring others peace and tranquility, healing and connection and the figurative well has run dry. It is probably 80% finished and there are no more funds to complete it.

My heart is broken.

My friends have been great but I know they see the changes in me. This constant stress and worry has been overwhelming. Everyday, I start with something positive like breathwork or even encouraging

self -talk but my resilience is wavering.

It is hard for me to understand how someone can take advantage of another person to this degree and pretend to be someone they are not.

This has been one of the most difficult experiences in my life and I know one day I will look back and see all the learning and growth that occurred. For now, I’m just trying to get through one day at a time and not become jaded by all of this.

Can you help me bring the Mindful Monkey to Life so that I can share the healing nature of this beautiful place in paradise?

Asking for help is something I have never been very good at. Most of my life I have felt that I needed to prove my independence. To prove that I am a badass but this time, because of the loving support I am receiving from both friends and strangers……..I am asking for help.

I had intended to document this build online because I was so excited to share but it turned out to be such a negative experience for me that I chose not to post much about it. However, last week I posted a video about the situation and the outpouring of kindness, compassion and support was so amazing. It showed me how many people are cheering me on and want me to succeed and this has given me the courage to ask for help. Many people suggested a Gofundme campaign so after initially not wanting to consider this, their support has given me the courage to ask.

All funds raised will be used to complete the construction of the Mindful Monkey and get it’s doors open to receive those that need it.

I would like to offer something in return for your help and if you ever need a place to reconnect with yourself and be supported the Mindful Monkey Jungle Retreat will be here for you.

*No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or promotions are offered in exchange for any donations made to your GoFundMe.