Help Kali Kai Recover from Severe Health Issues and Theft

Hello, my name is Cory Gautereaux, founder of The GOAT Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to combating human trafficking and nefarious activity along the U.S./Mexico border through intelligence gathering and collaboration with law enforcement.

I'm reaching out today on behalf of our dear friend, Kali Kai. Kali has been an invaluable asset to our mission, tirelessly supporting efforts to monitor and report suspicious border activity in remote and challenging areas. His commitment has made a real difference in keeping our communities safer.

Unfortunately, Kali has faced an untimely series of hardships since the day after Thanksgiving, and he needs our help to get back on his feet.

It started when Kali woke up barely able to breathe. Border Patrol agents responded to his call for help, found him disoriented on his property, and rushed him to the hospital via EMT. Doctors diagnosed him with severe pneumonia that had likely been building for weeks. He was struggling to speak even during a recent visit from our team, but pushed through without realizing how serious it was.

Just days later, disaster struck again: Kali developed a strangulated hernia requiring emergency surgery and a full week of hospital recovery. He was extremely weak, with strict restrictions against lifting anything over 3 pounds and ongoing breathing difficulties.

Tragically, while Kali was in the hospital for the hernia surgery, someone broke into and ransacked his RV. They attempted to steal both of his trucks (leaving screwdrivers in the ignitions), stole most of his clothes, tools, new lithium-ion battery chargers, and many other essential items. The interior was completely destroyed, leaving him with no safe place to rest or recover upon discharge.

Thankfully, Kali and some of the other members where he resides had recently been working to set up a small cabin on his property as a more permanent living space. Basic appliances and power from a generator were hooked up just in time. But the cabin was otherwise completely bare — no furniture, bedding, or household essentials.

Fresh out of the hospital, weak and still recovering, Kali had no choice but to push himself to make the space livable. In doing so, he overexerted and required home nursing visits to care for his surgical staples and ongoing health issues.

It's been a brutal couple month for Kali. He's far from fully recovered, still dealing with breathing problems and post-surgery limitations, all while starting from scratch in a stripped-bare home after losing so much to theft.

We're raising funds to help Kali rebuild:

- Replace stolen clothing, tools, chargers, and essential personal items

- Furnish the cabin with basics like a bed, seating, kitchen supplies, and storage

- Cover medical expenses, follow-up care, and any home nursing needs

- Provide general support during his recovery so he can rest without financial stress

Any amount helps, even small donations add up to make a big difference for someone who's given so much to protect our borders. Kali is a fighter, and with your support, he'll get through this and return to the important work he loves.

Thank you for reading Kali's story and for any contribution you can make. Please share this campaign with your networks to spread the word.

Together, we can help our friend heal and get back to standing strong.

— Cory Gautereaux & The GOAT Initiative Team