Help Lucia Get Back on Her Feet & Bring Her Son to Safety

Help Lucia Get Back on Her Feet & Bring Her Son to Safety

Hi, my name is Mar, and I’ve been best friends with Lucia since 2010, when we first met in school in Mexico. From the start, we were inseparable—always chasing adventures and dreaming big together. Life took us in different directions: I moved to Canada in 2017, and Lucia went back to Ecuador to pursue a new degree.

But Ecuador is no longer the home it once was. The country is facing a devastating crisis of economic instability and scarcity, making it incredibly difficult for families to thrive. Lucia has been the sole provider for her parents and her son—three people who rely on her just to make ends meet.

Lucia has always dreamed of becoming a physiotherapist, but in Ecuador, it was impossible. That’s when I encouraged her to take a leap of faith and come to Canada to build a better future—not just for herself, but for her son and family. She worked hard to secure legal residency and is now in the process of getting her physiotherapy credentials recognized.

Being an immigrant is never easy, but Lucia never gave up. She worked hard—cleaning, caregiving, anything she could—to pay off her student loans, support her family, and most importantly, save enough to bring her son to Canada before June 2025.

One of her biggest struggles was simply getting to work. Living in Pemberton without a car meant hitchhiking, walking long distances, or relying on neighbors for rides. But through sheer determination, she saved every dollar she could and, in December 2024, she was finally able to buy her first SUV—a life-changing achievement that gave her the freedom to work more and get closer to bringing her son to safety.

Then, disaster struck.

On February 4, 2025, Lucia, our friend Mariel, and I were driving to Lillooet when we hit black ice just outside town. In an instant, the car skidded out of control, but thanks to the driver’s quick thinking and expertise, she managed to steer the vehicle into a ditch—avoiding a deadly fall off a nearby cliff. It was one of the most terrifying and traumatic moments of our lives, but we know our guardian angels and ancestors were protecting us that day. If not for our seatbelts and airbags, we might not be here today.

Lucia and I are both single mothers, and the only thought in our minds as the accident unfolded was our children. We are beyond grateful to have walked away with our lives, but Lucia lost the car she had worked so hard for—and unfortunately we are not getting any insurance coverage.

Why This Fundraiser Matters

Lucia needs a car to work—and she needs to work to bring her son to Canada.

She is the sole provider for her parents and her son.

Ecuador is facing an economic crisis, making survival even harder for her loved ones.

She only has until June 2025 to reunite with her son and bring him to safety.

Lucia is running out of time. If she can’t recover financially, she may lose the chance to bring her son to Canada this year—and after everything she has been through, we can’t let that happen.

That’s why I’m starting this GoFundMe—to help Lucia get back on her feet by raising enough funds to purchase another vehicle so she can return to work, continue supporting her family, and finally bring her son to safety.

How You Can Help

Any amount, no matter how small, will make a difference.

If you can’t donate, please share this campaign to help us spread the word.

Together, we can help Lucia get back on her feet and bring her son home where he belongs.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ❤️

With love,

Mar