Coronavirus, financial help
Donation protected
#SmallBusinessRelief
I grew up deep in the remote jungles of Costa Rica, in a house with a dirt floor, no running water or electricity and very little food. With no hospitals or medical help my Mother was forced to deliver most of my siblings on her own.
Unable to read or write, my Dad worked farming jobs to make ends meet.
My brothers and sisters completed little more than an elementary school education.
As a young child, I dreamed of completing my high school education and going to college. Although lack of money and no schools within walking distance seemed like insurmountable obstacles, I refused to give up on my dream of an education. Somehow I found a way.
Working long days and going to school at night, I accomplished my dream of finishing high school and began my college education. Sadly, two family tragedies occurred during that time. One of my brothers committed suicide and another suffered from schizophrenia. Devastated and struggling to cope with my grief I decided to put college aside. As if things could not possibly become any worse, I contracted rheumatic fever and almost died.
These life challenges caused me to become even more inspired and motivated to succeed. I believed I could accomplish my dreams of success by moving to the USA. Leaving my family, friends, culture and everything else behind was difficult but I was determined to escape poverty and earn enough money to send to my family.
Little did I know what lay ahead as I stepped onto the plane that would bring me to the United States. As our plane was about to land an announcement came on over the speaker system:
"Our landing gear is not working. We will attempt a manual landing but there’s a good chance the plane will be sliding on the runway. Please put your hand around knees and put your head forward.”
It was April 2001, but I remember that moment as if it was yesterday. It was terrifying!
Fast forward to 2020. Minnesota is now my second home and I am deeply grateful to every single person who has helped me along the way. Minnesota is where I started my dance business, got married and enjoy raising our daughter with my wife, Rebecca.
Over the last 19, years we have invested our heart and soul into teaching others the joy of ballroom dancing. It is our passion and what we love to do!
Life was going extremely well until the corona virus. We have closed our doors to avoid spreading the virus. It was an extremely difficult decision to make but we knew in our hearts it was the right thing to do. Many of our students are over 50 years old and protecting their health is our number one priority.
It is with great difficulty I am reaching out for your help as we find ourselves in an unsettling situation and I am greatly concerned for the well- being of our family here in Minnesota and my family in Costa Rica, whom rely on us financially, since this pandemic is affecting them as well.
Ever since I was a child, I found a way to survive so, again, this is difficult.
I find myself in a situation where I need to reach out. If you are able, I am humbly asking for any donations you may be able offer. We will always be thankful to you for being there when we most needed it.
Sincerely,
Eliecer,Rebecca and Lucia Ramirez
Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studio.
#SmallBusinessRelief
I grew up deep in the remote jungles of Costa Rica, in a house with a dirt floor, no running water or electricity and very little food. With no hospitals or medical help my Mother was forced to deliver most of my siblings on her own.
Unable to read or write, my Dad worked farming jobs to make ends meet.
My brothers and sisters completed little more than an elementary school education.
As a young child, I dreamed of completing my high school education and going to college. Although lack of money and no schools within walking distance seemed like insurmountable obstacles, I refused to give up on my dream of an education. Somehow I found a way.
Working long days and going to school at night, I accomplished my dream of finishing high school and began my college education. Sadly, two family tragedies occurred during that time. One of my brothers committed suicide and another suffered from schizophrenia. Devastated and struggling to cope with my grief I decided to put college aside. As if things could not possibly become any worse, I contracted rheumatic fever and almost died.
These life challenges caused me to become even more inspired and motivated to succeed. I believed I could accomplish my dreams of success by moving to the USA. Leaving my family, friends, culture and everything else behind was difficult but I was determined to escape poverty and earn enough money to send to my family.
Little did I know what lay ahead as I stepped onto the plane that would bring me to the United States. As our plane was about to land an announcement came on over the speaker system:
"Our landing gear is not working. We will attempt a manual landing but there’s a good chance the plane will be sliding on the runway. Please put your hand around knees and put your head forward.”
It was April 2001, but I remember that moment as if it was yesterday. It was terrifying!
Fast forward to 2020. Minnesota is now my second home and I am deeply grateful to every single person who has helped me along the way. Minnesota is where I started my dance business, got married and enjoy raising our daughter with my wife, Rebecca.
Over the last 19, years we have invested our heart and soul into teaching others the joy of ballroom dancing. It is our passion and what we love to do!
Life was going extremely well until the corona virus. We have closed our doors to avoid spreading the virus. It was an extremely difficult decision to make but we knew in our hearts it was the right thing to do. Many of our students are over 50 years old and protecting their health is our number one priority.
It is with great difficulty I am reaching out for your help as we find ourselves in an unsettling situation and I am greatly concerned for the well- being of our family here in Minnesota and my family in Costa Rica, whom rely on us financially, since this pandemic is affecting them as well.
Ever since I was a child, I found a way to survive so, again, this is difficult.
I find myself in a situation where I need to reach out. If you are able, I am humbly asking for any donations you may be able offer. We will always be thankful to you for being there when we most needed it.
Sincerely,
Eliecer,Rebecca and Lucia Ramirez
Costa Rica Ballroom Dance Studio.
#SmallBusinessRelief
Organizer
Eliecer Ramirez-Vargas
Organizer
Hopkins, MN
