After 30 years of working to support the weavers of Indonesia through Threads of Life, William and I now find ourselves in need of support. Five feet of muddy water have undermined the foundations of the home we hoped to retire in and our financial security.

At 75, I have felt a deep pull to spend more time with my family, my sisters, and children in the US. While William is still committed to running the Threads of Life social enterprise and Bebali Foundation in Bali, Indonesia, I have been transitioning into retirement and setting us up for when William also retires.

Last December, with help from my daughter, William and I purchased a small home in Paonia, Colorado, near two of my sisters. We put all our cash into the down payment on the house, and together with my sisters, Jean just finished 3 months of work renovating it, so it is not only livable but charming. Then, two weeks later, the basement was inundated with water, and the $60,000 bill for repairs puts all our plans in jeopardy.

On April 23rd, we almost lost it all. A sudden surge of water escaped from an irrigation ditch over 100 yards (100 meters) away, across two fields and a road. In the 30 minutes it took to shut off the source, a river of mud flooded our home, filling the basement with five feet of water, ruining the furnace, water heater, personal property, and much worse, undermining the very foundation of the entire south wall of our new home.

Thanks to the quick thinking of a friend, the main floor of the house was saved. Even so, the damage is extensive. After pumping out the water, we have removed approximately 750 gallons (2800 liters) of mud and must repair the damage it caused. We need to begin foundation repairs as soon as possible to prevent further structural damage and long-term mold issues.

And because this was not caused by a storm or a pipe failure, our insurance has declined the claim, and there is no responsible party to hold liable.

Our Goal

Our goal is to raise $25,000 to restore our home. We are asking for your help because we cannot recover from this on our own.

How your support will help:

1. Repairing and stabilizing the damaged foundation

2. Professional water extraction and mold remediation

3. Replacing the furnace and water heater and personal property

4. Creating drainage to protect the home from future flooding

After a lifetime of working to support others, it is not easy to ask—but we believe deeply in the power of community.

If you can give, even a small amount, or share this with others, it would mean more than we can express.

With deep gratitude,

Jean and William