Support Rancho A1: the aftermath of the fire

Who knows me knows that Rancho A1 was my place in this world. It was a stilt house built of wood and straw, with no electricity or running water, were I grew up. Last week an unhoused person broke in in search of warmth, turned on our broken fireplace. The whole house was lit on fire. Nothing was left. 

The stilt house was a symbol of love and care for a way of life that is fading away. Where one values what’s essential and realizes we do not need much to live a fulfilling life. But as the person from the local radio told me, “this is about a legacy that trascends the familiar.” These stilt houses were important cultural and historical landmarks in the area, serving as iconic representations of the region’s traditional architecture and their exemplary modest way of life since 1904. This house was the last one of its kind left standing.

I am still assessing the situation with professionals to see what can be done. For now I want to take care of the garden and keep working on the film I have been working on since 2022. We want to clean the area, and remove the things that could harm the environment or others: window glass, nails, and galvanized wire. When I got there and contemplated the first thing that came out from my mouth was: “it’s a garden now”. Confirming that the construction really was not invasive to the environment and left the place as it was before we arrived. We want to finish cleaning the area as a way to honor and respect the place.

My deepest gratitude to the hundreds of people who have reached out to me, from all over the world and different times of my life. 

Thank you for caring

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We are now accepting donations to deal with the aftermath of the fire. Please specify in your donations if you want it to go towards:

1. CARE — cleaning and caring for the land, especially the garden that still grows. Removal of what is dangerous for the environment (glass, galvanized wire, nails).

2. MEMORY — the restauration of the well as memorial, a gesture of gratitude and remembrance for the village (the possibility of restauration and/or reconstruction of the house is currently under assessment)

3. CREATION — the film project in progress since 2022. The film serves as a dreamlike portrait of this place and a way of life that is fading away

Or UNRESTRICTED DONATION. (All unspecified donations will be considered unrestricted!) 

All unallocated funds will go towards supporting unhoused people, in recognition that the fire was caused by someone unhoused in search of refuge.

Thank you for your care and support

❤️‍

Quemaron el rancho la semana pasada. No quedó nada. Estamos recibiendo donaciones para poder avanzar después del incendio. Este rancho es parte de un legado que trasciende lo familiar. Era un emblema e identidad del pueblo de Aguas Dulces, Rocha, Uruguay. 

Por ahora, podés elegir entre las siguientes areas donde querés que se destine tu aporte, especificalo en tu donación:

1. CUIDADO — para limpiar y cuidar el lugar, especialmente el jardín que quedó. Esto incluye el costo de quitar los materiales dañinos para el ambiente (vidrios, alambres, clavos).

2. MEMORIA — restauración la cachimba/aljibe como monumento, gesto de gratitud y recuerdo para el pueblo (la posibilidad de esta restauración y/o la reconstrucción esta siendo evaluada)

3. CREACIÓN — para apoyar el proyecto de película sobre este lugar que está llevando a cabo Dulce Lamarca desde 2022

También podés hacer una DONACIÓN SIN RESTRICCIONES, y destinaremos los fondos donde más se necesiten. (Todas las donaciones sin especificaciones serán consideradas sin restricciones!)

En el caso de que sobren fondos estos seran utilizados para apoyar a personas en situación de calle, en reconocimiento de que el incendio fue causado por alguien que buscaba refugio.

Gracias por el apoyo