Help My Three Elderly Uncles Rebuild Their Homes After the Earthquake

My name is Andrea, and I live in the United States. I am creating this fundraiser for my three uncles, Leo Palacios Vargas, Ramiro Palacios Vargas, and Efraín Palacios Vargas, who live in the rural community of La Gaviota, Valle del Cauca, Colombia.

I am their niece.

I am raising these funds because my uncles are elderly, live in a very remote rural area, and do not have the resources or ability to organize an online fundraiser or ask for help themselves.

What happened

My three uncles lost their homes after the earthquake that affected their community in Colombia.

Their homes were simple and had been built little by little over many years using their own labor, concrete, wood, and materials available in the area. They had spent years working and improving their homes as they were able to.

After the earthquake, those homes were destroyed.

They are currently staying in temporary shelters. These shelters are not permanent homes and become very cold during the night and early morning. Because my uncles are elderly, these living conditions have become especially difficult for them.

One of my uncles, Leo Palacios Vargas, lives with advanced Parkinson's disease. He lives with his wife, his son, and his grandson, and they also need a safe and permanent home.

My other two uncles, Ramiro and Efraín, live together and need a home of their own.

Why we are asking for help

My uncles have spent their entire lives working in agriculture. They grow and harvest what they can from the land, including coffee. They process and sell coffee to help pay for the food and necessities they cannot produce themselves.

They are humble people who have never had much financially.

They never had the opportunity to establish retirement savings or a pension. Throughout their lives, our family has helped them whenever possible, including with medical care, medication, food, and other necessities.

After the earthquake, our family and friends have continued helping them. At this time, they have food, clothing, and medication.

The urgent need now is housing.

How the $20,000 will be used

Our fundraising goal is $20,000 USD.

The goal is approximately $10,000 for each of two homes.

$10,000 — Home for Ramiro and Efraín

This portion of the funds will be used toward the construction of a permanent and safer home for the two brothers, including construction materials, concrete, walls, structural components, roofing, and necessary labor.

$10,000 — Home for Leo and his family

This portion will be used toward construction of a permanent and safer home for Leo, his wife, his son, and his grandson, including construction materials, concrete, walls, structural components, roofing, and necessary labor.

The exact construction costs will depend on local material prices, transportation, labor, and the construction requirements of the site. We will use the funds raised for the construction of these two homes and will document the progress of the project as the homes are rebuilt.

We are not currently raising money for furniture, appliances, vacations, or other nonessential expenses. Our immediate goal is simply to help them have safe, permanent homes again.

If we raise less than our $20,000 goal, the funds will still be used toward the construction and rebuilding of the homes according to the needs of the project.

Why this means so much to our family

My uncles have never had a lot.

They have worked with their hands their entire lives. What they had was built slowly, over many years, through hard work.

Then, in a short period of time, they lost the homes they had spent years building.

I live in the United States, and it is very difficult for me to travel to Colombia and personally manage every part of the rebuilding process. My uncles also live in a very isolated area where access to assistance is limited.

That is why I am asking for help on their behalf.

We want to give them something very simple but very important:

A safe place to live.

A home where they can sleep without being exposed to the cold at night.

A home where Leo can live more safely with Parkinson's disease.

A home where Ramiro and Efraín can feel secure again.

If you are able to donate, every contribution will help us move closer to rebuilding these two homes.

If you cannot donate, sharing this fundraiser is also incredibly valuable. Every share can help this story reach someone who may be able to help.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my family and for helping us give my uncles the chance to rebuild their homes and their lives.

With gratitude,

Andrea