DISABLED - OLD gofund.me 47648b0c $1-5

Hi I'm Shanda Quintal from New Orleans, creator of Thrive International, a global network of eco-villages focused on the healing and well-being of our most vulnerable. And we're starting in beautiful Belize!

(But this Ain’t Just a Village – It’s a Whole Plot Twist!)

Shift the paradigm with Thrive and let’s redefine community!

Help Build the Common Area of Thrive International - Phase One

More than just a village. It’s a global movement.

This land is paid for. Now we just build.

How Thrive International Began

Full disclosure: In 2019, Thrive was initially, and unofficially, called SOBA International—Save Our Black A***s International. A good friend—a brilliant Black businessman—told me I couldn’t go out in public like that. So, he suggested something that looked good on paper for the people with paper: Secured Offshore Block Assets.

Then the pandemic hit, and I knew none of this was about surviving. It's about THRIVING. So, Thrive International was born from the idea that we deserve more than just getting by. It’s about living fully—rooted, resilient, and together. We’ve been in survival mode since 1502, when that first ship landed in Alkebulan. Now, it’s time to thrive.

Side note #1: The Just as important as giving is sharing.

When you spread the word, you help us build visibility, momentum, and the collective voice needed to move major funders to act.

Side note #2: For people considering making an escape, I have some suggestions at the bottom of the page.

Irma, me and Wil, my Belizean fam.

My Personal Healing Journey

This isn’t just a "project" for me—it’s personal. I recently suffered two major, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that still have me fighting migraines and dealing with other challenges daily. Getting to Belize to start Thrive isn’t just about building a village—it’s also about starting my own healing journey.

I need a safe space to recover, rebuild, and reconnect with nature. Thrive International will be that space—not just for me but for others who need peace, a place to truly breathe, and the sacred space to heal physically, mentally and spiritually.

Your support means I can move forward—not just with the project, but with my own path to wellness.

The creek at Thrive.

Watch and listen to its healing flow.

Why We Need Your Help Now

We’re not just building a structure. We’re reclaiming community. Thrive International is a way to remember how to build relationships—across cultures and across the diaspora. It’s about creating a refuge—for Belizeans affected by climate change and for members of the diaspora looking to escape systemic barriers.

The first step is to construct the Common Area—a multi-use hub that includes:

• ‍ NOURISH: A Communal Kitchen: For cooking, shared meals, and food as a form of celebration and resistance

• ‍ VIBE: Meditation and Wellness Studio: A space for rest, reflection, and culturally relevant healing

• GROOVE: Music/Theater Spaces: For storytelling, cultural expression, workshops and performances

This Common Area will be the heart of the ecovillage—supporting education, climate resilience training, and reconnection within the diaspora.

The Bigger Picture

Thrive International Belize is the “beta” site of a global network of ecovillages. Once we have all of the systems securely in place, Thrive International will expand to other locations where people seeking refuge can come together to create community and heal.

That is how humans made it this far...TOGETHER.

We planted these Mahogany seedlings in 2021

Our Funding Goal: $95,000

Your donation will help build this essential space. Here’s the breakdown:

• $20,000 – Sustainable building materials (bamboo, adobe, thatch)

• $15,000 – Skilled local labor

• $15,000 – Solar power setup (panels and battery storage)

• $10,000 – Rainwater harvesting system

• $10,000 – Land clearing (to prepare the site)

• $10,000 – Kitchen appliances and setup

• $5,000 – Furniture for classrooms and wellness spaces

• $5,000 – Waste management system

• $5,000 – Architect and permitting fees

Vibe, Nourish and Groove

The Commons would consist of three structures:

◦ Vibe, a meditation and relaxation studio with indoor and outdoor areas (L),

◦ Nourish, the communal kitchen and indoor dining area (C), and

◦ Groove, a space for wellness workshops, creative expressions, and cultural exchange (R).

What Makes Thrive International Unique

This ecovillage, a blended intentional community, is designed to:

✅ Foster social equity through land access, education, and community wellness

✅ Support coastal Belizean families displaced by climate change with lifetime land easements

✅ Offer research opportunities for HBCU students and public health professionals

✅ Engage globally in climate education and leadership

✅ Welcome members seeking safety and community beyond U.S. systemic barriers

How We’ll Sustain Ourselves

Once systems are in place, Thrive International will generate income and resilience through:

• Bamboo cultivation and processing for building and export

• Research and education collaborations with universities and institutions

• Global partnerships focused on climate action, health, and heritage

• Volunteer and retreat programs centered on healing and permaculture

Phase Two: Building the Future

Phase Two is where the village truly comes to life. Once the Common Area is complete, we’ll move on to building additional structures that support learning, innovation, and sustainable living:

• Bamboo Processing Facility: Supporting local economies through sustainable construction materials.

• ️ Bunkhouses: Safe, comfortable lodging for STEM high school students, medical students, and public health researchers.

• Horse Stables: For eco-tourism and sustainable land management programs.

• Laboratory: A research hub for tropical diseases, environmental science, and community health.

These structures will expand Thrive International’s capacity to educate, innovate, and sustain itself, while offering transformative experiences for visitors and residents alike.

The Maya Mountains, Belize

Join Us in Laying the Foundation

This is more than just a village. It’s a path to freedom. It’s a place where we gather our stories, find healing, and remember who we are—together. Your support builds more than walls—it builds belonging, resilience, and a future where we don’t just survive, we thrive.

Donate and SHARE today, and be a part of something powerful and lasting.

Every dollar counts because,

Every solar panel matters, and

Every step takes us closer to home.

_____________________________________________________

Epilogue

Coastal Erosion, Monkey River Village, Belize - 2004 and 2024

In 2021, I went to Monkey River Village three times to check out the village. I'd read some articles about their struggles and wanted to see if there was anything I could do. I sent some of the videos I made while there to some environmental documentarians (which I clearly am not, evidenced by said videos). And in 2022, after 10+ years of Monkey River residents pleading for help, the United Nations apparently got wind of their plight and helped shore up their coast.

Looks like the stars aligned...

If you're interested in creating an intentional community of your own, get with your family and friends (or like-minded people), pool yall resources, research countries that have folks who are displaced (or are soon to be displaced) because of climate change but can't afford to relocate, and invite Nationals into community with you. You will literally have instant "family" who will look out for you, because you're looking out for them, too.

And if that's not an option, you can always seek asylum...