My name is Natalia and only a few months ago, I was living my dream that has now turned into a nightmare. I was renting a small room from a friend, in a house in Malibu, which has been turned into ash by the Palisades fire with all my things. My business, my clothes, everything burned up. Even my suitcase that was always with me through all my life’s moves (all the way from Siberia), is now gone. The fire was so hot that it melted metal and burned stone. I left in the morning and by the time I heard about the fire, it was too late to return to get anything.

It’s painful and traumatic for so many of us. Luckily, I found a place to stay for a few weeks, but I am out of options on how to start rebuilding my life without help. There is no insurance for staying with friends. I have always been generous with others and now need to depend on the kindness of strangers.

I am now need to rebuild my business (independent videographer), buy some clothes, figure out where and how to live. Any little bit helps. Thank you, everyone, for everything that you do.