On the evening of July 4th, 2025, catastrophic floods devastated communities along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas.

In less than an hour, the water rose over 26 feet (8 meters), sweeping away homes and lives. More than 135 people died, including 28 children. The emotional impact of this disaster is immense.

My name is Natalia Peschiera Picasso. I am a Healing Educator and part of Emergency Pedagogy Without Borders USA, an organization that brings trauma informed pedagogy to American communities.

Founded in the work of Bernd Ruf’s Emergency Pedagogy, we are Waldorf educators and art therapists trained to help children process trauma through creative, structured, and developmentally appropriate activities.

We step into disaster-affected communities to offer trauma relief, helping children begin to process their experiences and preventing the long-term effects of trauma, such as PTSD.

Why This Work Matters

After disasters like this flood, children often carry invisible wounds. They may regress in their development, withdraw from relationships, act out in fear or aggression, or display anxiety and sleeplessness. These are natural trauma responses, but without intervention, they can harden into lifelong patterns of pain such as PTSD.

Our mission is to give children and families, the tools they need to heal. Through rhythm, movement, storytelling, and art, we create safe spaces where trauma can begin to release, and resilience can grow.

Mission in Texas

From October 7–13, 2025, Emergency Pedagogy Without Borders USA will travel to Kerr County, Texas, with the founder of Emergency Pedagogy, Mr. Bernd Ruf, to lead a week-long intervention that is offered to the community for free.

We will provide:

• Workshops for children and adolescents: art, movement, rhythm, and community-building activities

• Support for caregivers and teachers: lectures and tools to guide families through trauma

• Community offerings – educational offerings to the wider community.

Our aim is to prevent long-term PTSD and to nurture recovery in the communities most affected by the floods.

Why We Need Your Support:

This fundraiser is on behalf of Emergency Pedagogy Without Borders USA.

Center for Anthroposophy’s Kairos Institute ‘Crisis Intervention’ is sponsoring this Fundraiser.

Until now, every intervention in the U.S. has been completely self-funded by volunteers. While we have managed, this model excludes many highly trained trauma-informed educators who simply cannot afford the costs of travel, lodging, or materials.

With your help, we can cover essential expenses such as :

• Lodging and meals for volunteers

• Local transportation in Texas

• Workshop and art supplies

• Materials for caregiver and teacher trainings

Let’s Make a Difference Together

Trauma relief is often overlooked, but with your support, we can ensure children and families in Kerr County, TX, have the care they need to move forward with strength and hope.

Together we can turn trauma into resilience.

Please consider becoming part of this effort by donating to this mission and sharing this page widely. Every gift, no matter the size, helps bring healing where it is most urgently needed.

With gratitude,

Natalia Peschiera Picasso

on behalf of

Emergency Pedagogy Without Borders USA

Texas July Floods AP News Report

No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe