In 2021 my travels led me randomly to a small desert town named Jacumba in California, on the border of Mexico. A small place of 500 inhabitants, a natural hot spring lake, coyotes, rattelsnakes, wild horses, a 100-year-old ruins from its grand heydays in the 1920s, and a hotel in the process of being rebuilt. A little place where I found magic still exists and I have been documenting it ever since.

Among the locals, I met Leah Wells, an OG cowgirl who grew up in Jacumba, who was wrangling wild horses as a child. She is one of the purest, humblest, and kindest souls I've met. She's had a rough life, living in a garage the past few years and surviving off the bare minimum. Currently, she works hard as a cleaning lady, but it's barely enough to make ends meet. The nearest grocery store is a 45-minute drive away, and she can rarely afford the gas to go back and forth, yet have a functional truck that can handle the ride. She also lost her horse in a tragic accident 7 months ago and is grieving the loss of her best friend. Despite all of this, there is never I time I meet her where she is not offering me gifts- a necklace, some earrings or a bracelet. Whatever she has to give.

We are fundraising to help Leah Wells improve her living conditions and give back to this kind soul. Any donations will be highly appreciated!