On the morning of Monday, September 30th, we in Voces y Manos received the devastating news that our beloved team member, Loida Sanjay, had passed away due to a serious case of dengue fever. Loidy was and is still deeply loved — by her family, her church community, her friends and colleagues in Voces y Manos, and by the community members she served as an agroecology outreach worker. She leaves an enormous void in all of our hearts, a legacy of magnificent work promoting agroecology in her communities, and precious memories. We are creating this GoFundMe to honor Loida's memory and to help her family cover the exorbitant hospital bill they accrued.

One of the things that stood out to all of us when reflecting on Loida is that she was so much more than a colleague; she was a dear friend to all of us. When we traveled to her hometown of Santo Domingo Xenacoj to attend her funeral, we were able to see the community that raised her, and whose lives she touched. We could see how her many wonderful qualities — an open-heartedness, kindness, and deep faith — were reflected in the family and community that raised her. It was clear how deeply this entire community loved and admired Loida and her family.

Amidst this immense loss, we are reminded of Loida's incredible spirit and the legacy she leaves behind. She trusted readily and shared her friendship, inspiring others to trust in her. She was always ready to cheer others up, with text message, a smile, a joke, or a trip on motorcycle. When she saw that others were sad, she was known to sing the theme song of “Dora the Explorer,” which never failed to elicit laughter.

Loida approached everything she did with a maturity beyond her years, and an ability to match intense focus with a lighthearted energy. She had an uncanny ability to keep everyone on task, while also buoying our spirits. Through her calm presence, she transmitted a sense of peace and tranquility to others.

Loida's passing has left an indelible mark on our organization and the wider community she served. Her absence is felt deeply in our office space, and whenever we do the activities she loved -- like soccer, farming, and cooking. We miss her deeply, yet strive to continue the important work she was so passionate about, carrying her memory with us as inspiration and motivation.

We are creating this GoFundMe to honor Loida's memory and to support her family during this difficult time. Your donations will help cover funeral expenses and the exorbitant hospital bill the family accrued during her final days. Additionally, a portion of the funds will be used to establish an internship fund in Loida's name, providing opportunities for young people who share her passion for agroecology and community development. By contributing, you're helping Loida’s family spend their energies on grieving the loss of their daughter, not worrying about medical debt. In addition, you're helping to ensure that Loida's legacy of love, laughter, and dedication to community work continues to flourish.

–Loida’s friends in Voces y Manos