Save our Sisters

Carley Fonville and Emily DuBois have lost pretty much everything to the eruption of Halama’uma’u, the volcano on Hawaii, on April 30. While the lava has not covered their land, they were close enough to be forced to evacuate. On their land they had a retreat center, started in 2003, called Dakini Gardens. They hosted a small Shambhala Center, and invited various people to teach and stay on retreat. Emily practices Taiji and Carley is a devoted Kagyu Buddhist/Shambhala practitioner. After a time, they added a house and a retreat house. When Shambhala could no longer include them as a center, they sought to raise money through sheep farming and vegetable farming. Emily is a well known textile artist and sells her art. Carley was cross breeding sheep to create a sheep for both wool and milk. They had just hatched baby chickens.

The eruption has caused earthquakes,  steam fissures and poisonous gases all around them. They had no insurance because being close to the volcano prevented it. They escaped with their dog, cat, and chickens, and some personal belongings, but had to leave the sheep behind. They gave their trained dog back to the breeder. Chickens will also not leave Hawaii. They have decided, since they are both around 70, to move back to Europe. They are selling their car and truck, but have really nothing to pay for a move, plane tickets, and so on. 

We are starting with $20,000 to get them on their way, and will likely add to the fundraising goal once they have reached Europe and know what they will need there to restart.  We'd like to raise the $20,000 in three or four days, if possible, to cover travel expenses and moving costs for the personal items they were able to save.  We are asking sangha and other friends to share the link widely, urging people to send what they can. Carley and Emily don't even have coats or sweaters to wear in Europe, only tropic-weight clothes. They have no way to rent an apartment or buy a place. 

Selling the land is uncertain. They may have to file for bankruptcy. Any amount you can give will help get our dharma sisters to safety and a fresh start. They have given so much to so many over the years. Now's a chance to thank them. Please include them in your practice, as well, whatever practice you embrace.

I am Fionna Bright, a friend of Carley's from long ago, at the 1985 Vajradhatu Seminary. We connected on Facebook recently and I have been trying to help her and Emily rent their teahouse retreat. All funds will go to Carley and Emily for their losses, their travel, moving, and relocation expenses. I'm doing this because, well, they are my friends and sisters in the dharma and they deserve our help in this time of need. Please join me in supporting them. We can all celebrate together as they meet the challenges of starting over.

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