A Journey Back Home: Giving Hope to Libertad, Santa Monica

There are places that never leave your heart, no matter how many miles stand between you and them.

Libertad, Santa Monica is one of those places for me.

This is my birthplace — the place where my life began, where my umbilical cord was buried, and where my earliest memories were shaped. Coming back to help this community, even from far away, feels deeply personal. It is my way of giving back to the land and people who gave me life.

The families we chose to support here are living in extremely difficult conditions. Many of them are staying temporarily along the creek, knowing that soon they will have to leave. The area has been scheduled for road widening, and during the rainy season, mudslides make their situation even more dangerous.

Every day they live with uncertainty — not knowing where they will go next, or how they will find work to support their families once they are relocated.

The burden they carry is heavy.
It is not just the lack of shelter or income, but the constant fear of the unknown —
Where will we live? How will we survive tomorrow?

One recipient, in particular, broke my heart deeply. She had been involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of her left arm. The pain she carries goes beyond the physical injury.

Losing an arm also means losing many opportunities for work, independence, and dignity. When I saw her, the sadness in her eyes spoke louder than words. It is a kind of hardship that is hard to imagine unless you see it up close.

Moments like this remind me how much we often take for granted.

Every day, I find myself thanking God for the graces we have — for safety, stability, and opportunity — especially when I compare our lives to the reality these families face.

I often think about my own childhood here. If circumstances had been slightly different, my story could have ended very differently. I could have been buried in a muddy rice field, bitten by a snake, or lost to the dangers that surrounded us growing up.

This place shaped me.
It taught me resilience, humility, and gratitude.

Even though my lifestyle has changed over the years, I would never trade my childhood here for anything. The struggles, the simplicity, and the sense of community are part of who I am today.

Being able to return — even from afar — and extend help to these families feels like coming full circle. It is not just about providing support; it is about restoring hope, dignity, and reminding them that they are seen, remembered, and not forgotten.

This is why we do what we do.

Because behind every act of giving is a story.
And sometimes, the most meaningful stories begin right where your own life once started.