05/27/2026
This is exactly why I always disclose how anything I ever do for myself is paid for. Always. Because when I spent a month in Haiti, the third poorest country in the world, to build a school made of trash, I was called out for being selfish. I was told I take other people’s money and go on glamorous vacations. I read this while I was standing in garbage. And now once again, I find myself in a developing country, where I paid to get here on my own, and I am also the number one contributor to mine nonprofit, but I constantly have to disclose even the tiniest thing I do for myself.
I have no home. I spent a year living in a camper. For the first four months I was in a camper that was in no way safe enough or warm enough for me or my animals. But I did it because I refused to leave my home while any of those animals were still there.
Yes, I am in Ecuador, but I am still paying about 70% of the expenses of my nonprofit. I still do not have a home. I have no idea if I will ever get another home. I am also still running the operation completely on my own. That means all of the business administration, all of the fundraising, etc.
We have no income right now other than our monthly donors. We cannot rent out our pool. We cannot have campers. We cannot do tours. That made up for about 15-20k of income for us and it’s gone.
Please, stop doing this to women who have dedicated themselves to a life of service. The only reason I can even afford to be here in Ecuador, is because I was a consultant in my previous life. I quit my career, my very lucrative career, to rescue animals full-time. I have a sliver of a retirement because of that, but the pressure and the anxiety and the stress was so insurmountable that I decided I would tap into that money, the money for my future, to just give myself something. Anything. To make this life more manageable.
The incredible people running sweep bear rescue farm right now are doing an excellent job. I am so grateful and proud of them.
Thanks for listening. Kitten pics coming soon to balance out the bad with good,
