Healing Souls Sanctuary’s True Mission*
I was born on Wellington Street in Verdun, Montreal—one of the poorest divisions of the city. Growing up in the back alleys of Verdun, I came from a family that knew hardship. My father, one of twelve children, left school in seventh grade to help take care of his siblings. My mother also worked hard in one of the poorest areas of Montreal. We lived through poverty, abusive relationships, and constant financial struggles, yet through it all, we survived. This background taught me resilience and compassion for those less fortunate.
Coming from this experience, I’m now a single mother and an entrepreneur. My journey has taken me through bankruptcy, opening businesses, and learning to support my family while juggling endless challenges. But every step of the way, I've learned to give back, because I know what it's like to go without.
Fast forward to today: I now live in Costa Rica, a country I fell in love with for its biodiversity, culture, and values. I’ve built my life here, surrounded by farmers, the beautiful mountains, and lush rainforests. However, as someone who has worked in real estate, I’ve seen how easy it is for expats like me to be accused of causing **gentrification**—the process where locals are displaced by foreign investment. And I understand the concern.
**But let me be clear: Healing Souls Sanctuary is not here to displace or harm.**
We are a **non-profit** organization. Everyone involved is a volunteer, myself included. We work alongside the local community to provide help where it’s needed most. Whether it’s donating food, providing free medications, veterinary care for farm animals, or offering support to local farmers, our mission is not about making a profit. It’s about **building bridges**, not walls.
At Healing Souls Sanctuary, our goal is to create a sanctuary where animals and humans coexist in harmony. We want to protect the animals that farmers can no longer care for, and offer a place of healing for those animals. Our housing plan includes sustainable tiny homes that will have a minimal environmental impact, with an emphasis on permaculture and conservation. These homes will not drive locals out—rather, we hope to integrate with the local culture and support the community.
**Why We Are Not Gentrifiers:**
- **We don’t seek to make a profit.** All funds raised are for the well-being of animals and the community.
- **We rely on donations**—many from outside Costa Rica—and support from volunteers, not from taking anything away from local people.
- **We work with the community,** hiring locals for any paid work, be it construction, gardening, or veterinary care.
- **Our resources are repurposed.** The food we receive is donated, the building materials we use are recycled, and any revenue generated (such as from tourists visiting the sanctuary) goes directly to supporting the sanctuary's mission.
We understand the fear of gentrification, especially in a beautiful country like Costa Rica, where foreign investment can sometimes feel like an invasion. But I am not here to displace anyone. I was raised in poverty, and I’ve always worked hard to support others in need. Healing Souls Sanctuary was born out of a desire to help—nothing more, nothing less.
**Why This Mission Matters**
For Costa Ricans reading this, I want you to know: **we are on your side.** My team and I work tirelessly to ensure that this sanctuary benefits everyone, especially those who have worked the land for generations. We’re not building fancy developments or high-end resorts. We are building a place where animals, nature, and people can thrive together.
We invite the local community—farmers, artists, children, and volunteers—to be part of this mission. This is not about taking land or resources away from the people of Costa Rica. It’s about **coming together** to support a cause that benefits everyone, especially the local environment and the animals that need it.
We want to break the narrative that our project is anything but **a collective effort to do good**. Healing Souls Sanctuary isn’t about gentrification, it’s about uniting under a common goal: to heal, protect, and give back.
**Join Us**
If you care about animals, permaculture, or simply want to support a positive mission that uplifts both the local people and the environment, we invite you to learn more about us. Healing Souls Sanctuary is an open space for anyone—expats and locals alike—who want to make a difference.
Let’s work together to show that **compassion** and **community** are stronger than fear and misunderstanding.
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