Last Saturday, November 7, a tornado swept through the heart of Ciranda, bringing down dozens of trees, many of them old and majestic, some completely uprooted, and causing significant damage to our land.
Most of the destruction occurred in our beloved garden, between our main temples and the Fire Circle.
First and foremost, we feel deeply grateful that everyone is safe and no one was injured. Our two main ceremonial spaces, Buddha Hall and the Cura Room, were also spared.
However, several roofs, including those of the casitas, ranchitos, and Little Buddha, were damaged, along with other structures throughout the property.
Paulinho and his team are already working tirelessly on the recovery. But the extent of the damage calls for a major collective effort. We have weeks of intensive work ahead of us, involving specialized teams, equipment, the removal of large fallen trees, and the restoration of damaged structures.
Ciranda’s garden after the tornado.
Replanting the garden
Those who know Ciranda understand that these trees were so much more than part of the landscape. They offered us shade, listened to our music, and witnessed countless ceremonies and gatherings. Seeing their ancient roots exposed, torn from the earth, is heartbreaking, but it also opens space for something new to bloom.
We dream of caring for the clearings that have opened up, planting native and fruit-bearing trees, and allowing those that have fallen to continue their story in a different form.
We want to build a dedicated space where this wood can be stored, prepared, and transformed into benches, furniture for the casitas, new gathering spaces, and perhaps even musical instruments. In this way, the trees that once sheltered our circles can continue to be part of them.
At the same time, we need to look after the safety of our land. Beyond the trees that have fallen, others remain damaged or unstable, and large branches are still hanging overhead, requiring professional assessments and specialized tree care.
With growing concerns about extreme weather events, we also want to prepare Ciranda for the future, protecting our spaces, our community, and the forest that embraces us.
This is why we are creating the Ciranda Recovery and Regeneration Fund, with an initial fundraising goal of US$20,000.
A path through Ciranda’s garden after the tornado.
To give you a clearer sense of the scale of this challenge, we estimate that labor costs alone for the first month of cutting and removing fallen trees, repairing damaged structures, and building a storage and woodworking shed will amount to approximatelyR$35,000 (around US$6,300).
In addition, we face significant expenses for construction materials, equipment, and tools — such as heavy-duty transport carts, which cost around R$2,000 (approximately US$360) — as well as chainsaw maintenance and accessories, fuel, and the hiring of qualified professionals to assess the risks posed by trees that are still standing.
These are just a few examples of the investments needed to restore Ciranda safely and with care.
The funds raised will support three essential areas:
Recovery and Safety:Hiring specialized teams, removing and managing fallen trees, purchasing equipment, tools, and fuel, and repairing damaged structures.
Prevention and Resilience:Professional assessments of the remaining trees, removal of hazardous branches and trees, and preventive measures to make our spaces safer.
Regeneration and New Beginnings:Planting native and fruit-bearing trees, restoring the garden, and building a space for storing, treating, and repurposing the fallen wood.
More than simply repairing the damage, we want to transform this challenging moment into an opportunity for renewal.
If Ciranda holds a special place in your heart and your story, we warmly invite you to help us care for this new chapter.
Every contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference.
A message from Ciranda
How to donate
Any amount is welcome. Choose a region and use the bank details in your banking app or on your bank’s website.
Donations go to Ronaldo Leite de Freitas’s account for the Ciranda Recovery & Regeneration Fund.
Pix
BRL
Open Pix in your bank app, choose CPF as the key type, and paste the key.
