Save B Burger

Regina fancied herself as a writer, but never earned a penny out of her stories. One day, completely broke, she decided to ask for help at the Social Services Office. After standing in a line for several hours, Gabriel, an impertinent 17-year old intern called her.

'How can I help you?'

'Anyway possible!'

'Try to be more specific, please.'

'Ok, let me start from the beginning. I was born poor...'

'Haven't we all? Naked, hungry, dirty - then someone comes and beats us!'

We experienced some awkward seconds of just staring at each other. We could be friends. Then he asked me to go on, but further into time.

'So, last year, my daughter and I sold almost everything we owned, including our house, to buy a vegan fast-food restaurant.'

'Why on earth did you do that?!'

'Well, we were unemployed and had to provide for my 70-year-old parents, 8 cats and a dog. Also, our house needed repairs we couldn't afford.'

"I see... You thought the profit would be enough to rent a house while saving to buy a new one, didn't you?'

'Yes! And eventually, we would be able to found an alternative society.'

'Considering you're here now, I imagine selling healthy burgers hasn't been quite the success...'

'Nope! We had no business experience at all, so we made a few financial mistakes, such as paying our employees too much and sponsoring too many events.'

'You think those are mistakes... I wonder what your opinion on corruption is!'

More seconds of mutual dissidence. He could be my son-in-law. I continued my story.

'Listen, I don't want to blame others for what's happened to me, but... The country is going through a huge crisis, our accountants deceived us, and the banks went on a strike that lasted more than a month, keeping our money so we couldn't pay the bills. Besides, our rents were too high, both to live and to work. We were forced to close our restaurant. We still offer a delivery service, but it's not enough even to pay our landlady! We might be evicted!'

'I understand.. Did you make any loans?'

'We tried! The bank refused because we had a debt with a company.'

'First they prevent you from paying your bills, then they refuse to help you... I think that's how they have so many big houses and extremely expensive cars!'

If only more people could see things like him, we probably wouldn't be in this situation.

'You know there are a lot of people who see things this way? People who are doing well and want others to thrive too!'

'Please tell me who! We really need help to reopen so WE can support others again - the homeless and the artists with free food, the animals with adoption events, the planet with organic food!'

'Create a project at GoGetFunding. It's more than a crowdfunding site - it's a place full of wonderful generous souls eager to contribute to make this world a better place for everybody, especially those who just want to work and build something beautiful!'

And that is our story! Seriously, everything the restaurant owner tells the intern is what happened to Regina (me) and Camila (my daughter). We owe 13,000 reais (around 4,000 dollars), and we need R$ 7,000 (U$ 2,200) to reopen. Just the money to reopen means everything to us, because then we can work and save to pay our debts!