This is Daniel.

An ordinary man. A worker just like any of us. One of those who didn’t have it all sorted out, who built themselves up from the bottom, doing whatever work was needed, putting his heart and soul and time into ensuring his family had everything they needed.

Daniel started his law degree when he was 20. But whilst he was studying, his father passed away. And so he had to stop thinking only of himself and take charge of his family home.

As happens to so many, his dreams were put on hold. Not because he didn’t want them, but because there were more pressing needs. He had to provide, work and carry on.

Then Vani came along.

He met her for the second time in 2006, after falling for her at first sight at a wedding in 2005. And from then on, life was different. They married in 2010, and from that love Pilar was born on 1 July 2014. (photo)

Pilar.

Even her name seems to have been written by fate.

Because who would have thought that this little soul would become the pillar supporting her father’s entire world?

In February 2016, Vanina decided to give Dani wings and encouraged him to dream again. He resumed the law degree he had put on hold so many years earlier, but it wasn’t easy: studying as an adult, working, supporting a family, keeping the home running, carrying on even when exhaustion outweighed his desire. Yet he carried on; he carried on for eight years – eight years of effort, of silent struggle, of exams, of responsibilities and of never giving up.

And finally, on 2 July 2024, Daniel qualified as a lawyer.

After so long, after putting it off for so long, that moment arrived. And on 16 April 2025, he finally received his licence to practise.

He had fulfilled his dream.

That dream that Vani had helped him hold onto.

That dream she had supported with love, patience and courage.

But life, sometimes, shatters everything in the cruelest and most incomprehensible way.

Barely two months later, Vani died suddenly and inexplicably. The doctors said her lungs had filled with fluid. But the truth is that, for Daniel and Pilar, explanations fall short of describing how their lives now have a before and an after. Because it happened from one second to the next. Without warning. Without time. Without understanding how or why, without a goodbye kiss.

And so, all of a sudden, Daniel was left alone with his 11-year-old daughter, with a pain impossible to put into words, trying to hold himself together whilst the world carried on turning as if nothing had happened.

Because even if the heart stops, the rent still comes due.

The electricity and gas bills keep coming.

Food is still needed, and how expensive food is.

And everyday life doesn’t stop, not even when someone has just lost everything.

Daniel isn’t asking for pity.

What he wants most is a chance to work. That is the most important thing for him. To be able to get by on his own, rebuild his life, support Pilar and get back on his feet. But today he also needs help, because he has been left with nothing.

Amidst so much pain, there was at least one gesture of relief: Pilar’s usual school supported her with a grant, so she wouldn’t have to lose her safe haven, that familiar space where she continues to spend her days with her friends and with the routine that still gives her some stability. Even so, Daniel has to find 130,000 pesos a month to keep her there, plus the rent, utility bills, food, transport; well, life.

That is why this campaign has been launched.

To give Daniel a real helping hand at this difficult time and help him cover basic expenses, support Pilar and give him some breathing space whilst he looks for the chance to return to work and rebuild his life.

Every contribution, no matter how small, can make a real difference – and I mean it.

And if you can’t contribute financially, sharing this campaign also helps a great deal, because sometimes we can’t change a tragedy, but we can ensure that someone doesn’t have to go through it completely alone.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for reading, for sharing, and for lending a helping hand to Daniel and Pilar.

In memory of Vanina, beloved wife and mum 🕯️