Ometepe: the crown jewel of Laka Nicaragua, is home to lush volcanic landscapes, vibrant communities, and a spirit of resilience. In the heart of this beautiful island sits El Pital, a beloved restaurant on the outskirts of Balgue that has become a cornerstone of our community.

The kitchen team at El Pital is the backbone of the restaurant, tirelessly working day in and day out to bring delicious meals to travellers around the island. They’re the unsung heroes who pour their heart and soul into their work, yet, they rarely have the time or resources to take care of themselves.

I myself have been coming to this island for 14 years and it's provided me so much in terms of peace, community and bliss. Everyone from the workers at the comedors to the volunteer practitioners all do their part.

We believe it’s time to give back to them.

At Best Life Gym, our mission is to promote health and wellness across Ometepe. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re launching this fundraiser to provide 20 hardworking kitchen staff members from El Pital with annual gym memberships. Best Life will use the extra revenue towards new equipment for the gym that will make it the flagship it strives to be and a better pillar for the local fitness community. 

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

Working in a kitchen is no easy feat. Long hours, high pressure, and physical strain are a part of daily life for these dedicated workers. Many of them have little to no opportunity to prioritize their health due to their demanding jobs and financial limitations. A gym membership and access to proper fitness equipment would be life-changing for these individuals, offering them a chance to stay active, reduce stress, and lead healthier, happier lives.

By supporting this campaign, you’re not just investing in the health of these workers—you’re empowering them to break free from the cycle of stress and fatigue that often accompanies a physically demanding job. And in return, they’ll bring their renewed energy and passion to everything they do, creating a ripple effect that will improve the community as a whole. They're the unsung backbone that keeps everyone pushing along!

Our Goal:

We’re aiming to raise $2,200 within 3 weeks to cover the costs of 20 annual gym memberships at Best Life Gym and provide essential gym equipment. This small yet meaningful investment will provide each kitchen worker with the opportunity to take control of their health and well-being, at no cost to them.

How Your Donation Helps:

• $110 provides a full year’s gym membership for one individual. $2,200 total ensures that all 20 kitchen workers from El Pital have the resources they need to improve their physical health and well-being.
  
  The Gym Itself will utilize the Revenue the following way:
  
  

• $200 will go to 2 new mirrors

• $306 will go to 1 Adjustable Bench
• $430 will go to 1 new Stationary Bicycle
• $200 will go to 2 new Barbells
• $265 will go to 2 new 70 lb Dumbbells 
• $ Extra will go to extra flooring for the Gym

Why It Matters:

• Empowering Individuals: By giving these workers the opportunity to improve their physical health, we’re empowering them to take better care of themselves and their families. Healthier people are happier people—and that has a profound impact on their lives both inside and outside of work.

• Building Stronger Communities: Ometepe is a small island where everyone is interconnected. By supporting this cause, you're helping not just the workers at El Pital, but the entire community come together to invest into itself. Healthier, more energetic individuals lead to healthier, more vibrant communities that make it a better place to live and travel through.

• Sustaining Wellness: Best Life Gym isn’t just about fitness; it’s about creating an environment that fosters long-term wellness. With proper equipment and resources, these workers & it's current members / travelers will have the tools they need to make sustainable health improvements and stay active whole on the go. 

What am I doing for the Community:

• Weekly Donation HIIT Class: Every Wednesday and Friday at El Pital - I'm hosting a donation based high intensity interval training bodyweight class. We have so many community-oriented classes on the island: yoga, acro, meditation, cacao ceremonies and a lot of lower intensity, recovery mediums. We lack a space for community group exercise classes that are designed to push everyone together through a shared adversity. Locals and travelers alike are all encouraged - the Ometepe community welcomes all!
  
  
• How We Keep up the Vibes: A group exercise class is only as good as it's feeling. We value collaboration over competition and the spirit of how that high energy, fun approach to fitness is carried on the backs of the infectious tracks of DJ Snacks from the United States. Her poppin' house sets will get anyone moving on or off the mat!
  See what kind of music she's bringing here: Snacks Playlist!
  
  
• Donation Based: In-Person, anyone who shows up is welcome to donate where all proceeds go to the Sets w/ Snacks fitness initiative, contributing to memberships and equipment. This fundraiser page gives people an avenue to contribute from afar!

How You Can Help:

Your donation—big or small—will make a real difference. Whether you contribute $10 or $110, every donation counts. In addition to financial support, we also ask for your help in spreading the word about this campaign. Share our story with friends, family, and on social media to help us reach our target goal within 3 weeks!

Every $110, we will celebrate a new membership from the El Pital Kitchen. And through the above equipment milestones, we'll slowly fill out the space, build the culture and help something fun like fitness make our corner of the world a better place. 

Together, we can help the kitchen staff at El Pital achieve a Best Life—one that includes health, happiness, and a sense of empowerment.