Help Build a Home for Lilian Naftal - mother of four and recent widow

A Gift Worthy of a Woman Who Gives Everything

"A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

How do you honor someone who has spent her life pouring into others? What do you give the woman who shows up, lifts up, and never stops giving from the depths of her heart?

As we celebrate Loren Lahav's 60th birthday, those of us whose lives she has touched are faced with a beautiful challenge: finding a gift that truly reflects the magnitude of her spirit, her generosity, and her unwavering commitment to making the world better for everyone around her.

Loren doesn't just talk about contribution—she lives it. She embodies it. She has built a community rooted in love, growth, and the power of showing up for one another. Time and time again, she has demonstrated what it means to give without expecting anything in return, to lead with compassion, and to create ripples of positive change that extend far beyond what any of us can see.

Like many of you I'm sure, I've been wrestling with what would be the ideal gift. I knew it had to be different. It had to be something that would make Loren's heart sing. It had to reflect her values, her passion, and her belief that we are all here to serve something greater than ourselves.

And then, the universe delivered the perfect answer and Sue Brenchley called to make a suggestion that was then divinely intended.

A few weeks ago, I had the profound honor of meeting Mal Sword in Scotland—a friend of Sue's who runs an extraordinary organization that builds homes for families in desperate need in Tanzania. To date, he has built over 50 houses, changing lives and restoring hope to communities that need it most.

Last night, Mal called Sue with an urgent need. A mother named Lillian Naftal tragically lost her husband in a motorcycle accident, leaving her alone with four children and facing an unimaginable situation. She's currently living in the timber house that has been devastated by termites and will collapse within a few years. The pictures I've included are of Lillian and her home. Without proper shelter, without security, this family is without the foundation that every family deserves. The need is immediate, and the opportunity to help is right in front of us.

In that moment, Sue knew: this is it. This is Loren's gift and she called me.

We are building a house in Loren's honor. We're calling it Casa Loren.

For $10,000, we can build a fully furnished home for Lillian and her four children. Beyond the house itself, we'll provide additional support for medical care and educational needs—giving this family not just shelter, but a foundation for a brighter future.

This is contribution in its purest form. This is legacy. This is exactly the kind of impact Loren has spent her life creating—and now, we get to create it in her name.

Here's how you can be part of this beautiful project:

If Loren has touched your life—if she has coached you, inspired you, held space for you, or simply shown you what it means to live with purpose and heart—this is your opportunity to honor her in a way that will change lives forever.

Any contribution, large or small, is welcome and deeply appreciated.

And for those who feel called to an even deeper level of participation, there's an incredible opportunity to travel to Africa and actually help build the house alongside the community. Imagine being part of that moment—hands in the work, hearts wide open, creating tangible change in Loren's honor.

Tonight, as we gather to celebrate 60 years of Loren's remarkable life, we will present her with this gift—a gift that embodies everything she stands for, everything she has taught us, and everything she continues to inspire in all of us.

Let's show Loren what her community can do when we come together in her name.

Let's build the house of Loren in Tanzania.

With love and gratitude,

Sue and Kristen