About Chara Community

Chara (pronounced KAR-a) means "friend" in Gaelic and "joy" in Greek. True to its name, Chara Community creates space for connection, creativity, and the kind of transformation that unfolds when you slow down on sacred land.

For the full origin story of this land and its founder, visit Wild Grace Sanctuary.

The Dream

Years ago, while still in Ireland, Rejini had a dream — a piece of land divided by a winding road. On one side, an animal sanctuary. On the other, a home. A place where people could rest, remember, and create.

That vision rooted itself in the U.S., and after many moves, many losses, and a leap of faith, it took form on 18 acres in Georgia — just 30 minutes from Atlanta, but a world away from the noise.

About Rejini

Rejini Samuel has always walked between worlds. Born in Nigeria to Indian parents, she spent years qualifying as a medical doctor in Nigeria and Ireland before running away to do a Masters in IT. She settled on technology as a career, thinking computers might be more logical than people — though that hasn't always proven to be the case.

Her creative life spans multiple disciplines. Under her author pen name RJ Samuel, she has published five novels — Heart Stopper, The Vision Painter series (Falling Colours, Casting Shadows), A Place Somewhere, and An Outsider Inside — set in Ireland, India, and America. An Outsider Inside won the 2018 Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award and the Tee Corinne Cover Design Award.

As rejini, she writes poetry and music. Her debut poetry collection Write You Away: Love in Three Acts chronicles a journey from heartbreak to self-acceptance, with proceeds supporting Wild Grace Sanctuary. Her songs blend Indian sitar, Irish violin, and African drums. She publishes songs she performs herself under "rejini" and her AI-collaborated musical works under "Lyrics by Rejini."

She performs improv with her team Invisible — a group of older women creating comedy about being invisible in the world. She brings that same spirit of play, presence, and "yes, and" to everything she creates at Chara.

She is also a minister at Wild Grace Sanctuary, where she cares for seventeen rescued cats and one dog on eighteen acres dedicated to creativity, animals, and spiritual practice.

She considers herself almost Irish, almost Indian, and almost American — and continues to create at the intersection of words, music, and healing.

The Land

This land holds something sacred. Visitors often leave unable to explain it, but they know they felt it. Peace. Connection. Permission.

It's earthy, welcoming, and real. There's a barn with fairy lights, homes that can sleep up to 30 combined, fire pits for evening gatherings, and 18 acres of forest, pasture, and lake views to explore.

The Sanctuary

This isn't just a retreat center — it's a living sanctuary. Currently home to 17 rescue cats and one sweet dog named Piglet, the land itself is medicine.

Wild Grace Sanctuary, a spiritual community weaving together creativity, animals, and nature, operates alongside Chara Community. A portion of every retreat supports the sanctuary and its animal residents — so when you book with us, you're also helping sustain the beings who hold this space with their quiet grace.