Your Support Grows Hope
I am a farmer at Asha Laaya. I have loved going to the farm my whole life . I never had the chance to go to school because I am Deaf. Instead, I have dedicated my life to working on the farm. Every day, I love the activities of the farm from planting to harvesting and also the celebrations. During the summer, I especially enjoy going to the farm with my friends. Working together on our own plots, we share laughter and hard work, making the experience fulfilling and enjoyable. Growing up without the opportunity to go to school and being Deaf added to my difficulties. However, I found solace and purpose in farming. It has been my happiness, and being able to be who I am and having work that I enjoy allows me to thrive despite the obstacles. Farming has a profound positive impact on my health. The camaraderie with friends and the satisfaction of working the land lift my spirits. The farm also provides a necessary break from caring for my family members who have health issues. This time spent outdoors with friends engaged in meaningful work, is invaluable to my well-being. Every year when harvest is over, I eagerly anticipate the next farming season. The farm is where I truly find myself, by growing and bringing home healthy vegetables. My favorite vegetables are pumpkin shoots and long gourds, and I take pride in cultivating them. Asha Laaya has been a huge blessing in my life”.
Deaf Farmer
Asha Laaya provides many benefits! When I arrived in the United States in 2018, I was diagnosed as diabetic and started treatments by taking medicine and having to monitor my glucose everyday. The information from Doctor regarding what food to eat was extremely overwhelming because what I normally ate was not listed on the doctor’s papers. Knowing what i could and could not eat was very confusing. All of the materials were in English and most were American foods. I also was often not given a culturally appropriate Deaf interpreter so I could understand my medical information. When I start working on the farm, after six months I went for a routine check at my doctor and he told me my glucose numbers were excellent and that my diabetes was gone and I no longer needed to take the medication. I have continued to keep fit and eat fresh vegetables. Working on the farm is what solved my health issues. It also gave me a place to find and give support to others to support others, like me.”
Deaf Farmer
This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to support our cause every donation big or small makes a significant impact and helps us continue our vital work. Thank you for being a part of our journey! Donation Link