E Limaola (Greenthumb) Self-Reliant Greenhouse Project

Limaola, pronounced (lee-muh-oh-luh), is the Samoan term for Green-thumb. Lima means Hand and Ola means Life/Live. To support life, it requires us utilizing our hands to do everything we can to ensure continuation, availability, sustainability and security of resources and basic necessities to take care of our daily needs.

I am an unemployed mom, with 15 years background working in field jobs in the marine science, agriculture and environmental science programs. Throughout the years, I instilled in my children the love and appreciation for the environment, both flora and fauna. It is with this love and appreciation of the environment and its natural resources that shaped goals and new dreams to be self reliant. Much of our family time, activities and hobbies includes appreciation of environment and being active in conservation, restoration and sustainable living efforts.

In 2024, I resigned from working as a Forest Stewardship Coordinator and 4-H Agent for an opportunity to work my dream job in the Marine science field with the NOAA program. It was a dream coming to full circle after years of applying and education, however, that excitement and happiness was short-lived due to the recent executive orders for mass termination of probationary employees. I am now an unemployed mom, with degrees in Environmental Science and Marine Science, back in my island home actively seeking employment.

Since the last termination, I have been applying to local and federal employments, but given the many people that were recently terminated with me and the recent amount of college graduates looking for employment, it has been quite a struggle to find employment. Therefore, I am not only thinking of ways to better support my family but also to help others live a sustainable life by going back into planting their food. The goal is to improve our edible greens Limaola project to encourage sustainability and self-reliance. This project will not only provide for me and my family, but can serve as a educational and demonstration site for others to help their families start-up their own self reliant projects. What better way to continue to provide and support life than using my God given talent and hands to grow and plant produce that can aid in sustaining life for not only myself, but others in need.

I currently have a simple set-up, provided from a local program, that needs improvement in many ways to better serve and provide. Being unemployed and with low financial help to fund the high cost of materials and labor for this goal, I humbly seek for your help and donations. All funds donated will be used to build more 4x4 hydroponic tables, install irrigation systems, secure planting starters and seeds, purchase materials and pay for water and electric bill for the hydroponic system. Like any mom, I am focused and determined to do anything to continue to provide, improve quality of life while promoting a sustainable, self-reliant lifestyle. Therefore, I humbly ask to please, help and donate to my Limaola (Greenthumb) greenhouse project. Every hand in this project is greatly appreciated and I am forever grateful for any donation given. Faafetai and God bless.