Support Ana's Fight for a Better Future

Hi everyone,

I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my friend Ana. I first met Ana 20 years ago when I was in the U.S. Peace Corps in Samoa. At that time, I was teaching in a local school established to give older youth a second chance to complete high school or technical education. Ana arrived to the school in search of an opportunity to improve her education. Ana was born with a rare skin disease and, due to her condition, was never able to go to school with others her age. Despite her lack of access to education, she had a very high level of English. It turned out that between her many medical appointments, including various trips to the US, Ana spent most of her early years inside her home reading.

After graduation, Ana was optimistic. A person with her level of English proficiency should have no problem finding employment, but Ana continuously faced discrimination and employment instability. Not wanting to ask for assistance from others, she fought for many years advocating for own employment rights. Ultimately, she decided to move back to her family lands and support the management of their coconut plantation.

Ana was blessed with a beautiful son and always puts his needs before her own. This has meant choosing between food for her son or medication for herself. Now 16 years old, her son is doing well in school and his energy is helping to increase the production of the family plantation.

Most of you are familiar with my career. I have had the opportunity to meet many people who all have a unique story. Ana deserves to have this opportunity for herself and her family and there are simply no public agencies or non-profits to turn to on the outer island of Samoa where she lives.

Our donations are going to help Ana buy a farm truck. The farm truck will greatly increase the amount of coconuts she can bring to market each month and immediately transform her family's monthly household income. Ana plans to diversify her income with pig raising and other smaller economic activities, all of which are dependent on her ability to bring items to market at a profitable scale.

Any amount of support will be greatly appreciated.