Restoring connections with the land

As Earth Day reminds us of our collective responsibility to care for the planet, Asha’s story is a powerful testament to how partnership-driven and sustainable efforts—like farming, flood control and clean water access—can protect both people and the environment.

“Flooding is what I’m most afraid of,” says Asha, and with good reason.

Hailing from the farming village of Lamawaab, Somalia, her community has felt the pang of hunger after climate change has all but halted farming over the last several years.

It’s been a body blow for Asha because of what she describes as her deep connection to the “rhythms of nature” as experienced through farming. Working the land isn’t just a source of sustenance for her family of eight, but also among her favourite hobbies.

“My upbringing shaped me into a hardworking, resilient and environmentally conscious individual,” says Asha. “The lessons I learned from my family, the land and the farming community have had a lasting impact on my life, and continue to guide my values and decisions today.”

Working together to address recurring floods and water issues

Life-giving canals have repeatedly flooded in the wake of the El Niño weather pattern and hurt the village’s ability to sustain itself.

“During the dry season, the river becomes empty, and when the rains start, the river also begins to flood our area,” she explains. “We are almost displaced to nearby villages that are not flooded.”

However, Asha and the rest of her village have partnered with World Vision through a cash-for-work program to change the community’s future. Together, a clean water supply system and latrines have been built. The work has been assisted with funding from Global Affairs Canada and the Humanitarian Coalition.

The immediate effects: improved community health, a lighter burden of fetching water, and more free time for families like Asha’s to invest in other activities like education and community engagement.

Long term, Lamawaab’s economic resiliency has improved with the rehabilitation of the canal system; the system mitigates the impact of flooding and allows farmers to keep farming even after natural disasters.

Stronger community ties and a restored connection to the land

Of course, other hurdles remain. Says Asha, “We've faced our share of challenges related to inequality, especially concerning access to resources, market opportunities and support systems.”

But the community’s recovery begins with restoring its connection to the land and Asha is hopeful. She’s happy that the rehabilitation work has brought the community together to support one another and she looks forward to “making a positive impact.”

It’s an outlook she plans to pay forward: “My long-term plan is to educate my children and equip them with skills in order to support the vulnerable communities.”