Dozens of families from Nepal have come to Cleveland Heights to escape dictatorship and live a better life. Many of the families don’t know much about the United States, so it was quite a cultural shock.
“They wanted to make sure their kids have a better futures, so they give up everything,” said translator Ashmita Samal.
Stephen Walker noticed the families moving into his community and wanted to make them feel right at home.
“It's all of us together, that's how we're going to do anything," Walker said.
Walker already mentors kids by helping them grow food in community gardens. So he got the kids together and teamed up with Jay-Rod Johnson to help build a garden specifically for their new neighbors. Everything is accented with Nepalese influence.
“The kale is phenomenal! We’ve been eating kale salad for days,” said Samal.
But everyone has the same taste of happiness.
“I was a part of something that’s greater than me,” said Johnson. “My sense of gratitude has grown and I’m grateful for that.”
This story is part of A Better Land, an ongoing series that investigates Northeast Ohio's deep-seated systemic problems. Additionally, it puts a spotlight on the community heroes fighting for positive change in Cleveland and throughout the region. If you have an idea for A Better Land story, tell us here.
