New Beginnings at MAKE Farm

Maria, Anli and Nargis harvesting green onions at MAKE Farm

By: Giselle Ortega

At MAKE Projects, our cohort is made up of individuals with diverse backgrounds, powerful motivations, and shared goals of growth and community. MAKE Projects is excited to highlight Anli Hagiyama and Maria Maximo, two members whose stories reflect passion, resilience, and purpose. 

Anli Hagiyama currently attends school on Mondays and Tuesdays at San Diego College of Continuing Education, César E. Chávez, where she is studying English. She chose this path with a clear vision in mind: one day, she hopes to open her own restaurant. Cooking is not just a hobby for Anli—it’s a passion that connects to her future goals. Originally from Yokosuka, Japan, near Tokyo, Anli enjoys spending her free time cooking, reading, and being in nature. Her appreciation for creativity and the outdoors reflects her thoughtful and artistic personality. Anli decided to join MAKE Projects after being inspired and encouraged by a teacher who recommended the program. She saw it as an opportunity to invest in her future and gain hands-on experience that aligns with her goals. Through the program, she hopes to build experience that will help her move closer to her dreams. She describes her strengths as being organized, patient, humble, respectful, and having a big heart, along with a love for creating art. When speaking about the cohort, Anli shared that being part of the group feels amazing, describing it as a beautiful team where everyone is understanding and works together. A fun fact about Anli? She describes herself as different, in a good way. She considers herself a free person while also being simple, a balance that reflects her grounded and genuine nature.

Maria Maximo attends San Diego College of Continuing Education at Mid-City, where she is focused on improving her English and preparing for her future. After completing her studies, Maria hopes to become a nurse, a career driven by care, service, and dedication. Maria is originally from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and joined MAKE Projects with multiple goals in mind. One of her main motivations was to improve her English, especially by practicing with other members of the team. She is also committed to financially supporting herself and her children, making her journey one of strength and perseverance. Through MAKE Projects, Maria hopes to gain experience, practical skills, teamwork abilities, and confidence, all while growing both personally and professionally. She identifies her strengths as having strong communication skills, being organized, energetic, professional, and having excellent time management. Maria shares that being part of MAKE Projects makes her feel safe and supported, noting that everyone is welcoming and always willing to help one another. This sense of community has played a meaningful role in her experience. A fun fact about Maria is that she is Christian and enjoys reading the Bible and continuing to learn, reflecting her values and dedication to personal growth.

Anli, Maria, and Nargis prepping for upcoming field trips