Making the outdoors accessible to asylum seekers [Video]

Nyamoun “Moon” Nguany Machar describes her work as “sowing seeds.”

Machar, 34, of Portland heads #WEOUTSIDE, a program that gives asylum-seeking kids an opportunity to explore the great outdoors.

“The outdoors, being barefoot outside and really connecting with nature, goes hand in hand with our mental health,” Machar said. “It goes hand in hand with who we are.”

A collaboration between the Maine Association for New Americans – where Machar serves as community wellness program coordinator – and the Maine Appalachian Trail Land Trust, #WEOUTSIDE fosters belonging among Maine’s immigrant communities.

Machar, who is of South Sudanese and Ethiopian descent, moved to Maine with her family when she was 5 years old.

In addition to her day job, she is a spoken-word poet, an advocate for disability rights and is working on her second documentary, a film about Sanford’s immigrant community.

Her work with #WEOUTSIDE makes the outdoors more accessible. …