Anna Ing

Jun 11, 2023 | sampan.org | Mary Wong |Anna Ing

In this series, we interview new immigrants to the U.S. to hear their stories, struggles and dream. Here, we speak with Rita (her name has been changed) from Myanmar. Rita never thought she would leave Burma. Over six years, she had built up her own, successful, catering company with 20 employees. Her customers included many international nonprofits and Rita loved what she was doing. Now in her early forties, she finds herself in America, beginning a new life with her family “from zero.”On Feb.

May 27, 2023 | sampan.org | Sonia Cavazos |Anna Ing |Jeff Millman

Learning that your child is on the autism spectrum is often like being dropped into a big black hole. There is no clear test for autism — no X-ray or scan — and much is left to interpretation. The signs are often vague, especially in young children, who might learn to talk or pick up social skills younger or later than their peers. Just getting the right specialists to see your child can take many months. For children of immigrant families, this process is even more challenging.

Apr 24, 2023 | sampan.org | Christopher John Stephens |Anna Ing |Moninisha Yadav

When it comes to arguments about safety and community safety and the ethics of legalized drugs, sometimes it’s hard to immediately dismiss the financial advantages. Massachusetts legalized adult-use cannabis in November 2018, and since then the state has collected $3.9 billion in total gross sales. Between January 1 and December 18, 2022, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission reported the sale of 1.42 billion dollars’ worth of cannabis and cannabis-related accessories.