Levana and Soil for Life

What a pleasure to have slept a full night (well, there's still a little jet lag) and to have finally figured out the air conditioner's remote control, which, while being very conveniently located -- tethered to the night stand -- has a minimum of symbols, words, and buttons, making the actual use of it more difficult than I had the patience for last night. That is not to say that I did not stick with it and make the thing work but I was losing patience fast with a clock symbol (I get it...timer) and an arrow and a circle which kept blinking at me while alternately opening and closing the AC vents. As rivulets of sweat ran down my face, the machine suddenly went on. I have not idea how, but feel pretty confident that if I randomly hit the buttons tonight, eventually I'll recapture the moment.

So we had another delicious breakfast of fruits, yogurt, muffins, cereals, juices, and eggs. By 8:30 a.m., we were on the bus and on our way to the Levana School in Lavender Hill. This particular section fo the city is famous for its gangs -- not dangerous for us at all -- just dangerous for the gangs. We were met by several Soil for Life workers who maintained the gardens that are located on school land that was otherwise not being used. We were split into three groups: greenhouse, garden, and composting, and immediately set to work in our areas. The greenhouse people (and we did rotate through all jobs) started seed trays which would later be sold or used in the garden on site. The gardening crew pulled back mulch on several garden patches, added compost, covered that with mulch and made sure to square up the edges of the garden plots. The composters, well, they assured us that the "wet, green" did not smell as bad as yesterday's batch, and, as Mary Kathryn said many times, "We've already smelled the worst of it." She also said, "You kind of get used to it, " but judging by some of the faces of the compost makers, one does not every really get used to "wet, green." Bu lunchtime, two groups had completed two beautiful new compost piles, the gardeners had tended to all of the Soil for Life garden plots, and many new seedling trays lined the greenhouse. It was with great regret that we broke for lunch before my group was to head for the composting area, and due to an (un) fortunate rainstorm, my group never did get to make compost today.

What made this day a joy for everyone was the close proximity to school children. As soon as bells rang releasing students for recess (which seemed to happen quite often), students would stream over to us and engaged us in conversation. One work group began a garden on school land (featuring three plots in the shape of the school's initials, "L.P. S.") and these workers were joined by several young boys who gardened along side the Chatham Hall crew. Now -- about the garden -- as the CH group pretty much started these plots from scratch, they had to dig through a hard crust to loosen the soil to prepare it for the seedlings and seed. Needless to say, this took quite a bit of effort and hard work. They were tenacious, though, and at the end of the day, all the new plants had to do was go about the business of growing.

After lunch, due to the rain, gardening was not an option (it was actually quite cool once the rain and wind began). The group was invited into the school to visit various classrooms and answer questions. Two adults remained to garden as we wanted to make sure that the new gardens were completed -- Kathelen Amos and I continued in the school garden. The girls and other adults who visited classrooms were charmed by the students (one of whom demonstrated a tribal dance in response to Taylor's ballet dmonstration) and were able to sing "Happy Birthday" to a young girl who was celebrating today. That, however, was not the only singing to take place. Mr. Merricks, in response to a request of a Levana student wishing to hear the national anthem, gave a lively rendition of the "Star-spangled Banner." I am just waiting to get the video! After classes ended and the girls and adults returned to the gardening area, we worked until four finishing the student garden and then helping Lavana (a Soil for Life worker) compost her garden. Mr. Wood also took a photo (he is documenting this trip quite well with his fine photography skill!) of the whole group as well as the Levana kids and the Soil for Life workers.

As we boarded the bus to leave, we were joined by several boys who had worked with us (hard workers!) climbed onto the bus with four of the Soil for Life people. Each woman expressed her appreciation for the work the Chatham Hall group had done. The boys thanked the girls and then sang their school song. The Chatham Hallers responded by singing the CH Alma Mater. I know that it was tough for us to leave Levana, but it was equally tough for the boys who had never been on a bus, let alone on one with a TV, toilet, and a Ron Merricks! Ron appreciates a hard worker and these boys sure appreciated Ron!

Back at the hotel having had dinner, and for some girls, another trip to the Waterfront. Time for bed after lots of technical difficulties getting this post finished. More tomorrow! Sorry for the delay! This would not publish last night!