Monday, April 2, 2012

Kids' day at the farm with the Good Food Community


Transferring romaine lettuce

Char Tan of Good Food Community (pink) 
& Ka Abel  (white).
And so S and I spent out day at Sibat Foundation's Mangarita Farm with the Good Food Community. I was too sad (see next post) and sleepy, I think, to properly be there, but S really seemed to take to the farm very well. It isn't often that she gets into an activity that absorbs all her attention, so that she forgets to check on Mama or seek her, um, approval. But there she was, running around and playing with the kids at the farm. She said she was comfortable there, and felt safe enough to let go of me, or the idea of me being around. So there I was in the shade, letting her get her hands dirty, careful not to remind her of my presence. She bonded with Sopsop and Yanyan, the granddaughters of two of the farmers, over planting lettuce and harvesting spinach and eggplant. I loved that she was able to find a connection with them, forgetting, even, her usual anxieties about language and acceptance (or are those my concerns? :P) I think we learned so much about inclusiveness and community yesterday. And the food was really good too.

Harvesting eggplant

Making friends

Many thanks to the Good Food Community and Sibat Foundation for having us at the farm. Sa uulitin.









2 comments:

  1. got here from GoodFoodCo. blog. how long was the trip? and would you recommend it for a 4-year old. Btw, is that lloyd in the GFC photo? :)

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  2. Hi Jenny! The trip took around 2 hours--but that was because we stopped over for some of the kids who hadn't had breakfast yet, and we missed a turn/exit somewhere. Yes, that's Lloyd in the photo. He and Tenten brought all their kids, including their two-y-o twins (in the photo). The farm kids my daughter bonded with were three and eight, and were quite friendly--so your 4-yo would have some kids to play with. There's a hut over a pond with ducks and fish, accessible by a tiny bridge. The kids loved feeding the ducks and fish. There are also a couple of rabbits and the usual farm animals (carabao, pig, chickens) and a kapok tree (the one with bulak inside, which you blow into the wind) all of which, I think, would be quite attractive to kids at that age (or any age, actually). Good Food Community actually had activities lined up for the kids (games, art and coloring, etc.) but they weren't able to implement them because the kids were having so much fun on their own. Hope to see you on the next trip!

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