With very little clean clothes, a few extra bug bites (maybe a few cat bites as well), and slightly clay-stained orange hands, we are finishing up our week here in the jungle. Looking back at our achievements, however, it was all extremely worthwhile. Our main project with Robin was constructing a pond. This pond will provide Robin and the people living with him with a sustainable protein-source instead of fishing from the river. It will also serve as a visual representation for Robin´s neighbors and visitors of a feasible, environmentally conscious way of living and eating sustainably. Each member of the SAM group truly contributed to this project through various tasks including clearing out the soon-to-be pond area, carrying banana trunks to the pit, going out and getting (extremely heavy) bags of clay, wheelbarowing sand, filling the pond with banana leaves, and much more. Each day was filled with a lot of physical labor. Creating this pond, however, showed me the power of collective work and the importance of feeling the soil that will help make your food.
With fourteen people, we were able to divide in to teams. Splitting into groups allowed us to find a task where we could be most efficient. In about four days, our group successfully completed the entire pond. I was impressed with our determination to complete each part of the pond with accuracy, and appreciative of all the hands that were available to help with the entire process.
This project also demonstrated the value of understanding, on a dirty hands level, the origin of my food. As I wheelbarrowed sand up to the pit or patted down clumps of orange clay, I felt a much deeper connection with the land around me and a greater sense of gratitude for the grand lunches that we shared in the afternoons.
As we move out of the jungle, I hope to keep with me the sense of pride I gained for our group and our work mentality, and the stronger relationship I formed with the land around me. For now, I will enjoy some more quality cuddle time with the monkeys at our lodge, as well as some warm and delicious Thai food in the evenings.
