Indirect benefits of guiding neighbours to be compost makers
Last week was a tough week. On top of preparing for workshops, there were various thing to look into, people who I needed to be with, and my own big internal emotions. Some commitments needed to be dropped, and they included me being the initiator of compost care at two locations, and joining my neighbour to collect wood shavings (because our supply at the estate’s community garden was running out).
At the two locations where I didn’t go for compost care, composting activity didn’t happen. Some individuals do step up on an occasional basis, and one did want to continue but there wasn’t the usual response from others. When you don’t get an expected response, it can be hard to continue or feel the motivation to step up again.
When it comes to community activities, I find that one needs to continue regardless of the response you get, that is, someone need to turn up anyways. When one person turns up, so will another, and then another.
I’m glad that my neighbour decided to go anyways, and she mentioned she would need help. A regular, who stays in the broader neighbourhood, agreed to help.
He (the regular) and his wife brought 4 big bags worth of wood shavings to our regular composting location the very next day! The amount of wood shavings should last us for weeks or months.
A teacher went to help too; she brought a big bag back to her school.
All of them had received guidance and/or training from me. I’m glad to witness growth and new connections in their compost-making journeys, and to create opportunities for them to meet and help one another.
