#myfarmstory
The most stressful work I have ever done, I did at the apiary unit. The faculty has three apiaries. The one my group, got assigned to is the one along the arable and permanent units. Due to my ‘brokeness,’ I would trek from my hostel to the school for about 35 minutes. Then, I would trek an additional 30 minutes to the apiary unit. I can say in confidence that I was a very frustrated human being for that entire week. An hour and 5 minutes of trekking for five days can do that to an otherwise gentle person. The trekking alone was just part one of the ‘suffering.’ Every day at the apiary unit where we were supposed to learn about bees, saw each individual clear a large expanse of land apportioned to him. It was after the rigorous work that the supervisor would then ask us to sit under the gliricidia sepium to receive lectures on how to keep bees. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Most of the time, during the lectures, I would be so tired that I would tune the supervisor out. I was disappointed. The work we did at the unit was not that related to the art of keeping bees. I know the importance of having a clean surrounding, but there should have been a point of convergence between what we did and what the unit stood for. During that week, pain relievers became my companion. The most painful part is that the only thing my mind flashes back on during my stay at the unit is the tedious work I did there. I hope it’s a bonus that I’m now a certified land clearer. But I suppose these are the words of a very tired and broke trainee. We were actually shown beehives, and we tasted the LAUTECH honey, so I’m sure it would be hypocritical of me to say that I can’t talk about the art of beekeeping in a way I couldn’t before. I just wish I remember the unit in a more beautiful light, for even I find that I’m not that good-hearted. The only silver lining in the dark sky is the fruit harvest my groupmates, and I did. We would take ourselves in twos and threes and venture into the forest to pluck some fruits, and it was quite fun. So much fun that it was the only thing that pushed me to get up from my bed every morning. In a way, it helped us get to know each other better.
