On today’s episode of “Things I Never Expected to Happen“, we had to participate in a gardening service-learning activity—not as a fun side project, but as a requirement for graduation. When I first heard about it, I was confused. My immediate reaction? Texting my friends to confirm whether this was real. Were we seriously being told we couldn’t graduate unless we spent a day gardening? The answer, unfortunately, was yes.
So, we all picked February 26th, the day after our final ESE paper. Still groggy from exam exhaustion, we dragged ourselves to Sungift Rooftop Farm, ready (or not so ready) for what lay ahead.
Lost in a Carpark and Into the Fields
Getting there was the first challenge—we struggled to find the location until we realized the farm was in a carpark. Dressed comfortably for a day of manual labor, we arrived, received a briefing from Ms. Aidah, and got to work.
We were divided into three groups and assigned different tasks, including weeding, harvesting, and social media content creation. The catch? The best social media posts promoting the farm would win a competition.
At first, we were skeptical, but we eventually accepted our fate and got into the groove. To my surprise, it turned out to be an unexpectedly enjoyable experience. There was something oddly relaxing about the repetitive work—almost like when your brain switches to autopilot.
Worms, Weeds, and a Newfound Respect for Farming
As we worked, we encountered caterpillars and worms, learned about sustainable farming, and discovered Sungift’s commitment to pesticide-free produce. What initially seemed like an inconvenient requirement transformed into an eye-opening experience.
As we worked, we encountered caterpillars and worms, learned about sustainable farming, and discovered Sungift’s commitment to pesticide-free produce. What initially seemed like an inconvenient requirement transformed into an eye-opening experience.
The Best-Tasting Meal (Because We Earned It)
At the end of the session, the farm treated us to a buffet—and let me tell you, that food tasted better than anything I had eaten in a while. After spending the morning weeding and harvesting, I had a newfound appreciation for the effort that goes into growing food. I couldn’t imagine doing this every single day as a full-time farmer.
This experience made me more grateful for the food we have on our tables and for the farmers who make it possible.
A Memory Worth Keeping
Despite all our complaints about being tired, I think we can all agree that this was a unique experience—one that we might reminisce about years down the road.
It was unusual, sure, but also surprisingly relaxing and rewarding in the end. Not everyone may share my perspective, but this was my takeaway from the experience—and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
