This past summer, the Bilkent Erzurum Laboratory School teachers started growing vegetables in a hobby garden near their lojmans. In the beginning, it looked as if it would be very difficult to grow tomatoes and eggplant under the Erzurum weather conditions, but soon the results were amazing. The teachers now have fresh organic tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, garlic, peppers and onions from their small but bountiful garden.
In addition to the obvious benefit of eating organic vegetables, they received great pleasure from working the earth with their own hands. Following on this year’s success, they are planning to have even bigger gardens on the campus next year, and to share the experience with BELS students.
BELS teachers have a great sense of community, which is fostered not only by gardening, but also by other extracurricular activities including book clubs, Friday get-togethers, international dinners and holiday parties.