Songs, melons and rice: KMMS harvests rice with a smile!
Rice is a staple food in Bangladesh and its cultivation is a widespread practice among landowners and tenants across the country. Beautiful green fields of ripening rice are an integral part of the Bangladeshi landscape. KMMS boarding school has several plots of land where rice is grown by teachers and students.
This year was no different. In early May, the rice harvest took place on the KMMS boarding school land. The students were divided into several teams and worked on different tasks. From harvesting the rice to tying it into sheaves and transporting it for further processing. Some students, let's call them the support team, were responsible for providing drinking water and fresh watermelons. This ensured that no one went thirsty and that everyone involved in the harvest stayed well hydrated.
The harvest started at 5am to avoid the worst of the heat for the students and teachers. With daytime temperatures typically exceeding 35°C, early morning is the ideal time for physically strenuous work. The harvest lasted almost three hours and was enjoyed by teachers and students alike. Why?
Because of the great teamwork and the knowledge that their own rice production contributes significantly to meeting the children's basic needs. The teachers gave the students friendly guidance and contributed to the fun atmosphere. The headmaster even entertained the students with humorous songs. The special meal and time spent together also contributed to the good mood. Well, a day like this is not to be forgotten and everyone is looking forward to doing it again next year.
PS: Rice harvests have also taken place at other boarding schools such as SAMS and Monoshapara.