Growing Through Cooperation, Producing Through Cooperation

The concept of community work entered my life in elementary school. As a city child and the youngest in my family, I didn't experience tea gatherings firsthand, but I did participate in wonderful school community activities led by our teachers. In elementary school, there were garden cleanings done by all the classes together, painting garden fences and classroom walls, and then sharing meals brought from home... I think I learned the value of creating things together and enjoying it at that age, through community activities.

I wonder, was it difficult to do such work back then? But I don't have any negative memories. Only the pleasure of working together and sharing remains in my mind.

We can't say that modernized humanity has forgotten about cooperation, but it's clearer that responsibilities are now being defined more distinctly. "Work" has an owner, and we often buy the right not to work. We work hard, pay a lot of money, and therefore expect a "perfect" world. "Work" has become something that people don't want to do for free or voluntarily. Our time is precious, our boundaries are sharp. But mutual aid (imece) argues precisely against this understanding.

The "imece" initiative suggests that mutual assistance is not just a burden, but a practice that develops and strengthens us. While it requires time and effort, it believes that transformation and well-being are possible through this approach. Isn't that incredibly beneficial? Perhaps I'm exaggerating. But if you had been with us at the tea gathering organized by Lazika, you would agree with me. Because it was truly wonderful 😊

The biggest problem with tea is leaf quality. But contrary to popular belief, this isn't related to the plant being bad. The real problem is incorrect harvesting methods and the systematic abuse of the tea leaves, starting even before they reach the field. The way to break this cycle is through awareness.

To raise awareness and demonstrate the importance of proper tea harvesting methods, as well as to highlight the drama tea plants endure in the gardens, we organized a community effort event. Because only community effort can end this drama.

When we shared this idea with the Beije Women team at a meeting, they showed incredible support. The next day, when they said, "25 people are coming," I honestly didn't believe them. But they came. A full team! I wholeheartedly congratulate the Beije team. I am very happy for Lazika; because in such a competitive and money-driven system, it's very difficult to find true companions. Being a companion with Beije in this sense is a great joy.

The culture of collective effort perfectly aligns with the essence of Lazika. Indeed, the story of Lazika began with collective effort. From day one, both the team and our enthusiasts embraced this journey. Because Lazika doesn't just produce tea; it embodies a lifestyle in harmony with nature, local values, and collective labor. Every contribution made on this collective effort day was a choice for sustainability: natural solutions instead of chemicals, human labor instead of machines, attention and love instead of speed.

This event, the modern equivalent of traditional communal work, reminded us of many things: that production is not only an economic process but also a social and cultural sharing; that we all have a contract with nature; and that the most beautiful form of this contract is experienced through collaborative work, shared effort, and a sincere relationship with nature.

Best regards,

Emre