Leng Dei is a surreal, quaint, green spot in the heart of the bustling Phnom Penh. It offers the urban inhabitants of the city a refreshing change by drawing them close to nature. I had the wonderful opportunity of attending one of their fantastic workshops on a bright Saturday morning.
This place was recommended by a friend. I have been living in Phnom Penh since a year and I have never heard of anyone conducting such workshops. Hence, I was pleasantly surprised! I broke the tradition of sleeping in on Saturdays and attended this workshop. The theme of the workshop was – Edible Flowers.
Compost City is a private organization run by a team of four young and passionate entrepreneurs. They grow a variety of native plants. But what amazes me about this place and its organizers is their love for soil. SOIL the very essence of life!
Besides giving us interesting insights on the importance of soil, we learnt about composting and mulching. Additionally, we harvested and tasted some beautiful edible flowers such as the butterfly pea, sesbania and jasmine. To top it all, we had a glimpse of some fine Cambodian culinary delights. We sampled some jasmine infused waffles, butterfly pea tea and some Teuk Krueng and Phka.
Compost City facilitates its participants to engage in learning by doing and gives practical suggestions to live sustainably in an urban environment. The motive behind conducting these workshops is to coax people to stay connected with nature, live sustainably and be grateful for the food we eat. We often take for granted these simple but essential elements of our lives.
At Leng Dei, participants are encouraged to reflect on questions such as – ‘Where do we get our food from?’ ‘What would happen if farms turn barren or if there is way too much plastic in the soil?’
Leng Dei has inspired me to do my bit – growing some plants, using my own cup when I buy a drink, using local ingredients, walking and sharing a tuk tuk, are some small steps that would lead to big changes.
Information: Our mission at Compost City is to create experiential learning opportunities to connect people with environmental care, using the actions of composting and gardening. Leng Dei Vision: A community outdoor space to welcome and empower people to compost, garden, eat mindfully and connect with the beauty of life Compost City started in 2019 by joining and winning the SmartSpark entrepreneurship competition program focused on environmental issues, organised by Impact Hub Phnom Penh. https://www.facebook.com/compostcitylife/
