Unexpected Journeys
Zakariya Sharif Nur, former Global Generation’s Generator and Alumni and now creative strategist ( https://zacology.com/about_ shares the story of when he joined GG as a young person almost 20 years ago and was involved in the creation of our first KX rooftop garden
Looking back and remembering my time with Global Generation, My mind goes to the green fields of the campsite in Wiltshire, at Pertwood, in the piece of land that was part of Pertwood Organic Farm. How can I forget about the silent walks in the morning. It was a nice way to start the day because as young people we were in this grumpy morning phase, where you’re not really talking much but the morning air was clear, fresh and crisp and we could feel that.
That silence was perfect; it felt easy, taking us in a meditative state. It was just really calm and relaxing. We were kids then so it was unusual for us to be so quiet but after a few moments, it was like you would find a real and meaningful space for yourself. Then we would have breakfast and have tea. I could feel that my mind worked better. I think this is the first memory because I miss those moments. Now as an adult, often I start my morning so fast, looking at my phone, checking if I’m running late.
The second strongest memory is working at the Skip Garden, just outside St Pancras International station and helping build the skips-gardens and meeting different people.
I did my work experience there with my classmates. It was a pure coincidence as my school couldn’t find other placements. At that time, I was a bit disappointed that I got assigned to an environmental charity. It was a two weeks work-experience where we went on a camping trip and, through the school, we ended up working at an allotment. I think we were the younger ones, there were people 2 or 3 years older than us. We did gardening and creative workshops on rooftops around Kentish Town. And then I decided to stay involved with Global Generation and was part of a one-year leadership programme helping also at events in the community. I think it was April 2008. We were involved in Camden's Big Green Photography project. (picture here of the poster below) I believe that Global Generation helped me in the choices I made on my journey into the world.
We were given cameras and could take pictures. And back then we didn’t have Iphones, there were no smartphones and no-one really had them. I took it on as a hobby and took my sister’s camera and it went on. I am a freelancer photographer now and I worked in a few project with Global Generation through the years, taking pictures and making videos (see generator recruitment video)
If I think about the legacy of Global Generation on me, There is something that I still do and I took with me after being a Generator. I still do ‘freefall’ writing every now and then, just to let out whatever thoughts I have without being worried about grammar or spelling mistakes. That practice has helped me very much. Sometimes looking at a blank page with our rational brain makes you stuck. But If you write from the heart and let it all out, it helps you reflecting back. Even if it is sad thoughts.
Global Generation was different, new and uncomfortable but, through the different ways of knowing that were brought into my life, GG helped me in my career. I was more comfortable starting a conversation or initiating a discussion rather than “I’ll do my job and you do your job”. I learnt about collaboration and sharing.
When I think about the people I met, I remember “Way of Nature” camp. The camp was intergenerational but with a solo-element in it.
We were all different ages, but the experience of a 24 hours solo bonded us because afterwards we shared our experiences and found out we had so much in common. I felt my time with GG had prepared me very well later on. The silence, the solo, the reflections. Everything became familiar and not scary.
The same thing happened to me in the workshops held in the middle of the KX construction site. Once again it was with strangers but afterwards you had a familiar feeling. It was like Pertwood found a space in KX. Through meditation or grounding invitations, a group of strangers were becoming familiar in a very short period of time. The garden all around helped create the right conditions for connection. You would meet people, some coming from the office and still in work mode and then by the end of it, they were a bit more relaxed and you could talk to them and connect with them. There wasn’t any need to keep up with them. Everyone felt they could put their “masks” down.
Maybe this is the solution for the future of this planet. Wouldn't it be nice if everybody, in the family, workplace, in any gathering, have a bit of silence or meditation, a place for sharing without objectives or goals to achieve. Maybe that's the starting point to a new path for humanity.
Often I feel outside of this possibility. In this society, you have to put in effort to make yourself feel heard. You have to somehow get people's attention or you have to really be clear about what you have to say, like get your notes and points ready and then say it in a certain amount of time. It is such a nice feeling to be able to say things and not feel judged.
Reflecting back on my time with Global Generation, the biggest learning is quite difficult to describe: it is not about the skills I have learnt or the things I have built. Even when Jane Riddiford, co-funder, was asking me to present in front of different companies, I told them that I didn’t learn much about the gardening but I really like ‘doing’ it.
I liked connecting with people and learning and ‘experiencing’ people. I liked learning about plants and the environment. For me It was never about gaining specific skills , it was about the connections we have with each other, it was about growing the love for learning and discovery.
The Story Garden garden and the other gardens are more than beautiful spaces. They are opportunities in which we make sense of everything in our own way and I am sure the future permanent garden will be another place for self explorations across the ages.
Notes from the Garden
It’s a beautifully golden afternoon in late October, and I am sitting in Somers Town on a table outside the pub, admiring the seven foot sunflowers that are growing opposite the medical centre.