Growing tea, growing people

-My long visit at Obubu-

I’ve been at Obubu for just about two weeks – gone too fast – my experience of Obubu has been one similar to the anthropologist conducting participant observation, where each day brings new experiences and realisations, grateful to be allowed into a community and have the chance to take part in its daily life.

If you are reading this post there is a good chance you browsed some of the others as well, maybe you know already Obubu and if that’s the case I hope that you will see yourself in what I’m writing. But if you have just discovered this place and wonder if all that has been shared in this blog over the years is as good as it sounds, I hope that my recounting will help you in your decision, whether it is to apply for a position, buy some tea, or book a tea tour for your upcoming trip.

Nestled in the village of Wazuka, Obubu is a small business with deep roots, a great vision, and wonderful tea, but this is only half of the story. All of this would count little if it wasn’t for the great people that make up Obubu and the countless other connected souls.

At 171 and growing by the months, Interns are the smiling faces that greet guests on tea tours, share their knowledge and passion about tea and during their three-month internship have the chance to deepen their knowledge and experience first hand several activities that go from farming, maintenance, building, to admin, stockkeeping and working on personal projects.

At 6, Assistant Managers, are the oil of Obubu, they play a critical part in ensuring Interns can make the most out of their experience, guests are pampered and permanent staff kept informed on what is or isn’t working.

And of course, the permanent staff, whose profile you can access here, and whose energy, kind words and shared wisdom bring a smile to guests and interns alike.

Finally, the wider Wazuka community, from close partners like Toshi-san, Ishida-san, Saito-san and Kenta-san, to the neighbouring farmers, cafes and business.

I cannot possibly make justice to their lives, personalities and complexities in the few lines of a blog post, but in the two weeks I spent at Obubu I did not only see tea being grown, but people. Interns forging new friendships, learning and working together, but also crying when it is the time to say goodbye to once strangers. Assistant Managers flourishing in their roles, taking care of interns as their family and permanent staff putting themselves in beginner’s shoes, always open to explore new ways of doing and learn from everyone, sharing the wins with the community.

So, next time you are thinking about Obubu, don’t think only about the tea, but the people behind it and the incredible ways in which they grow and pour their wholeness in this microcosm that is tea, Wazuka and Obubu.

-Cava

If you are interested in joining Obubu as a volunteer, send us an email at: obubuassistantmanagers@gmail.com