芝城故事 Chicago Stories- Lambs Farm 小羊農莊

30 May 2013 

Day 9 in Chicago

Lambs Farm - where people grow

http://lambsfarm.org

因為荷蘭村的鬰金香花期剛過，KL 建議到小羊農荘。農莊在往威斯康新高速的右邊。深紅色的房子是牧場，白色和淺灰色的是院舍。院舍的住客是發展障礙人士，農莊的多元化服務和營運，為他們提供了就業和社交機會。豐富多彩的文化康樂活動讓「參與者」活得豐盛。小羊農莊給我莫大的激勵。

'This is a place where children come to pat lambs and ride the carousel.' A group of about 20 kindergarten kids were rolling frolicking on the grass and climbing up benches to watch the lambs and mules. The picture of the 'Green Farm in Tin Shui Wai', a shabby and poorly managed 'edutainment' came to my mind. The first encounter with amember of the 'staff' sitting in front of the information center told me that this place was different. The response we received from this lady was unusual. Her colleague, a grey haired gentlemen who was tending the grass, grinned at us. There was something innocent and kind about his whole outlook. I suddenly realized that this farm was a social enterprise.

t seems that I am always bumping into organizations that are 50 years old. The array of services and activities offered was amazing. The core was to offer boarding and jobs to 'Participants' with developmental disabilities. Jobs include gardening, housekeeping, looking after animals, serving in the bakery, restaurant, and shops. They organize events such as charity car and bike shows, special Olympics, annual drama performance, as well as antique shows in partnership with various bodies held on the farm and other venues. Besides regular staff, a large number of volunteers were involved in realizing its mission:

"Helping people with developmental disabilities lead productive, happy lives and connecting with the human spirit in us all."

It's value statement encourages me to move forward with the Tinshuiwai project.

Lambs Farm

Where People Grow

Lambs Farm is a place that impacts all people who come in contact with it. The projectis rooted in the belief that all people are valuable, and that, given the right conditions, anyone can lead moreproductive, fulfilling and happy lives. It believes that the human spirit needs more than just physical nourishment to survive, and that social interaction and productive work are essential.

Lambs Farm is about helping people and helping people help themselves. It is about self-reliance, hard work and a nurturing environment, all working together to cultivate human fulfillment. Simply put, Lambs Farm is a place where all people grow.