|P| Farmer SANATA a.k.a. "LA MAMA"

Sanata, Nodar's mother, might be 60 years old, she is still rocking this farm on a daily life basis. When something needs to be done, she won't think twice and will grab the bull by its horns. From catching beeswarms high up in a tree to axing a tree twix to splinters in a few fine hits, she does it all. She's also the one deciding what needs to happen on the farm and she controls the work we do. If we are not supposed to do something, we will know it as well.

As there is a clear language barrier, it's very hard to get familiar with her. Our most intens communication happens by laughing and headshaking or by saying 'nedloba' and 'gama djoba', which is Georgian for 'thank you' and 'good morning'. But even with the language barrier, she manages to get our deepest respect.

She grew up in this farm in Vakisopeli as the youngest of 4, living in these bare conditions summer and winter from 1957 till 1998. The summers here are already tuff, but winter tops that temperatures very below 0°C, a few meters of snow and often frozen pipelines. You have to take in all provisions to survive the winter and literally wait till it is over.In these conditions, she raised Nodar as a single mother. In this very man-focused culture she stands her ground as a single mother and that must be a tuff battle every day. Her relationship with Nodar is lovely to see. True mother-son love, and an intens admiration for each other. To watch this, and to see how attentful she is towards us and always tries to please us, we can see that even though she might be strict, she has a big warm heart. A great mama to everyone!

Big up for Sanata!