Set in the heart of Cape Town, this unique urban farming project will allow you to experience sustainable farming, education, and health promotion. The project encourages change in the way the public sees food production and purchasing and also teaches the community where our food really comes from, and how it can benefit and sustain the city and the families that live here.
| Location | Oranjezicht, Cape Town, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Duration | From 2 weeks |
| Dates | All year round |
| Requirements |
|
| Minimum Age: | 18 |
| Your impact | |
| Documents required | Enrolment form, curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, passport copy, proof of medical insurance |
| Day of arrival | Sunday |
| Day of departure | Saturday |
This is a neighbourhood non-profit project celebrating local food and community. A disused bowling green from the 1950s, the site comprises part of a historic farm established in 1709. The project seeks to reconnect the Oranjezicht neighbourhood and the rest of Cape Town to this neglected piece of heritage through education and vegetable gardening, and to use it as a catalyst to build social cohesion, develop skills, educate residents and their children about food and environmental issues, and champion unused or under-utilised public green spaces in the city.
In addition to providing fresh produce, the farm serves as a 2500m2 outdoor classroom for all ages, open free to the public 6 days a week. Annually, it hosts school visits for over 1000 learners from more than 40 local schools who engage in hands-on activities covering some 17 curriculum-aligned topics, with another 1000 people booking guided tours each year. Weekly pick-your-own harvests, interactive workshops, annual Heritage Day events and more keep the community engaged and the farm humming with activity.
Monday – Saturday 08:00 – 14:00.
Please note that there can be seasonal adjustments for peak winter (later start) and peak summer (earlier start). Volunteers are expected to help on occasional Saturday mornings.
You typically volunteer hands-on alongside the project’s qualified organic farmers, doing a range of food-gardening activities. During school visits, you support the delivery of educational programmes. Weekly ‘pick-your-own harvests’ on Saturday mornings and allotment holder planting events are other opportunities for support and engagement with the community. Wednesday and Friday mornings are harvests, when volunteers help to pick, wash, and bundle the yield of the farm.
It is important to note that this description serves as an example only. The daily tasks and challenges depend on the volunteer and the work that needs to be done. The final job description can therefore vary substantially from the above.
You will live at a Host family in Cape Town. Your host could be a single woman, an older couple or a young couple with children. You will be staying at a single room but share the bathroom with your family. A host family is a great way to practice the language even when not at the project and to find a second family in South Africa. South African host families are known to be very friendly and hospitable.
An upgrade to stay with a host family within proximity to the project and private bathroom is a possibility anytime.
You will be receiving breakfast and dinner at your Host Family. Lunch is self-catering.
Manoel from Brazil
“This was my first experience outside my country and I was lucky to have Good Hope helping me realize this old dream. Congratulations on the attention, seriousness and beautiful work you do in these volunteer projects.
I loved it and I already want to go back.“
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