Zwelitsha Youth Farm Project
Zwelitsha is a rural village in the north of the Eastern Cape that until recently was particularly isolated because of bad roads. The Zwelitsha Youth Farm project is a fantastic example of 'Small is Beautiful'. A core group work daily in a large vegetable garden on 2 hectares of land donated by the village chief. The garden provides improved nutrition as well as income from the sale of surplus produce that supports the schooling of HIV/AIDS orphans.
ASAP’s focus has been on providing organic agricultural training and resources, as well as mentoring the group as they plan to build a roadside stall to sell fresh produce. ASAP made it possible for 2 key members of the group to attend an accredited course in Basic Permaculture food gardening. They returned and implemented resource-efficient designs that enable the Zwelitsha group to grow organic food crops in a harsh, dry environment. The installation of a handpump has enabled them to grow winter crops during the season of no rain. Inspired by his work at Zwelitsha, the current Project Leader hopes to study agriculture when he has finished school.
In their own words…
"Our main objectives are to pay school fees for the orphans in our community, to eradicate unemployment, poverty and crime. The Chief, Morapedi Lehata, has given us a field and he motivated the youth to be involved in community upliftment. The parents are also supporting the project; the women help to irrigate, carry the water and remove weeds. Our motto is forward ever and backward never."
| 2003 | 2008 | |
| ASAP Grants | R4,000 | R19,106 |
| No. Of OVC | 13 | 35 |
