When three influential gentlemen bought a burnt down farm in Naledi Village, in Rustlers Valley in South Africa, they decided to renew the farm with help of the local community and built up the community again. For their efforts the local people received the minimum wage, which is higher than the wages they received before, and hereby the local economy was stimulated too. Since the arrival of these new residents, the local villagers are cultivating crops on the lands and the harvests or incomes are fully for them.
In cooperation with the land owners the Zorg van de Zaak Foundation has helped further expand this project.
The farming group consists of 15 persons and minimal 50% is female. The land is cultivated and an irrigation system is installed. There is also a ploughing machine which can be rented out to neighbouring communities. The village people are heavily involved in all stages of the project and there are a lot of the future plans.
It is really hard work to transform lives, also one's own, and to create a more humane world. At the same time it is extremely rewarding and fulfilling. Transformed people transform communities.
The partnership with the Zorg van de Zaak Foundation has helped us to walk behind those that are the forefront in the community turning their dreams into reality, engaged in socially useful labour to produce goods and services that meet the real needs of the community.
We are looking forward to continue and deepen the unique partnership with the Zorg van de Zaak Foundation building an approach to equitable, sustainable, thriving rural communities.