South Africa: New jobs in organic farming
Diepsloot is a densely populated suburb in northern Johannesburg. More than 300,000 people live here, many of them unemployed. Terre des Hommes project partner, "Afrika Tikkun," trains young people in organic farming to pave the way for their independence.
Along with 60 other young people, she is learning not only how to prepare, plant, water, and control pests in a garden bed, but also how to manage a small farm. The agricultural and business management training lasts one year and is attended by 45 women between the ages of 18 and 25. Those who wish can then cultivate a 300-square-meter plot of land independently and put their newly acquired knowledge into practice.
“I can’t wait for someone to offer me a job,” says Debra. A single mother, she can’t find employment despite her degrees in computer science and agriculture. So she’s made a decision: “I’ll create my own job.” To that end, Debra is participating in a program run by the organization Afrika Tikkun and supported by Terre des Hommes and the Volkswagen Employee Foundation. At the Tikkun center in Diepsloot, she’s learning all about organic farming and how to secure her income with it.
The trainees don't have to worry about sales: organically grown food is rare in Diepsloot and the surrounding area. The fresh vegetables are already well-known here. Everything is grown naturally, and you can taste the difference. After her apprenticeship, Debra wants to start her own business, create jobs, and supply people with her healthy products. Her plans are primarily focused on her family's future. Food, housing, a good education – all of that costs a lot of money, but Debra is certain: "If I start with one hectare of land and gradually expand, I can achieve a lot!"