Sustainable Development Changemaker

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Experience promoting sustainable desert agriculture.
  • Work as changemaker toward a sustainable development for the Bedouin community.
  • Work to preserve Nuweiba desertic and marine ecosystem.

Highlights

  • Experience promoting sustainable desert agriculture.
  • Work as changemaker toward a sustainable development for the Bedouin community.
  • Work to preserve Nuweiba desertic and marine ecosystem.
  • Taste our organic vegetables and fruits directly from the farm.
  • Experience work, adventure and relax in an unique location in the Red Sea.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Discover Bedouin lifestyles, new desert sustainable agriculture techniques, give back to the community & exchange cultural experiences. Make a lasting impact in Nuweiba.

    About Habiba Community

    Habiba Community is committed to transforming the lives of local Bedouin communities through promoting sustainable agriculture and permaculture. We do this by empowering the Bedouin we employ to experiment with organic farming, helping them to not only grow their own produce ...

    About the program

    About Habiba Community

    Habiba Community is committed to transforming the lives of local Bedouin communities through promoting sustainable agriculture and permaculture. We do this by empowering the Bedouin we employ to experiment with organic farming, helping them to not only grow their own produce but to conduct their own research into how best to make use of the resources around us. Our goal at the farm is to help the local Bedouin learn and create their own farms, thus creating employment, food security, and a sense of commitment to the future of our shared environment. Habiba aspires to set a successful example to be followed by locals across the Sinai Peninsula.

    Habiba Community is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai with the Sinai Mountains on one side and sandy beaches with turquoise waters on the other. The farm is based on a plot of what was an empty desert and has transformed it into a production hub of locally grown organic vegetables, as well as a center for research in sustainable desert agriculture. We are a center for research and regularly collaborate and conduct knowledge transfer with the Desert Research Center as well as agricultural research institutes around the world. For this reason, Habiba welcomes volunteers, students conducting research, and experts.

    Habiba also aims to promote the importance of conservation. We teach the local communities the benefits of organic farming practices, showing that it not only benefits the individuals who consume the product, but also the environment as a whole.

    Volunteering at the Organic Farm

    The goal of this project is to help Bedouin organic farmers with their research and experimental farming projects. You will help them discover new desert agricultural techniques and exchange cultural experiences.

    This is a unique opportunity for you to work with the Bedouins side-by-side, for you to learn to see the world through their eyes, and to give them a chance to do the same with you.

    By participating in this project you will be empowering local Bedouins to create their own food security in an uncertain world, as well as to teach them not only to farm in the desert but to conduct desert farming research to continue innovating on their own. Our metric for success is when one of our farmers can leave to create their own experimental farm elsewhere in the desert.

    Training

    You will spend a few days at Habiba Organic Farm learning desert farming, water management techniques, and waste management in order to be able to train the Bedouin community.

    What should I bring?

    Sun protection, including lightweight clothing to cover your head, neck, and shoulders, mosquito repellant, sturdy shoes, work gloves, beach gear, and a sense of adventure. Most of the above are available in shops around Dahab and Nuweiba, but it is preferable to buy your quality shoes and cargo gear before arriving. Winter gets chilly, even in Sinai, especially in January and February, so bring warm clothes for the evenings.



    Typical day

    You will interact with community members at the Habiba Organic Farm. You will spend time doing organic farming, helping with projects run by local community members, and generally interacting with them. Work schedule varies by season and the most critical time is autumn, starting mid-September.

    The ...

    Typical day

    You will interact with community members at the Habiba Organic Farm. You will spend time doing organic farming, helping with projects run by local community members, and generally interacting with them. Work schedule varies by season and the most critical time is autumn, starting mid-September.

    The workday schedule is flexible, but it is usually divided into morning and afternoon activities. In the morning it starts around 7 am and finishes around 10 am, all the volunteers have breakfast together between 10:30 and 11:30 am, then there is free time and the afternoon activities start again around 3 pm until 5 pm. The schedule slightly changes between summer and winter time.

    The workday usually consists of: 

    • Helping local farmers with their agricultural daily activities such as planting, cleaning, harvesting, and other general farm work.
    • Assisting in the construction and maintenance of farm buildings and infrastructure.
    • Plant maintenance, composting, and sifting soil for the Habiba Farms.
    • Interacting with members of the community and participating in knowledge exchange.


    Volunteers work six days a week, with excursions typically planned on the seventh day unless, of course, you prefer to stay and relax at the beach lodge.

    After helping time, it is free time for you to relax in the beachside area. Dinner is served at 7 pm and usually is vegetarian, home-style food made entirely with produce from the organic farm.


    Free-time activities

    The recreational activities available in the Red Sea and the neighboring mountains and valleys are endless and breathtaking.

    The coast is dotted with popular snorkeling and diving sites, and nearby cities of Taba and Dahab offer many tourist activities.

    Weekly excursions to Dahab offer an ...

    Free-time activities

    The recreational activities available in the Red Sea and the neighboring mountains and valleys are endless and breathtaking.

    The coast is dotted with popular snorkeling and diving sites, and nearby cities of Taba and Dahab offer many tourist activities.

    Weekly excursions to Dahab offer an opportunity to enjoy the "city" scene and easy transportation is available to Sharm el-sheik, St. Catherine, Cairo, and many other locations in Egypt.

    There are numerous dive centers around, which can both train you in diving and rent you gear. You can also arrange camel rides as day trips or multi-day excursions. There are also yoga, meditation, and craft centers around Nuweiba, boat trips, and safaris.

    Please communicate with your host if something you’re interested in will take more than a few hours and will interrupt with your volunteer work. 

    Please note that all the free time activities are not included in the volunteer fee.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Required Documents

    CV

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Knowledge of: farming, carpentering, composting, bio-dynamics, and organic husbandry.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 06:30 - 12:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Habiba Community

    Accommodation in a cozy wooden cabin at Habiba Beach Lodge offers stunning views overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba..

    2 meals per day plus herbal tea 3 times a day.

    Wifi access at the Lodge.

    Accommodation

    Each room is equipped with beds, sheets, towels, and fan. 

    Bathrooms are shared. 

    Habiba Beach Lodge is 10 minute's walk from the farm and the markets of Nuweiba. 

    Food & Beverages

    The meals are vegetarian and many components are from the organic farm. We also provide bottled water that you can refill from the water dispenser, hot drinks like tea or Nescafe (3 times per day), and fruits (served 3 times per week).

    The chef at Habiba Beach Lodge can satisfy all of your culinary wishes, but any special requirements should be communicated prior to arrival. Traditional Egyptian cuisine is our standard. Volunteers are free to cook their own meals with the ingredients provided by the Lodge or any other ingredients they wish to buy from local markets. The meals provided are mainly vegetarian to rhyme with our concept of farming and self-sustainability. 

    Our organic veggies from the farm make superb salads, soups, and sauces.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Sharm El Sheikh Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) in Sharm el Sheikh. We assist you to find cheap flights to Egypt. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Egypt provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Egypt you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Egypt. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    We accept volunteers throughout the year, you can join when is most suitable for you!

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 748€
    4 weeks 1,456€
    6 weeks 2,095€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 3,831€
    Average fees 346€/week

    Program fees

    346€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Habiba Community during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Habiba Community

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (14 reviews)

    Agency - founded in 2013

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Maged

    Spoken languages: Arabic, Italian, English

    About the project

    Give back to the community while volunteering at our organic farm or our learning center and help us to build a strong and heallthy future!

    Meet your organization

    The Habiba Organization which includes a communal organic farm and our learning center is dedicated to building a strong, healthy future for the entire South Sinai Community.

    The Habiba Organization is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai, Egypt. Nuweiba is a previously prosperous tourist destination, however we are now aiming to redirect the communities interest and future towards organic agriculture and providing the community with after school classes. The community children do not have resources as children in big cities so we decided to start this after school learning center to give them a chance to express themselves and find out their talents and see the world in a different way , open their eyes and find best ways to manage their very limited resources and protect the environment.

    The goals of the Habiba Organization are to simulaneously provide opportunities for the next generation, as well as support the community in achieving a sustainable income from environmentally friendly farming practices.

    14 reviews · rating4.7

    It was my first time to see something like that before but when I went I feel so proud that we have these things here in Egypt. Keep going on! ...
    A place for serenity and unlimited beauty. A life changing experience recommended for those seeking to know the other side of Nuweiba! ...
    Habiba Coomunity by Mr. Maged does a great job for the local population in Sinai, the Bedouins. The place is also a great opportunity for people who are interested in organic farming/agriculture. ..
    Habiba is not a farm, its a dream, a utopia! I loved every inch from the community to the sea. Thanks for the hospitality! You are really making a difference and i will be back ...
    I was there and like it, it's amazing! the vegetables are very tasty! I will come back for sure in Egypt and i will pass to visit the Farm again and to eat some delicious vegetables :) Thank you! ...
    I highly recommend Habiba Village. Weather it's swimming, camping, volunteering on their amazing organic farm, riding camels or just enjoying the peace and quiet of the Sinai and Rad Sea, this is the place. It is not overcrowded like some of the other Sinai resorts. I really had the beautiful beach ...

    Location

    Africa > Northern Africa > Egypt > Nuweiba

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    Contact Maged
      Very high response rate
    Arabic, Italian, English

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