Women Empowerment Supporter - Bedouin Community

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

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

Highlights

  • Experience a sustainable living lifestyle.
  • Get involved with female farmers of the bedouin community.
  • Learn organic and regenerative agriculture in the desert.

Highlights

  • Experience a sustainable living lifestyle.
  • Get involved with female farmers of the bedouin community.
  • Learn organic and regenerative agriculture in the desert.
  • Explore the surrounding mountains of Sinai Desert and the Red Sea


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Help restore Women-run food gardens with daily life gardening activities. Empowered female farmers will be the key to a healthy food chain for the new generations.

    About Habiba Community

    Habiba Community is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai with the Sinai Mountains on one side and sandy beaches with turquoise waters of the Red Sea 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 ...

    About the program

    About Habiba Community

    Habiba Community is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai with the Sinai Mountains on one side and sandy beaches with turquoise waters of the Red Sea 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. 

    Habiba aspires to set a successful example to be followed by locals across the Sinai Peninsula. For this reason, Habiba welcomes volunteers, students conducting research, and experts. 

    Habiba Community is committed to transforming the lives of local Bedouin communities by promoting sustainable agriculture and permaculture. We do this by empowering the Bedouins to try different organic farming techniques, helping them not only to grow their own produce but to conduct their own research into how best to make use of the resources around us. 

    About the Program

    *PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY FEMALE VOLUNTEERS ARE ACCEPTED IN THIS PROGRAM*

    This specific Volunteer Program aims at the economic and educational empowerment of women who have more restrictions on their lives. Our goal through the women empowerment program is to provide opportunities for Bedouin women to have alternative economic incomes through gardening to improve their lives. 

    The goal is to provide Bedouin women with everyday household farm knowledge so that they can both support their own food needs as well as participate in crop exchanges with other families.

    Facilitate a platform where women can share and exchange knowledge on a variety of topics, including cooking, healthcare, and comprehensive care for hair and body wellness. This initiative aims to empower women by fostering a community where they can learn from each other's experiences and expertise in these areas.

    This includes gardening in desert environments, environmental care, nutrition, handicrafts, and food production for sale.

    Our vision is to create a sense of responsibility towards the environment where people believe they can change the world by learning and developing their skills. In order to achieve this, it is important for Bedouins to understand that the world we live in is not just for us but for the future generations to come.

    We also wish for this program to be an inspiration for other women and families in Nuweiba and the rest of Sinai Bedouin tribes.

    Ideal Applicants

    Firstly, you should be open-minded and culturally sensitive. Ideally, you will have experience working with developing communities elsewhere in the world. However, even if you do not, you should have the appropriate sensitivity to be able to communicate cross-culturally with people from strikingly different economic and cultural backgrounds.

    Secondly, it would be helpful if you have handicraft, cooking, or other home-making skills. You do not need any qualifications — common sense and everyday skills are all we ask for, plus an ability to learn and teach.

    Finally, because of the time investment in building relationships, we require a minimum of two weeks. Please note that preference will always be given to those who can commit for 4 weeks or more.

    You do not need to speak any Arabic to communicate well. So much communication is done simply by being present. However, any Arabic ability (or enthusiasm to learn it) is welcome!

    What should I bring?

    Bring sun protection (lightweight clothing to cover your head, neck, and shoulders), mosquito repellant, sturdy shoes, work gloves, beach gear, and a sense of adventure. If you forget anything, you can buy most of the above in shops around Dahab and Nuweiba, but get shoes and cargo gear before arriving if possible.

    During winter, bring warm clothes for the evenings when it can get chilly, especially when it’s windy.

    It would also be helpful to bring any handicraft household items that may be common in your country/culture, such as sewing kits or bakeware. 



    Typical day

    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. You will also spend a couple of days meeting members of the community in their homes and at Habiba.

    Depending on the ...

    Typical day

    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. You will also spend a couple of days meeting members of the community in their homes and at Habiba.

    Depending on the length of your stay you may learn

    • Household tasks like making jam, bread, cheese, and cakes, especially using local equipment. When relevant, you will learn dietary concepts like basic nutrition, e.g. the importance of sugar.
    • How to prepare the herbs, jams, and flavored tea products that the Bedouin produces to sell.
    A typical day
    You will interact with community members around Nuweiba and transfer knowledge and skills to them. You will also learn about the local Bedouin cultural heritage and habits.

    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: 
    • Visiting the Habiba Organic Farm to pick up materials, meet people, and/or help at the farm.
    • Visiting local community members to help with training and gardening projects, handicraft projects, and home projects.
    • Cultural exchange/communication.
    Dinner is served at 7 pm and generally is vegetarian, community home-style food, made entirely with produce from the organic farm. 


    Free-time activities

    Nuweiba has a lot to offer for your free time activities.

    There are numerous dive centers around, which can both train you in diving and rent your gear. You can also arrange camel rides, both for a one-day ride or multi-day excursions.

    There are also yoga, meditation, and craft centers around Nuweiba, ...

    Free-time activities

    Nuweiba has a lot to offer for your free time activities.

    There are numerous dive centers around, which can both train you in diving and rent your gear. You can also arrange camel rides, both for a one-day ride or multi-day excursions.

    There are also yoga, meditation, and craft centers around Nuweiba, boat trips, and safaris.

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

    Please note that excursions 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

    farming, cooking, handicraft, household skills

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday

    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 minutes walking 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 according to 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

    Gustavo Rommel Nunes rating4.6

    2024 at Women Empowerment Supporter - Bedouin Community

    Habiba is a beautiful site facing the Aqaba gulf in the sinai peninsula in Egypt. The community performs multidisciplinary efforts supporting the entire region in areas such as organic and regenerative farming, academic research and more. It is a very safe and welcoming environment, and the team is ...
    There's no word to describe the experience that lived How can I describe something I can't even understand When I left Nuweiba, I left my heart, my soul, my mind and everything I am In Nuweiba, this is real life, simple, that makes you feel that All Troubles are insignificant You don't care of ...
    This program is the best opportunity to interact with the locals. It is a one life experience that helps you to understand and to grow. Habiba is a special place with a beautiful farm in which you can feel the passion of the people working in it. This program gives the possibility to learn a lot ...

    Location

    Africa > Northern Africa > Egypt > Nuweiba

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    Arabic, Italian, English

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