Volunteering
Habiba Organic Farm (HOF) was founded in 2007 in the Bedouin town of Nuweiba, South Sinai. What was once a piece of empty, lifeless desert (in spite of its highly fertile soil), has became a production hub for wide variety of local grown organic products.
Collaboration between Bedouin natives of the Sinai, with researchers from across Egypt and France, and the generous efforts of volunteers from around the world led to the development of a high yielding, purely organic farm that continues to deliver healthy, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs to the local community. Our aim is to highlight the benefits of organic practices to not only the local environment, but also to the communities that produce and consume our produce. HOF trials new varieties regularly, and acts as a hub for knowledge transfer between the farm, the Desert Research Center, Ain Shams University - , Suez Canal University and the local Bedouin tribes (Tarabin, Jabaleya, Muzeina).
We harvest many plant varieties all year round, including eggplant and asparagus. Winter crops include Fava Beans, Swiss Chard, Kohlrabi, Kale, Beetroot, Salad Leaves, Rocket, Parsley, Dill, Fennel, Quinoa, Spinach, Onions and Garlic; with a wide selection of tomatoes grown under cover. Summer crops include Okra, Molokia, Peanuts, Melon, Water Melon, Pumpkin and Sesame Seeds. We are also growing mulberries, olives, pomegranates, corn, medjoul dates, and a growing selection of herbs; including basil, wild mint (habak) and rosemary.
The mission of Habiba Organic Farm is to promote sustainable agriculture and the permaculture lifestyle within Nuweiba’s local community and the surrounding Sinai, the farm aspires to set a successful example to be followed by locals across the peninsula.
Volunteering Opportunities
Discovering the Desert Farm Life
3 Day Program
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Introduction to organic farming in arid areas
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Learn all about food security and environmental protection
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Gain practical experience in compost product & use of organic pesticides
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Interaction with local Bedouin community
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Free time to chill out at our beach lodge and enjoy all our facilities; including our own private clear sandy beach
1800 EGP
Accommodation
Including 2 vegetarian meals
50% discount on the beverages lodge
1 Week Program
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Learn how organic production compares to conventional / industrial farming systems.
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Develop an understanding of benefits and constraints of production using organic systems, including the benefits and drawbacks of composting (including how to prepare it), soil building and nutrient management.
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Learn the benefits of mulching and other conservation agriculture techniques.
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Understand the hurdles farmers need to cross when they attempt to green or farm in desert or degraded environments.
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We will discuss soil and water conservation techniques and the use of drip irrigation systems to manage water resources.
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During all this we want you to gain practical experience with harvesting, sowing, companion planting and how to identify the right plants to grow, and when to grow them. We will also show you how to identify and control pests and diseases in organic systems.
3300 EGP
Accommodation
Including 2 vegetarian meals
50% discount on the beverages lodge
2 Week Program
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During the 2-week program, the first week is the same as the 1-week program; but during the second week we will expand on the first week topics.
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We will explain the design principles of drip irrigation systems, especially with saline groundwater (as is the case in much of South Sinai, and many other areas of the world).
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We will introduce you to permaculture design principles and the correct settings for the technique.
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We will cover a broader selection of plants in our plant pests and disease identification and control syllabus.
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We will also discuss land evaluation techniques; specifically for farming. This includes soil and water analysis, climatic conditions, topography etc, and how in some cases we can alter these to favour farming without disrupting the environmental balance.
6000 EGP
Accommodation
Including 2 vegetarian meals
50% discount on the beverages lodge
In 2009, the first volunteer landed in HOF, flying all the way from Japan to enjoy South Sinai's nature, he ended up watering the farms soil, applying fertilizer and skillfully hand-picking veggies under a golden afternoon sun. Since the first volunteer, HOF has received volunteers from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Romania, Italy, and even Australia and Egypt.
HOF provides volunteers with accomodation at the guest house in the farm or at Habiba Beach lodge on the sandy beaches of Nuweiba. Each room is equipped with beds, closets, sheets, and views the Aqaba Gulf. Volunteers are also provided hearty organic meals which they sometimes grow, pick and cook themselves. Habiba Beach lodge is in walking distance from the farm and the markets of Nuweiba. The farm is also equipped with a kitchen and two guest rooms. if volunteers prefer falling asleep while gazing at the silhouette of trees, the farm should be their top pick.
Candidates for the volunteering positions will have the opportunity to live and work in a close-knit community of Egyptians, Bedouins, tourists, the local expatriate community, and farming experts who attend periodically to carry out duties at HOF. 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 Sheikh, St Catherine, Cairo, and many other locations in Egypt.
Voluntourism Programs
We are often asked why volunteers need to pay to join a volunteer program. True, it does seem odd at first, but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense:
Our social projects hardly earn enough money to cover their costs. This is also the main reason why we need your help. we cannot afford to bear all the costs by ourselves. This is why we depend on the volunteer's fees.
Fees for the volunteers arise because a volunteer program causes expenses for the social project that runs the program.
There are basically two main types of expenses:
1. Fees associated with a volunteer program
The social project is coordinating, organizing and processing your stay. Therefore they need to have a proper administration office. Furthermore, they help and guide you once you are on site. In exchange, many of the projects provide accommodation, food, and drink. All these expenses need to be covered.
2. General Expenses
These expenses emerge in order to run the social project and can include office-items, salaries of local staff, insurances, trainings, telecommunication, office rent, transportation etc.
All these fees can be associated directly with the social project. The fees help the social project to operate and to improve the community.
Social projects need help with IT, Business Administration and Fund Raising, as well. Overall, your time and your financial contribution is the key to make our social impact work!