General Info
This Work Experience placement aims to give you maximum benefit and experience that will be invaluable to you in the future and totally different to what you're used to in your home country.
This project is based on an eco-village residential development, situated on a working Organic farm. Although luxury living, one feels as though one is living in the bush, with jackals, guinea fowl, small buck, hedgehogs and porcupines wandering freely. There is also an abundant and varied birdlife. There is a variety of projects on the go and some planned for the near future, including a dairy, producing organic milk.
The project is situated in the beautiful hills between Johannesburg and the Magaliesburg Mountains, with 3km of the Jukskei River meandering through the farm!
This is a totally new concept, combining a secure eco-village residential estate with an organic, natural way of life, as well as striving to protect and give back to the environment in every way possible. A major difference between this eco village estate and most other upmarket developments is that it’s actually a working farm, with a strong emphasis on Organic agriculture. At Monaghan Farm, you will learn how important a natural environment is for our health, well-being, safety and happiness, especially for children growing up in a world of technology.
At the heart of Farm are 10 acres dedicated to the farming of vegetables, herbs and cut flowers. Not a single pesticide or chemical fertiliser is used. Everything is organically grown and even the fertiliser used comes from the farm’s own earthworm factory. This is done by using “green” garbage and manure which the worms convert into fine, dark ‘vermicast’. A healthy herd of Nguni cattle provide the manure and crop the fields at the same time.
Organic produce is not just a luxury. Research in the UK provides a glimpse of what conventional farming approaches are doing. A study on “The Involuntary Consumption of Agro-chemicals of British Consumers” estimated that the average British consumer eats around 5 kg (11 lbs) of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides per year with their vegetables and fruits.
Benefits:
Costs vary depending on length of placement, but starts at £845 for two weeks. You can participate for up to one year, subject to visa requirements.
Included is full support from the moment of booking and throughout your placement to your return home. There are support staff 24/7 in all our destinations worldwide and a 24 hour emergency international telephone line direct to the Head Office. All meals are provided, unless otherwise stated. Accommodation is provided (whether a rented house, a hotel/hostel, homestay, apartment or flat).
You’ll be met at the nearest airport on your arrival by our in-country manager who will take you to your accommodation and give you a full induction into the area. He/she will also be on call 24/7 and you’ll see them frequently.
Pre-departure you’ll receive comprehensive information about every aspect of your placement and necessary preparations, ranging from what to pack, to visa information, to what to do on your weekend travel in the country. Your safety, well being and happiness throughout your placement are our primary concerns and we will keep in touch with you throughout. International flights not included.
Requirements:
No qualifications or previous experience are necessary, just a good dose of enthusiasm! Everyone is welcome on a Travellers programme, whether gap year, undergraduate, on a career break - or even retired! From 17 years old upwards, and all nationalities. This placement would suit anyone who wants to make a real difference, wants first-hand experience of a different culture and has initiative.
