"Children are the future of the world, let's start with the children."
The Goedgedacht Trust, established in 1993, is a farm-based community support organisation situated in the Swartland region of the Western Cape. Goedgedacht, the Cape Dutch farm that is home to the Trust, dates from the early 18th century and lies on the slopes of the Kasteelberg, some 85km north of Cape Town.
Managed by a board of trustees, the Goedgedacht Trust was initiated to assist in the transformation of impoverished rural communities in the West Coast region of the Western Cape and have since adapted its support models to help as many families as possible to implement sustainable strategies that will bring long term relief to those in need.
OUR VISION AND MISSION
The Trust seeks to transform rural communities, by presenting children and young adults in particular with opportunities to become healthy, self-confident, educated and skilful members of their communities.
Farm working communities of the Western Cape have long been trapped in the cycle of generational poverty. Many present-day social issues are a result of grave injustices of the past. Great strides have been made since South Africa became a democracy country, but it’s devastating and lasting effect on sociaty is evident.
By using an Asset Based Community Development approach, we encourage and support community members to drive their own initiatives with the aim of growing and developing into self-sustainable and thriving communities.
Because one good project alone is not enough to help farm working communities break the cycle of generational poverty, the Trust developed several interlinked programmes accessible to all rural children and rural youth.
OUR BELIEFS
We believe that early intervention with sound investment will lead to massive savings through transformed rural communities contributing socially and financially to the country at large. We are deeply concerned about the tremendous challenges communities face as a result of poverty, but our philosophy remains simple: provide opportunities for development, recognise and build on community strengths, and collaborate with stakeholders in the social sector.
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE PAST 28 YEARS
8
POP Youth Centres established
695
Children supported daily with a nutritious meal in our POP Centres’ Aftercare Programme
491
Total meals provided daily to adults through our Riebeek West & Porterville POP centres.
1,479
Community Gardens established
16
Communities we are currently supporting
64
Children enrolled in our Pre-School on Goedgedacht Farm