SEPTEMBER 2024 l VOL. 2

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As September unfolds, we're thrilled to embrace the vibrant season of Spring here at Goedgedacht. The farm is alive with blooming flowers and the cheerful sounds of birdsong, reminding us of the beauty that change can bring. Spring is often seen as nature’s way of nurturing and renewing life, offering us all a fresh start. It’s a time to embrace new beginnings, reflecting the gift of growth and restoration that this season symbolizes.
 
We also want to take a moment to appreciate the winter rains that filled our dams and replenished the land. The rains were a blessing, ensuring that we move into this new season with hope and gratitude.
 
Here’s to celebrating the beauty of Spring and the abundance it brings to our farm and community!

OLIVE FARM HARVEST: A SEASON OF ABUNDANCE 🌿

This year’s olive harvest at Goedgedacht was nothing short of exceptional! Our dedicated farm team worked tirelessly to bring in a bountiful crop, which will soon be transformed into the high-quality olive oil that our olive oil supporters know and love. The favourable weather conditions and the care given to our olive groves have paid off, resulting in a harvest that promises to sustain our community-focused programmes for months to come. We’re excited to share the fruits of our labour with you—stay tuned for the release of our latest olive oil batch!
Read the full press release here. 

RESTORING DIGNITY AND HOPE IN RIVERLANDS AFTER THE FLOOD.

In the aftermath of the devastating floods that hit the disadvantaged community of Riverlands, the challenges seemed insurmountable. Yet, through it all, a remarkable strength emerged from the heart of the community. At Goedgedacht Trust, we are humbled to have played a part in restoring dignity and hope to those who lost so much.

More than just providing material support and aid, we recognised the deeper emotional toll this disaster took on the community members in Riverlands. Marise, our compassionate social worker, has been offering mental health sessions for mothers at the Riverlands POP Centre. These sessions have become a safe space where mothers can share their fears, receive guidance, and begin a healing process. The trauma of losing homes and livelihoods was immense, but these brave women are finding strength to rebuild – not only for themselves but for their children, families and their future.

In the face of such adversity, we have witnessed something truly beautiful. Families have come together in newfound solidarity, and the emotional support we’ve been able to provide is making a real, lasting impact. The flood may have taken much, but it has also opened doors for deeper connection, resilience, and renewed hope.

Our commitment to the Riverlands community remains steadfast. We are walking alongside this community, restoring dignity, one family at a time. This is the power of hope in action, and it is because of generous donors like you that we can continue this vital work.

UK SCHOOLS VISIT: BUILDING GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

We recently had the pleasure of hosting several schools from the United Kingdom at Goedgedacht, managed by our Events and Accommodation department. These visits offered a unique opportunity for students to learn about our initiatives, experience South African culture, and understand the impact of community-driven projects. The students were particularly inspired by our Pathway Onto Prosperity (POP) programme, and we were pleased to witness the exchange of ideas and enthusiasm. These international connections not only broaden perspectives but also strengthen our global network of supporters. We’re grateful for their visit and look forward to continuing this partnership.

SEF - THIRD YEAR PARTICIPATION: STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT.

At the end of 2021, in collaboration with other development partners, we applied to become a Strategic Implementation Partner (SIP) for the implementation of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)'s Social Employment Fund (SEF). The SEF is a programme aimed at supporting employment creation and improving livelihoods, which falls under the Presidential Employment Stimulus. Its goal is to serve the common good and assist civil society organisations in finding community-driven solutions to local issues.
 
The SEF recognises that unemployed individuals in communities are a valuable resource for development, and that even if their labour may not have a market value, it still holds social value and can create social impact. In addition to providing a safety net of income, the SEF offers participants valuable job skills and training, increasing their competitiveness in the job market.
 
Recently, together with our partners launched the third phase of the SEF (SEF 3). This iteration will run until the end of April 2025, with participants working seven days per month. Our focus during this round is on two key thematic areas: supporting small-scale agriculture and food gardening as viable livelihood strategies, and establishing micro-businesses as a means to overcome unemployment and reliance on grants. These programmes are being implemented in the Northern Cape and within the Swartland Municipality in the Western Cape.
 
Within the Swartland Municipality, we offer 400 work opportunities, collaborating with local partners such as the Swartland Municipality and the Esterhof-based NGO, Impendulo. To support micro-business training and establishment, assistance has been sought from the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).
 
We remain committed to continuing this journey of growth and positive impact. Thank you to everyone who has supported our SEF initiatives. Together, we hope to creating a brighter future for all.

ANNOUNCING THE LAUNCH OF THE REMHOOGTE PRE-SCHOOL THIS OCTOBER. 

We are excited to share that Goedgedacht Trust is expanding its pre-school footprint with the launch of another pre-school in Remhoogte this October! Dedicated to supporting children from local farming communities in the valley, this new facility reinforces our commitment to early childhood development in the Swartland region.

The Goedgedacht Remhoogte Pre-School will offer a safe and nurturing environment where young children can flourish, laying a strong foundation for their future education. This expansion is a significant step in ensuring more children have access to quality early learning opportunities and education.

There's so much we still need to do and need your help so stay tuned for more updates as we approach the pre-school’s opening—your ongoing support will help transform the lives of these young learners!

For general enquiries or assistance, please feel free to contact our team at fundraising@goedgedacht.org