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QUACHA VENOOTSKAP

Quacha Vennootskap consists of 3 production units or citrus farms.  These farms are situated in Patensie, Kirkwood and Melon. The focus is on the production of different citrus varieties and the successful export and marketing of these products.  In this process we hope to expand our capacities, create opportunities and built resources on various levels that will benefit not only the owners and workers but also impact larger communities.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

Quacha Vennootskap is situated in the rural Eastern Cape where resources and jobs are scarce and education poor. They are rapidly developing and need more trained people to ensure optimal production and growth as well as possible further expansion.
The farm community consists of various farmworkers with children who need caring for when their parents are at work. Schooling opportunities in this area are inadequate and often the cause for unschooled pregnant teenagers. Furthermore there is no support once kids go to school; this includes education services such as space to be educated in, further learning opportunities as well as academic support.
No programs currently exist in our area to bridge this problem and getting the attention or support from the government has not been successful thus far.

PROJECT MODEL

The project is built on the foundation of creating a training centre that is composed of different parts to fulfill the needs of the farm and surrounding community. Quacha Vennootskap is aiming to bridge the constraints posed on our farming population but also the overall community, by creating resources that will uplift the people, create new jobs and potentially serve a bigger population. It aims to grow into something sustainable that will not stagnate but attract more investment to keep on expanding and create new opportunities. Firstly the project will implement the following components successfully in the Patensie area to set a solid foundation. The goal is to replicate this model and create smaller hubs around this learning centre at the new production units and new agricultural jobs that accompany it. This will assist production so that more growth can take place in the future and the project can, therefore, be fully sustained.

PROJECT PROGRESS

Quacha Vennootskap is currently funding R300 000 a year for the implementation and development of this project.  This combined with an Agriseta grant for adult training and skills development has enabled the following processes:

 

  • An established crèche and Grade R schooling facility
  • Training of a teacher from the community
  • Feeding scheme for kids
  • Afterschool homework classes for school kids
  • Computer literacy and training for school kids
  • Community activities for the youth
  • Social events for preschool and school kids as well as fundraisers for adults
  • Basic parenting classes
  • Better education for Grade R’s when in Primary school.  (Reduced rates at Gamtoos Valley Primary)
  • Adult education and training that gives the workers recognised qualifications
  • Technical skills training
  • Technical in-house farm process and skills training
  • Developing of material for in-house training
  • HIV/AIDS and TB training, counselling and monitoring
  • Weekly on farm health services by a registered nurse and doctor
  • Leadership training
  • Lifeskills training such as finances and basic budgeting skills
  • Relationship building and counselling
  • Starting to implement all these services on a weekly basis in the Kirkwood and Melon community as well.