Levi’s Nek Farm, Lesotho

At Levi’s Nek farm, another greenhouse has been specially prepared for growing tomatoes. The young farmers have planted seedlings grown on site from organic seeds supplied by our partner Agrosemens. Before planting, the beds were thoroughly prepared: they were reworked, … Read More

The potatoes planted in October by the young residents of Levi’s Nek farm are doing wonderfully! The plants have already reached about 20 centimetres, an ideal height to begin hilling, a key step in promoting tuber formation and improving the … Read More

At Levi’s Nek Farm, preparing the land is part of a permaculture approach, where respect for the soil and the balance of ecosystems guide every step. To work the land gently and efficiently, the team can count on a valuable … Read More

At Levi’s Nek Farm, founded with the support of The Ivory Foundation, young deaf and hard-of-hearing people have quickly embraced the new games in the Friends of the Vegetable Garden box set.The Seed to Plate Game and The Guardians of … Read More

At Levi’s Nek Farm, deaf and hard-of-hearing young people use the Open/Closed Vegetables Memory game to present the 25 vegetables illustrated in the game using sign language.Using the cards, they show the sign corresponding to each vegetable, creating a new … Read More

The houses designed to accommodate the most independent deaf and hard-of-hearing young people at the Levi’s Nek educational farm in Lesotho are now nearing completion. These small dwellings, designed to offer each resident their own independent living space, mark an … Read More

The young deaf and hard-of-hearing residents of Levi’s Nek Farm recently launched a spinach production near the farmhouse.This olcal cultivation allows them to harvest several times a week and regularly enrich their meals.  Spinach is an essential ingredient in local … Read More

CThis year, the young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm have had an exceptional harvest: 800 impressively large cabbages!To optimise sales, the harvests are staggered, which allows demand to be met gradually and production to be sold over a longer period.Some … Read More

At Levi’s Nek farm, livestock farming plays an important role in the economic and ecological balance of the site: Wool production is an important resource as spring approaches. The regular birth of lambs also means that some animals can be … Read More

The communal sanitary block, designed to accompany the future individual homes of the three residents of the farm, has now been completed. Construction of the first house has now begun! The beneficiaries are fully involved in every stage of the … Read More

Following a violent storm, an entire row of wooden posts making up the structure of the greenhouse at Levi’s Nek farm gave way at the base, swept away by the force of the wind on the stretched textile. With the … Read More

As part of The Ivory Foundation’s support for the Levi’s Nek farm in Lesotho, individual houses are being built for the most independent young occupants. These new homes will provide an improved living environment and the prospect of long-term investment … Read More

In Levi’s Nek, Lesotho, a condom-packing activity brings together a group of village women every month at the Farming Our Future farm.The condoms, entrusted by the Ministry of Health, are packaged in batches of four in boxes illustrated with visuals … Read More

Construction of the sanitary block for the future single-family homes of the farm’s three young people has begun. These beneficiaries are the most committed and autonomous of the ten current residents. The Ivory Foundation is building the sanitary block through … Read More

At Levi’s Nek Farm, the horse plays an essential role in agricultural work, particularly for plot maintenance and sowing. The farm’s young people prepare a mixture of seed, compost and manure, which they then place in furrows created using an … Read More

The young people at Levi’s Nek farm have learned to season “pap”, the staple cornmeal in Lesotho, with vegetable sauces made from their own garden produce. On today’s menu, chard with onions and peppers, seasoned with natural spices and rosemary … Read More

Strawberries are thriving in Southern Africa… The few plants brought back from the Garden of Skills in Eswatini have multiplied in Lesotho… The young residents of Levi’s Nek farm learned how to make the most of the runners produced by … Read More

The deaf and hard-of-hearing youngsters at Levi’s Nek farm producencorn to feed their chickens, but also for their own consumption.Freshly harvested, the shucked corn is grilled over a wood fire in a homemade frying pan.

In a bid to open up the vocational support project for deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Saint Paul’s school to young girls, a sewing training program was designed jointly by the local association Farming our Future, The Ivory Foundation and … Read More

A lasting partnership has been established between the Farming our Future farm and the medical centre at Levi’s Nek in Lesotho. The deaf and hard-of-hearing young people from the farm set up by The Ivory Foundation are given a special … Read More

Young deaf and hard-of-hearing farmers from Levi’s Nek have harvested part of their potato field. These vegetables will be added to the tomatoes, peppers and spinach harvested to fill the parcels of fresh vegetables distributed to the most vulnerable HIV-positive … Read More

Young deaf and hard-of-hearing people at Levi’s Nek farm have been able to harvest a large crop of tomatoes and peppers grown in their greenhouse.As part of the long-term partnership between the Farming our Future farm and the Levi’s Nek … Read More

As part of the long-term partnership between the Farming our Future farm and the Levi’s Nek health centre in Lesotho, the farm’s deaf and hard-of-hearing young people contribute to the well-being of HIV-positive patients from many neighbouring villages who are … Read More

The production from the nursery has been a real success on the Levi’s Nek farm! It has enabled the farm’s young residents to cultivate tomato and butternut beds in open fields. These crops complement the bell pepper seedlings already transplanted … Read More

The Ivory Foundation has provided the Levi’s Nek farm with bottomless trays to optimize seedling production in the greenhouse. The advantage of this method is to maintain a high level of substrate humidity by positioning the trays in 10cm-deep trenches … Read More

A few weeks after they have been planted, it’s time to cover the potatoes to increase their productivity,  by creating a mound around the base of the plant to encourage rooting and the development of the root network.Teamwork for the … Read More

Once again, the horse at Levi’s Nek farm will be taking part in the farming activity… He will be in charge of pulling the seed drill, in which the youngsters have mixed the seeds with a blend of compost, manure … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek farm have begun installing automatic watering systems in the greenhouses. An initial large-diameter tube was connected to the water tower running along the side of the 2 greenhouses. Pre-drilled pipes were then drawn from … Read More

The sheep flock is growing! Two little lambs have just been born…Livestock provides a substantial income for the young residents of Levi’s Nek farm, thanks in particular to wool production.

The young residents have started installing the automatic watering system. Connected to the pump, it supplies two circuits, one going to the greenhouses, again with a subdivision to water them intermittently, given the lack of pressure. The other circuit supplies … Read More

The young residents from the farm asked a neighbouring farmer to come with his tractor to plough the farm’s plot below the greenhouse. The horse was not called upon this time, as the work was too arduous, as these areas … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek farm are about to launch their first large-scale potato production… The seedlings were purchased thanks to the sale of cabbages harvested in quantity at the end of the austral winter. A complete plot has … Read More

The two 200m2 greenhouses set up on the Levi’s Neck farm provide an ideal space for market garden production.Over the winter, the youngsters planted exclusively cabbage, which will be sold at local markets in a few weeks’ time.In the spring, … Read More

The henhouse at Levi’s Nek farm provides an important source of protein for the young residents of Levi’s Nek farm by producing a large quantity of eggs. The male population is limited to a few units, so the roosters are … Read More

As well as cabbages, the young people at Levi’s Nek farm have successfully grown lettuce seeds supplied by organic seed company Agrosemens. These have adapted particularly well to the local climate.

The Levi’s Nek farm has grown over the months, and the surface area now reaches 3 hectares, following the acquisition of new plots. Thus, a horse was welcomed on the farm to help the young people with the maintenance of … Read More

We are pleased to announce the birth of two new lambs at Levi’s Nek farm. These little balls of wool quickly found their place among the other animals and bring new energy to the herd, which now numbers 16 animals. … Read More

Every day, the young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm take it in turns to look after the animals. The hens are now fed on the farm’s self-produced maize meal. The sheep graze during the day and return to the farm … Read More

Plot by plot, the young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm optimise the space available for cultivation. They work with local farmers for the first ploughing, using cattle to pull the ploughing tools. The grelinette, an 80 cm wide spade, a … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm, who are deaf and hard of hearing, are building a second greenhouse as an extension to the first. This will give them a covered area of 400m2 for market gardening. This space will … Read More

After preparing the growing beds, the young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm had the pleasure of planting their nursery-prepared lettuce plants. These plants, grown from seeds supplied by our partner Agrosemens, will benefit from a protected space during the southern … Read More

The greenhouse at Levi’s Nek Farm is now up and running! In order to get the greenhouse operational without delay, the young residents set about installing the growing beds inside. To do this, they applied the principle of permaculture and … Read More

A shredder has been purchased to equip the farm of the young deaf and hard-of-hearing residents, enabling them to transform the harvested maize stalks into feed for their poultry. The youngsters  had the ingenious idea of using the grinder to … Read More

A local health centre, located near the Levi’s Nek farm, has been approached with the aim of developing links with the deaf young residents of the farm. A counsellor from the hospital, currently based at the clinic, will take part … Read More

The Parisian atelier Keit has generously donated medical uniforms to the association Designing Hope for distribution to its various African partners. The association gave the medical staff at the Levi’s Nek health centre the opportunity to choose an outfit from … Read More

The workshop at Levi’s Nek Farm is now fully equipped, allowing the young residents to make themselves everything they need for the farm. For example, to build their greenhouse, they made a metal ladder, which they were able to weld … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek farm have started to put up the fence around the farm’s pasture. This area of over a hectare is situated high above the farmhouse, on the edge of the forest. The fence will enable … Read More

Following the successful construction of a 300 m² greenhouse at the Saint-Paul School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Leribe, the young residents of Levi’s Nek have embarked on the construction of two other structures, each measuring 200 … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek farm have started to put up the fence around the farm’s pasture. This area of over a hectare is situated high above the farmhouse, on the edge of the forest. The fence will enable … Read More

The construction of a workshop has been launched to provide the young residents of Levi’s Nek farm with a workspace and a place to store their equipment. Once up and running, this workshop will enable the deaf and hard-of-hearing young … Read More

At Levi’s Nek, the division of tasks between the young residents works perfectly well! Damane is the group’s baker, and twice a week he prepares bread for the 10 residents of the farm. The bread is baked in a pan … Read More

Exchanges of experience between projects in southern Africa also take the form of exchanges of plants and seeds. For example, the women from the Garden of Skills have given sweet potato plants, strawberry runners and Chya cuttings to the young … Read More

An herb garden has been created at the entrance to the farm, using stones salvaged from old buildings to create a terraced garden and steps to access the garden. Aromatic herbs and medicinal plants were purchased from a nursery in … Read More

The latest phase in the development of the Levi’s Nek farm is the construction of a 6×3 metre workshop, close to the other buildings.This workshop includes an enclosed storeroom for tools and animal feed, and a covered area where young people can work with wood or … Read More

In Lesotho, it is not uncommon for a landowner to want the house built on the plot of land he is selling back.The materials salvaged (stones, tin roof, window, door) will be used to rebuild the house elsewhere…This was the case … Read More

Levi’s Nek farm is located in an exceptional natural setting, at the foot of a small hill that gives absolutely no hint of the exceptional view that can be enjoyed from its summit.The young people on the farm collect dead wood on … Read More

The young deaf and dumb farmers  were trained in metalwork. They were able to make the 12 bed frames for their dormitory, as well as the tables and shelves needed to fit out the farm. This skill is an asset that … Read More

With the support of The Ivory Foundation, a new plot of land has just been acquired to extend the farm.This plot is modest in size, but essential for the future of the project, as it can be built on.It will be dedicated … Read More

The Levi’s Nek farm has 2 dormitories and a shared living room where young people share their meals.The youths take it in turns to prepare their meals. They have got into the habit of cooking balanced meals for themselves, with … Read More

A new species of indigenous hen has been introduced to the Levi’s Nek farm, and they are impressive for their size and plumage. They are also capable of laying large eggs, which are highly prized on the local market.The presence of several males … Read More

Using off-cuts from the boards used for the beds, large shelves were designed to fit out the workshop and the storage room for seeds and feed for the farm animals.The aim was also, as part of the metal training offered … Read More

The youngsters at Levi’s Nek have taken a liking to board games. Dominoes, triominoes, uno – they’ve discovered this activity recently, and are enjoying this relaxing time together.

One of the first objects made during the metal training course organised by Cyrille Varet at Levi’s Nek farm for The Ivory Foundation was a workbench, the starting point for designing all the objects the woman will need…  Other tables will follow, a sideboard … Read More

While the young people on the Levi’s Nek farm may have unequal skills and potential, there is a constant desire on the part of the group for everyone to be involved in the farm’s activities.The strongest prepare the soil, while the weakest … Read More

The Ivory Foundation has provided the Levi’s Nek farm with grid seedling trays. These are modular, and can offer either 5cm or 10cm cells depending on the plants.

The young farmers on the Levi’s Nek farm have planted their first vegetable seedlings on the beds they have prepared near their home. These local beds will be planted with a variety of vegetables for the young people’s daily diet. Field crops will … Read More

The young people take possession of the Levi’s Nek farm at the end of the southern winter, which is cold and dry in Lesotho (temperatures can drop to -4 degrees). So it’s time to start preparing the beds for the market garden crops that will … Read More

Levi’s Nek farm includes a house for the farm manager, with a separate office for farm administration, as well as an apartment for him to live in next to the youth dormitory.

The Levi’s Nek farm and the project it represents are beginning to be known by the surrounding community.The farm manager, with the support of the village chief, took the initiative of contacting the neighbours to present the farm and its objectives. Thanks … Read More

The young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm share their meal on the large table in the living room adjoining the two dormitories in the accommodation block built for them on the farm. Starch, vegetable sauce and chicken from the farm are on the … Read More

As they do every day, the youngsters at Levi’s Nek farm are in charge of feeding the sheep and hens.The hens’ pen will be opened first to allow them to feed themselves first, before their big neighbours the sheep are fed in turn…

Every evening, the young people at Levi’s Nek farm like to gather around the large table in the lounge at the entrance to the dormitories to play board games.

The main principle of the Levi’s Nek farm is to give the deaf and hard-of-hearing youths who run it the opportunity to be independent, to acquire as many skills as possible so that they are able to meet all their day-to-day needs … Read More

Levi’s Nek farm is nestled between several mountains. There’s nothing like climbing them to get a bird’s eye view of the farm, with its ploughed-up fields ready for planting.

The young people at Levi’s Nek have got into the habit of preparing a fire every morning and evening.They use it to keep warm in winter, but there is always a pot on the fire, either to heat water for washing (despite … Read More

The youngsters on the Levi’s Nek farm share the daily tasks involved in farm life.One of these tasks is the preparation of bread. 4 balls of pasta are kneaded by hand and placed in a large covered saucepan, where the bread rises and is then cooked over a … Read More

At the opening ceremony of the farm, we donated the uniforms made by the women of the Garden of Skills in Eswatini to the youths, who were very touched by this gesture, as they had been trained in permaculture by … Read More

In order to help the young deaf and hard-of-hearing residents of the farm integrate into the Levi’s Nek community, an inauguration ceremony was organised for the young people, members of their families (some of whom came from very modest backgrounds and lived … Read More

At the inauguration of the Levi’s Nek farm, the young people were able to see and try on the complete outfit made for each of them by the women of the Garden of Skills in Eswatini. They were extremely proud … Read More

The young people at Levi’s Nek farm have begun building a 12-metre-long shelter for the farm’s sheep and chickens. Levi’s Neck farm includes a one-hectare pasture for sheep and, in the near future, cows. This enclosed shelter is only used at night to protect the … Read More