Farming our Future’ educational farm, Lesotho

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 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.

To enrich the soil in the various plots cultivated on the farm, the young residents of Levi’s Nek went to collect manure from a nearby sheep and cow farm. At night, the animals are kept in a stone pen close … Read More

A heavy storm tore off the roof of the animal shelter at Levi’s Neck Farm. The roof structure has therefore been redesigned to better withstand the next gusts of wind, frequent in the region. The Ivory Foundation immediately sent the … Read More

The young deaf and hard-of-hearing people of Levi’s Nek have a ritual: to gather around the fire every evening, a convivial moment to warm up in winter, and even sometimes throughout the year, as the nights in this mountainous region … Read More

As winter draws to a close, it’s time for the youngsters to shear the sheep! It’s a great opportunity to try out the new professional shears they now have for this task. The wool collected will be resold and will … Read More

The young residents of the farm of Levi’s Nek have started preparing their maize seedlings. To do this, they make a mixture of manure previously sieved on a perforated sheet, to which they incorporate biochar, produced with the support of The Ivory Foundation in Eswatini, as well … 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 young residents of Levi’s Nek had the opportunity to try their hand at growing cowpeas, a bean that is highly prized in West Africa for its leaves and seeds. Dried beans are widely consumed in southern Africa, so the … 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

After installing the wooden poles, metal rods and ropes, the young people proceeded to cover the greenhouses with a sun-resistant textile, providing protection against the scorching rays of the sun and heavy seasonal rains in southern Africa. This textile was … Read More

After setting the vertical poles in cement, the young residents of Levi’s Nek Farm position the horizontal metal rods and wires that will support the fabric covering the greenhouse.

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

After planting maize on one of their plots, the young people at Levi’s Nek farm are now sowing climbing bean seeds at the foot of the maize plants that have already grown. They use the Milpa technique, which involves combining … 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

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

With the dormitory now complete, three young people from St Monica said farewell to the farm that had been their home for 3 years and moved to their new home in Levi’s Nek. Three young people stayed on to look … Read More

A local vegetable garden is planned to provide a variety of vegetables and herbs for their personal use.Until the garden is up and running, the vegetables have been bought from Levi’s Nek stores….

The Ivory Foundation has planned to install the Levi’s Nek farm manager, Leepa Mosehle, who has been accompanying young deaf and hard-of-hearing people in this educational farm project since 2015.  This building will include both his home and an office … Read More

Every day, the young beneficiaries of Farming our future take turns on the site to see the work in progress. They also help to transport materials to the site, which is difficult for lorries to access

The main buildings are now in place on the constructible part of the farm. The main building is typical of Lesotho, with its breezeblocks joined like stone and a worked cornice that surrounds and hides the corrugated iron roof. The … Read More

The exterior finishes was completed and the roof has been laid. The workers are finalising the interior fittings.  In the living room, the tiles have been laid and a kitchen has been made to measure by a joiner.

As with the Jardin des Savoir-Faire in Eswatini, The Ivory Foundation called on Wendy Lane, a designer of wooden chalets, to create a double accommodation unit for its volunteers. The advantage of these structures, pre-assembled in a workshop in South … Read More

The Ivory Foundation commissioned a local contractor to drill and install a pump to supply water to the Levi’s Nek farm. The presence of water on the site was essential to launch the construction of the farm buildings (cement production) … Read More

As soon as the purchase of the land by Farming Our Future was signed, young deaf and hard-of-hearing people began to lay fencing around the plots to secure the site. This will also allow the animals to arrive quickly, as … Read More

A building of more than 100m2 comprising two six-place dormitories, two bathrooms, a lounge and a kitchen was built using breeze-block. Young deaf and hard-of-hearing people played an active part in getting the project off the ground.

In order to create the Levi’s Nek farm, Farming our future had to acquire several plots of land of different sizes to create a total area of 3 hectares. One plot is dedicated to market gardening and will also be … Read More

Deaf and hard-of-hearing youngsters from St Monica’s farm water the keyhole. The Keyhole is a traditional garden from Lesotho. So it was very important that the garden at St Monica’s should also have this high circular vegetable garden. The perimeter … Read More

It’s almost the end of winter… The garden is still rich of its last winter vegetables, and the young people of the farm have prepared the beds to welcome the spring seedlings. The garden team proudly presents its work to … Read More

The flock, composed of 10 sheep when the farm was launched (3 males and 7 females), has increased by 50% in 2 years thanks to three new births this year.   The sheep bring an additional income for the farm with … Read More

The vegetable garden at St. Monica’s Farm was built on the principle of permaculture, with 80 cm wide raised beds on which the young deaf and hard-of-hearing gardeners grow vegetables quite densely, combining varieties that are compatible in terms of … Read More

With winter approaching in southern Africa, the young people at St Monica’s Farm prepared their crop beds with seasonal varieties. So they planted spinach, cabbage and tomatoes which will be planted in the garden during the dry season in winter.

The young people of St Monica’s farm have started to use the incubator financed by The Ivory Foundation. Before any use, the equipment and eggs must be disinfected to prevent disease transmission. The eggs are then placed slightly apart on … Read More

The flock of chickens at St Monica’s Farm has grown significantly since the garden started. There are now about 50 hens of different species with varied and colourful plumage. These hens are raised for egg and meat production, providing an … Read More

The aim of St Monica’s farm is to develop a self-sufficient economic model. Among the solutions to achieve this, the young farmers have developed a fodder production plot to reduce the cost of buying fodder. Every day, the young people … Read More

The Keyhole is a traditional garden from Lesotho. It was therefore logical that the garden of St Monica, located in Leribe (Lesotho) should also host one. This vegetable garden is made up on its periphery of stones found on the … Read More

Spring is the ideal time for seedlings production in Southern Africa. The upcoming wet season combines warmth and regular rainfall, which is ideal for plant development. Thus, the young farmers at St Monica’s Farm in Lesotho have prepared seedlings of … Read More

A plant shredder was purchased with the support of The Ivory Foundation. This tool reduces corn crop residues by fine chips, which thus crushed can be ingested more easily by animals and be consumed in association with forage. The deaf … Read More

The numbers in the chicken coop at St Monica’s farm are steadily increasing. There are now 35 hens of different breeds, all indigenous who produce enough to feed the young on the farm by creating an income-generating activity. Soon, an … Read More

Young people from the educational farm of St Monica have harvested an important amount of potatoes and marrows. They can reach amazing sizes : it allows for the preparation of many meals for the young gardeners! These vegetables, especially potatoes, … Read More

For more than a year now, young deaf and hard of hearing people supported by The Ivory Foundation have been running St Monica’s educational farm in Leribe, Lesotho. The farm is fortunate to be located close to a borehole, and … Read More

After having supported the St Paul School for the Deaf for 3 years by financing a micro educational farm that can accommodate 5 to 8 students to learn farm management (agroecology, cereal cultivation, animal husbandry), The Ivory Foundation has imagined … Read More

The 6 young deaf and hard of hearing people manage the Saint Monica Educational Farm in Leribe, Lesotho, funded by The Ivory Foundation in 2019. Within a year they have structured a wasteland into a fertile and productive plot of … Read More

The farm’s 20 native hens produce a good quantity of eggs, enough to provide a food supplement for the youngs. Associating small-scale animal husbandry with gardening is important for the economic balance of the St Monica educational farm in Leribe. … Read More

This year at the farm of St Monica, a damaged building has been rehabilitated in order to welcome the sheep in good conditions and to be able to store the fodder. Moreover, this building also aims to isolate the females … Read More

Last episode of the mini-serie about the life in St Monica farm. The young people invest time and energy to develop their vegetable gardens, while at the same time involving the principles of agroecology and permaculture. In this film, young … Read More

Since 2017, The Ivory Foundation has been supporting deaf and hard of hearing youth in Lesotho. 5 students trained in agriculture have been placed on a new semi autonomous farm. Young people put their knowledge of agroecology into practice. This … Read More

The young people of Saint Monica have had a new idea to create new crop boards! Putting their knowledge of mound creation into practice, they rethought the concept to make it a creative and original work. This initiative will be … Read More

New step toward autonomy: with the help of the crop manager, young people put their knowledge of agroecology into practice. This film shows the setting up of a Milpa plot, with the principle of the 3 sisters: Corn, climbing beans … Read More

Lesotho is a large producer of wool. Thus, many shepherds live in the mountains with their animals for part of the year, as shearing sheep is a traditional activity in this mountainous country. It was therefore important to valorize it … Read More

After a good preparation of the soils at the end of winter, and early sowings, the plantations grow well in St Monica, thanks to the work of the 5 young deaf and hard of hearing people and the head of … Read More

5 students trained in agriculture have been placed on a new semi autonomous farm. 10 sheep and 2 goats were purchased by The Ivory Foundation to provide a significant resource for the St Monica farm. The sale of wool and … Read More

The 5 deaf and hearing-impaired youngsters of Saint Monica planted fruit trees between the crop plots! Following the principle of agroforestry, the main function of these trees is to provide shade for the crops. One of the other functions they … Read More

The youngs running the St Monica’s farm have maintained the cornfields today. Corn is an important crop in Southern Africa because it is used as semolina for daily food. We try to combine corn with cucurbits and beans, because corn … Read More

After the bread making, the small breeding, including the hens, is an important element in order to achieve food autonomy. This activity also allows them to make a profit by selling surplus eggs at the market. In this video, the … Read More

The young people from the working farm met at the St Paul’s School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Leribe more than 5 years ago. They worked for 2 years on the school’s educational farm before sharing the … Read More

St Monica is seen as a farm of transition to autonomy. The aim is for young people to be able to build a professional project together which will then enable them to blossom while overcoming their handicap. In this sense, … Read More

Now that the corn has grown and the squash is growing, it’s time to plant beans to their feet ! The principle of milpa is the optimization of space, by the association of three plants, which provide mutual benefits to … Read More

On Saint Monica’s farm, in order to diversify resources for young people, a small livestock farming activity has also been set up. Herewith, around twenty hens raised in open air and ten sheep were acquired thanks to the support of … Read More

The Mandala of St Monica, realized in November 2019, is empty!The fertile soil of its petals allowed the vegetables to grow quickly, and be harvested early February. Again, raised bed cultivation has shown its effectiveness, especially at the end of … Read More

The farm of St Monica has a limited cultivable surface. They have to optimize space in the farm to obtain a sufficient crop yield and a mid-term objectif of financial autonomy. To achieved this, a long slope covered in grass … Read More

The young people of St Monica’s farm find themselves for the first time independent, in charge of preparing their meals. The Ivory Foundation first covers their needs in basic products (oil, cornmeal, lentils and vegetables not available in the garden … Read More

The garden of St Monica has been structured with the installation of several tomato boards. Linear structures made with branches support the tomato plant to prevent them from touching the ground and catching diseases.

In order to start vegetable production on St Monica farm, in the middle of the dry season, we chose to start cultivation on a Mandala. It is a garden in the shape of a flower, the petals of which are … Read More

This is a great day for the 5 deaf and hearing-impaired young people trained at St Paul’s school, who after several weeks of work, can finally take over St Monica’s farm, with the support of The Ivory Foundation. Leepa Mosehle, … Read More