GOEDGEDACHT TRUST

Goedgedacht Trust is a rural poverty initiative located in the western Cape, not far from Cape Town.  

Goedgedacht assists the Coloured people of southern Africa through their many generational challenges.  The trust supports itself through sales of olives and olive oil from their farm, and through donations.  The farm incorporates a pre-school, a youth development centre, an HIV/AIDS programme and home-based care, counselling and educational programme.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Path out of Poverty Programme (POP).  To celebrate, Goedgedacht has launched a campaign to plant 10,000 olive trees, representing the chance to put 10,000 children on the path out of poverty over the next 10 years.  YOUTHCONNECTED supports Goedgedacht financially, and also participates in its youth development programmes.

In January 2007 a group of 29 YOUTHCONNECTED members visited Goedgedacht.  Seventeen of our young people participated in a wilderness leadership-training programme alongside seventeen of the youth from Goedgedacht.  The programme was facilitated by EDUCO Africa, a wilderness leadership organisation.  The opportunity for cross-cultural interaction was invaluable, and on both sides we are keen to repeat the experience.

To find out more about Goedgedacht Trust: www.goedgedachttrust.org.za/