Sustainable Development Changemaker
Coordinator | Maged
Coordinator | Maged
Book with Flex Option!
Choose new departure dates or change to a different volunteer program at no extra costs.
Highlights
Experience promoting sustainable desert agriculture.
Work as changemaker toward a sustainable development for the Bedouin community.
Work to preserve Nuweiba desertic and marine ecosystem.
Taste our organic vegetables and fruits directly from the farm.
Experience work, adventure and relax in an unique location in the Red Sea.
Discover Bedouin lifestyles, new desert sustainable agriculture techniques, give back to the community & exchange cultural experiences. Make a lasting impact in Nuweiba.
This volunteer program is especially suitable for:
Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+
About Habiba Community
Habiba Community is committed to transforming the lives of local Bedouin communities through promoting sustainable agriculture and permaculture. We do this by empowering the Bedouin we employ to experiment with organic farming, helping them to not only grow their own produce but to conduct their own research into how best to make use of the resources around us. Our goal at the farm is to help the local Bedouin learn and create their own farms, thus creating employment, food security, and a sense of commitment to the future of our shared environment. Habiba aspires to set a successful example to be followed by locals across the Sinai Peninsula.
Habiba Community is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai with the Sinai Mountains on one side and sandy beaches with turquoise waters on the other. The farm is based on a plot of what was an empty desert and has transformed it into a production hub of locally grown organic vegetables, as well as a center for research in sustainable desert agriculture. We are a center for research and regularly collaborate and conduct knowledge transfer with the Desert Research Center as well as agricultural research institutes around the world. For this reason, Habiba welcomes volunteers, students conducting research, and experts.
Habiba also aims to promote the importance of conservation. We teach the local communities the benefits of organic farming practices, showing that it not only benefits the individuals who consume the product, but also the environment as a whole.
Volunteering at the Organic Farm
The goal of this project is to help Bedouin organic farmers with their research and experimental farming projects. You will help them discover new desert agricultural techniques and exchange cultural experiences.
This is a unique opportunity for you to work with the Bedouin side-by-side, for you to learn to see the world through their eyes and to give them a chance to do the same with you.
By participating in this project you will be empowering local Bedouin to create their own food security in an uncertain world, as well as to teach them not only to farm in the desert but to conduct desert farming research to continue innovating on their own. Our metric for success is when one of our farmers can leave to create their own experimental farm elsewhere in the desert.
Training
You will spend a few days at Habiba Organic Farm learning desert farming, water management techniques, and waste management in order to be able to train the Bedouin community.
What should I bring?
Sun protection including lightweight clothing to cover your head, neck, and shoulders, mosquito repellant, sturdy shoes, work gloves, beach gear, and a sense of adventure. Most of the above is available in shops around Dahab and Nuweiba, but it is preferable to buy your quality shoes and cargo gear before arriving. Winter gets chilly, even in Sinai, especially in January and February, so bring warm clothes for the evenings.
Typical day
You will interact with community members at the Habiba Organic Farm. You will spend time doing organic farming, helping with projects run by local community members, and generally interacting with them. Work varies by season and the most critical time is autumn, starting mid-September.
A general day will start by going to the farm around daybreak. Work will begin at dawn and will consist of:
- Helping local farmers with their agricultural research projects such as planting, cleaning, harvesting, and other general research farm work.
- Assisting in construction and maintenance of farm buildings and infrastructure.
- Plant maintenance, composting, sifting soil for the Sinai Palm Foundation.
- Interacting with members of the community and participating in knowledge exchange.
Generally, you will return to the Habiba Village around 11 am for a late breakfast, followed by a couple of hours more work either at the farm or at the village.
Volunteers work six days a week, with excursions typically planned on the seventh day unless, of course, you prefer to stay and relax at the lodge.
After work, it is free time for you to relax at the beachside area. Dinner is served at 7 pm and usually is vegetarian, home-style food made entirely with produce from the organic farm.
Free-time activities
The recreational activities available in the Red Sea and the neighboring mountains and valleys are endless and breathtaking.
The coast is dotted with popular snorkeling and diving sites, and nearby cities of Taba and Dahab offer many tourist activities.
Weekly excursions to Dahab offer an opportunity to enjoy the "city" scene and easy transportation is available to Sharm el-sheik, St. Catherine, Cairo, and many other locations in Egypt.
There are numerous dive centers around, which can both train you in diving and rent you gear. You can also arrange camel rides as day trips or multi-day excursions. There are also yoga, meditation, and craft centers around Nuweiba, boat trips, and safaris.
Please communicate with your host if something you’re interested in will take more than a few hours and will interrupt with your volunteer work.
Please note that all the free time activities are not included in the volunteer fee.
Swimming
Sightseeing
Diving/
Snorkling
Snorkling
Climbing
Hiking
Museum/
Opera
Opera
Riding
Yoga/
Meditation
Meditation
Requirements
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.
You need to speak English (basic level)
CV and Presentation letter
No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.
Knowledge of: farming, carpentering, composting, bio-dynamics, organic husbandry.
Your helping hand will be required on
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
from
06:30
- 12:30
What's Included
Accommodation
2 meals per day
Wifi
Basic Sanitation
We can arrange taxi pickup from Sharm el Sheikh Airport, taxi fees are 1200 EGP
We provide volunteers with accommodation at the guest house in the farm or at Habiba Beach lodge on the sandy beaches of Nuweiba. Each room is equipped with beds, sheets, and views of the Aqaba Gulf. Habiba Beach Lodge is 10 minutes walking from the farm and the markets of Nuweiba.
The meals are vegetarian and many components are from the organic farm. We also provide bottled water, hot drinks like tea or Nescafe (3 times per day) and fruits (served 3 times per week) .
You can also get fresh fish, chicken or meat for an additional fee.
The chef at Habiba Beach Lodge can satisfy all of your culinary wishes, but any special requirements should be communicated prior to arrival. Traditional Egyptian cuisine is our standard. Volunteers are free to cook their own meals with the ingredients provided by the Lodge or any other ingredients they wish to buy from local markets. The meals provided are mainly vegetarian to rhyme with our concept of farming and self sustainability. Our organic veggies from the farm make superb salads, soups and sauces.
Limited access at the project site
Visa, flights, travel insurance or vaccinations are NOT included in the program fees.
The nearest airport is Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) in Sharm el Sheikh. We assist you to find cheap flights to Egypt.
Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Egypt provides security and is a plus to have.
If you are intending to volunteer in Egypt you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Egypt.
Dates & Fees
NO CREDIT CARD FEES
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2 - 12 weeks
Program fees
2 weeks
(min. stay)
$800
4 weeks
$1,400
12 weeks
(max. stay)
$4,000
Average fees
$367
/week
Please note that the above shown program fees are estimated.
Habiba
will let you know about the final price during your application process.
The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.
Your final payment will be agreed with Habiba during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.
Why book with Volunteer World
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application process
- including all necessary payments. Planning your next meaningful trip with Volunteer World gives you free access to our:
Quality Assurance
High ethical standards & transparent social impact
Flex Option
Change your reservation at no extra costs
Refund Guarantee
We refund your fees if Habiba cancels your trip
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Our services are free of charge!
All program fees are charged directly by Habiba.
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Sustainable Development Changemaker
Discover Bedouin lifestyles, new desert sustainable agriculture techniques, give back to the community & exchange cultural experiences. Make a lasting impact in Nuweiba.
$367/week
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