Sustainable Farm | Different.org

Legae La Nnete offers sanctuary for 27 men who've found themselves destitute and recovering from addiction. The funding for this project will be used to install a poultry unit which will provide work for the men as well as provide income for Legae by providing the neighbouring communities with chickens. The farm is already successfully producing organic vegetables but requires additional income to remain open.

About Legae La Nnete

Legae is a temporary home for destitute people providing them with hope, love, spiritual guidance and other support. They have been running since 2010 and have been successful in achieving their goals which are:

To develop a safe haven for all those who have suffered a set-back in their lives as a result of substance abuse, grief and loss, abandonment, financial loss, etc.
To provide a ‘homely’ environment for those who’ve suffered set-backs and encourage re-integration through a structured spiritual and development programme
To provide long-term care facilities in a ‘homely’ environment for children who are abandoned
To train and equip people with skills which will enable them to be successfully reintegrated into society and be able to forge successful and fulfilling lives.

The men are encouraged to undergo a 1-2 year program which involves the following:

The Legae System

A structured approach is created for the men to slowly integrate themselves back into ‘normal’ life and while not obligated to, they are encouraged to follow this system

First 3 Months

Men are encouraged to focus purely on themselves. They are not encouraged to seek employment within this period which is dedicated to spiritual and self-restoration. They receive weekly counselling from the Social worker together with weekly group sessions, and working through the 12 Step Celebrate Recovery Program. They also participate and help with the sustainability of the farm i.e. vegetable farming, general maintenance of the farm.

After 3 months

The men are encouraged to begin to seek and consider employment options and are assisted where possible. They are advised to stay on the farm for at least a year after employment and are assisted with how to manage their finances. For example, they are encouraged to pay a percentage of their income as rental on the property. They are also encouraged to tithe on their income, and they are re-taught how to save in order to purchase basic effects to set up home such as their own bed, a fridge, stove, crockery, cutlery etc., and generally given basic skills to equip them to re-find themselves within ‘normal’ life. They are also encouraged to continue to participate in the programmes, attend church, and attend courses as they normally would if living on the outside.

After 1 year

After one year of employment, the men are on their way out and encouraged to seek alternative accommodation, reconnect with family etc. as an environment of this nature can also create complacency with where they are and some may develop the ‘institutionalisation’ mentality. This is not encouraged as this does not assist them with their personal growth in any way. However, where the leadership feels that an individual is not ready to integrate, they may be encouraged to stay a bit longer and provided with the necessary tools to help them integrate. Basically, they are placed on ‘notice’ in the last year are they are not encouraged to stay longer than two years.

Creating a Sustainable Future

by Legae La Nnete

Muldersdrift, Johannesburg Social Need Health Care Poverty Alleviation

Project activity

Funded to date:

R 55,128

Funding goal: R 55,128

NGO: Legae La Nnete

Start: 13th April 2016

End: 30th August 2016

Field agent: Gordan Dewar
info@legaelannete.co.za