• Responsible Consumption And Production

Desert Restoration Helper

location
1 - 7 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Desert Restoration: Participate in projects aimed at rehabilitating desert lands, including soil regeneration, planting native and drought-resistant species.
  • Sustainable Agriculture: Work on our organic and regenerative farms, learning methods to grow crops in arid conditions, improve soil health, and create resilient agricultural systems.
  • Community Outreach and Education: Engage with local Bedouin communities, assist in educational programs, and help raise awareness about sustainable living practices.
  • Environmental Research: Conduct soil and water testing, monitor plant health, and contribute to ongoing research projects at our on-site laboratory.

Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Groups
50+

About the program

Join us at Habiba Community to transform desert lands through sustainable farming and community outreach. Gain hands-on experience and make a difference!

About the Program

We warmly invite you to join the "Restoring Nuweiba Desert" volunteer program at Habiba Community in Nuweiba, South Sinai, Egypt. This program offers a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community development in one of ...

About the program

About the Program

We warmly invite you to join the "Restoring Nuweiba Desert" volunteer program at Habiba Community in Nuweiba, South Sinai, Egypt. This program offers a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on environmental restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community development in one of the world's most stunning desert landscapes.

Habiba Community is dedicated to transforming the arid lands of Nuweiba into thriving ecosystems through innovative practices and the collective efforts of passionate volunteers, students, and local residents. This program is designed to equip you with practical skills and knowledge while contributing to meaningful change in the region.

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.

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.

Living and Learning at Habiba Community

Nestled between the majestic Sinai Mountains and the pristine Red Sea, Habiba Community offers a serene and inspiring environment for learning and growth. Volunteers will have access to comfortable accommodations, communal spaces for activities and gatherings, and the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region.

Program Benefits

  • Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills in desert restoration, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.
  • Cultural Exchange: Immerse yourself in the local culture, interact with Bedouin communities, and learn about their traditional knowledge and practices.
  • Personal Growth: Develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues, enhance your problem-solving skills, and make lasting connections with like-minded individuals.
  • Impactful Contribution: Be part of a transformative project that aims to restore the desert ecosystem and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

What to Bring

  • Sun protection: Lightweight clothing to cover your head, neck, and shoulders
  • Mosquito repellant
  • Sturdy shoes and work gloves
  • Beach gear
  • A sense of adventure!

Additional Tips

  • Quality shoes and cargo gear are best purchased before arrival.
  • Shops around Dahab and Nuweiba offer most items listed.
  • Winter can be chilly, especially in January and February, so pack warm clothes for the evenings.

Typical day

Your day at the Habiba Community will be filled with engaging activities and meaningful interactions with both the land and the local community. The work schedule varies by season, with autumn (starting mid-September) being the most critical time. Here's a glimpse into a typical day:

Morning ...

Typical day

Your day at the Habiba Community will be filled with engaging activities and meaningful interactions with both the land and the local community. The work schedule varies by season, with autumn (starting mid-September) being the most critical time. Here's a glimpse into a typical day:

Morning Activities

  • 7:00 am - 10:00 am: Begin your day early with hands-on activities such as planting native and drought-resistant species, tending to the organic farm, and assisting in soil regeneration projects.

  • 10:30 am - 11:30 am: Enjoy a communal breakfast with fellow volunteers, sharing experiences and planning the day's activities.

Midday Break

  • 11:30 am - 3:00 pm: This is your free time to relax, explore the beautiful surroundings, or interact with local Bedouin community members. You might also take this time to document your observations and research findings.

Afternoon Activities

  • 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Resume your activities, which might include maintaining irrigation systems, composting, managing the plant nursery, or conducting environmental research in our on-site lab.

Evening Activities

  • 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Enjoy some leisure time by the beach, participate in community outreach programs, or attend workshops on sustainable living practices.

  • 7:00 pm: Dinner is served. Enjoy home-style, vegetarian meals prepared with fresh produce from our organic farm.

Weekly Schedule

  • Volunteers work six days a week, with the seventh day reserved for excursions or relaxation at the beach lodge. Activities on this day might include guided tours, hikes in the Sinai Mountains, or simply unwinding by the Red Sea.

Key Activities

  • Soil Regeneration: Learn and apply techniques to improve soil fertility and structure, such as composting, mulching, and using organic amendments.

  • Planting and Irrigation: Assist in planting native species, setting up efficient irrigation systems, and ensuring proper maintenance to maximize plant survival and growth.

  • Water Conservation: Implement and promote water-saving practices, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and drip irrigation systems.
  • Community Engagement: Work with local schools and community groups to share knowledge about sustainable practices, host workshops, and organize outreach events.

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 ...

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.

Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

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.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (basic level)

Criminal Background Check

required

Required Documents

CV

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Other Skills

Knowledge of: farming, carpentering, composting, bio-dynamics, and organic husbandry.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 07:00 - 17:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Habiba Community

  • Accommodation in a cozy wooden cabin at Habiba Beach Lodge offers stunning views overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba..

  • 2 meals per day plus herbal tea 3 times a day.

  • Wifi access at the Lodge.

Accommodation

Each room is equipped with beds, sheets, towels, and fan. 

Bathrooms are shared. 

Habiba Beach Lodge is 10 minute's walk from the farm and the markets of Nuweiba. 

Food & Beverages

The meals are vegetarian and many components are from the organic farm. We also provide bottled water that you can refill from the water dispenser, hot drinks like tea or Nescafe (3 times per day), and fruits (served 3 times per week).

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.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Airport Pickup at Sharm El Sheikh Airport

An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Sharm El Sheikh Airport (SSH) in Sharm el Sheikh. We assist you to find cheap flights to Egypt. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

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. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Egypt you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Egypt. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

We accept volunteers throughout the year, you can join when is most suitable for you!
Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

1 week (min. stay) 378€
2 weeks 746€
4 weeks 1,451€
6 weeks 2,088€
7 weeks (max. stay) 2,401€
Average fees 360€/week

Program fees

360€ per week 1 - 7 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES

Duration

1 - 7 weeks

Deposit

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.

Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Habiba Community during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.

Meet your organization

Habiba Community

Brilliant 4.7 rating (14 reviews)

Agency - founded in 2013

Verified by Volunteer World

  Very high response rate

Coordinated by

Maged

Spoken languages: Italian, Arabic, English

About the project

Give back to the community while volunteering at our organic farm or our learning center and help us to build a strong and heallthy future!

Meet your organization

The Habiba Organization which includes a communal organic farm and our learning center is dedicated to building a strong, healthy future for the entire South Sinai Community.

The Habiba Organization is based in Nuweiba, South Sinai, Egypt. Nuweiba is a previously prosperous tourist destination, however we are now aiming to redirect the communities interest and future towards organic agriculture and providing the community with after school classes. The community children do not have resources as children in big cities so we decided to start this after school learning center to give them a chance to express themselves and find out their talents and see the world in a different way , open their eyes and find best ways to manage their very limited resources and protect the environment.

The goals of the Habiba Organization are to simulaneously provide opportunities for the next generation, as well as support the community in achieving a sustainable income from environmentally friendly farming practices.

14 reviews · rating4.7

Luana Maria O'Connell rating4.6

2024 at Regenerative Agriculture in Sinai Desert

I spent 2 weeks at Habiba Farm. It was early summer, which means that the weather was hot and dry and not so many plants were growing. However, it was very exciting to see how the farm deals with the climate and the challenges and still manages to create a relatively green island in the middle of ...
Gustavo Rommel Nunes rating4.6

2024 at Women Empowerment Supporter - Bedouin Community

Habiba is a beautiful site facing the Aqaba gulf in the sinai peninsula in Egypt. The community performs multidisciplinary efforts supporting the entire region in areas such as organic and regenerative farming, academic research and more. It is a very safe and welcoming environment, and the team is ...
This program is the best opportunity to interact with the locals. It is a one life experience that helps you to understand and to grow. Habiba is a special place with a beautiful farm in which you can feel the passion of the people working in it. This program gives the possibility to learn a lot ...
There's no word to describe the experience that lived How can I describe something I can't even understand When I left Nuweiba, I left my heart, my soul, my mind and everything I am In Nuweiba, this is real life, simple, that makes you feel that All Troubles are insignificant You don't care of ...
It was my first time to see something like that before but when I went I feel so proud that we have these things here in Egypt. Keep going on! ...
Habiba Coomunity by Mr. Maged does a great job for the local population in Sinai, the Bedouins. The place is also a great opportunity for people who are interested in organic farming/agriculture. ..

Location

Africa > Northern Africa > Egypt > Nuweiba

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Contact Maged
  Very high response rate
Italian, Arabic, English

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