Micaia - Quinta Sol Youth Farm

Micaia has established a city farm, just 3km from the centre of Chimoio, especially for young families currently struggling to cope with no regular employment and little or no familial support. We have access to a privately owned plot of 5 hectares, and the offer to use this land for the benefit of young people. Working with Gonazalolo, the youth association that partners with Micaia in Chimoio, we have established Quinta Sol Youth Farm. 'Sol' is the Portuguese word for 'sun' and we hope that the farm will shine a light of hope on the young people.

The farm has 50 small plots available, sufficient space for a family to grow a range of horticultural crops through the year, some for consumption, others for sale. We need to raise the money to buy equipment such as wheelbarrows and hosepipes that can be shared, and 'starter kits' for each family, consisting of basic tools and a selection of seeds. We also need to pay for the wages of a Farm Manager who will also be on hand to advise the young people, and a worker/guard for the site who will also help make organic compost. The average cost per family per month is just £20.

Our target is to find 50 supporters able to contribute £20 month to give a young family real hope and purpose.

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Chimoio is a fast-growing city, but young people struggle to find work. Hundreds of young families subsist on the margins of the city, often going without meals. On 5 hectares of land just outside of the city centre, Micaia is setting up Quinta Sol (‘Sun Farm’) as a farm exclusively for young families. Fifty families each year will have a small plot and the support they need to produce food for sales and consumption. Our vision is that the experience at Quinta Sol will inspire the young people to find their own small farm outside of the city where there is still land available, and the training and support they will receive while part of Quinta Sol will enable the families to make their own farm a success.

In time, we hope to expand the range of support services available at Quinta Sol, developing links with social service agencies, health and welfare specialists, IT and business skills trainers and others who can visit Quinta Sol and run training sessions for the young people. 

For now though, our priority is to get Quinta Sol fully set up and occupied with 50 young families.

It costs just $25 (£20) per month to support each plot. The money contributes to the wage of an on-site Farm Manager (advisor), training, and basic tools (each family receives a starter pack and can access shared equipment too).

Can you sponsor one plot? All contributions are welcome. Thank you!