FarmVille Barouk (part of cezar’s projects), is an innovative project oriented towards promoting sustainable rural development and combining between agriculture and tourism. It consists of guesthouses and a small organic farm that has welcomed from 2 years and a half to date around 12,000 visitors from 69 countries worldwide. The project not only provides guests with an authentic experience and the chance to explore the beauty and culture of Shouf region through green packages, but also activates the participation of local community, and builds effective partnerships with schools, universities and NGOs through awareness workshops and activities to ensure the involvement of youth and students in rural development.
Packages’ Objectives:
- Engagement: Active participation of students, thus developing their abilities and skills (decision making, teamwork, problem-solving…)
- Education: Deeper understanding of environmental issues
Outing/ package 1: FOOD WASTE
Agriculture
- Learning the techniques of agriculture
- Avoiding the use of chemicals
- Learning about wild herbs
Food heritage and Cooking
- Buying behavior (Local shops)
- Ways of reducing cost, energy, water, and time
- Compost
Outing/ package 2: WATER AWARENESS
Visit to a nearby water source:
- Activities about water pollution
- Filtration
- Water consumption and preservation
- Pottery making
Outing/ package 3: BIODIVERSITY
- Hiking in the Shouf Biosphere Reserve
- Fauna
- Flora
- Bee life
- Littering
- 3R: - Reduce (0 waste)
- Reuse (up cycling)
- Recycle
- Environmental firewood
- Plastic bags and straws: side effects
