Today, etr’s “Grow It Forward” programme in Cape Town continues this tradition of impactful community engagement. The programme connects students directly with a community volunteer organization dedicated to growing and distributing healthy, locally grown produce to vulnerable children and elderly residents throughout the region.

Imagine produce harvested in the morning being placed into the hands of food-insecure families that same afternoon.

Groups on the Grow It Forward programme go beyond supporting farm productivity to deliver practical, hands-on contributions within the community. Recent groups have built scarecrows, repaired fencing and irrigation systems, constructed jungle gyms, and even designed a mobile library cabinet to provide books for young learners visiting the farm.

The six-night, full-board programme includes two to three full days of meaningful volunteer work. Students are divided into teams and given a variety of responsibilities and learning opportunities, helping them understand how the organization develops sustainable solutions for local communities. Participants also learn how the produce grown on the farm is distributed to early child development centres, food kitchens, and clinics, seeing firsthand how their efforts contribute to long-term impact.

While service remains at the heart of the experience, the itinerary also offers a rich balance of adventure and cultural immersion. Activities include sea kayaking, African drumming, surf lessons, an ascent of Table Mountain, a visit to Robben Island Prison, and an unforgettable overnight stay at a private game reserve.