A visit from a local college

Mar 05, 2026

Last week we had the pleasure of welcoming seven students from a local college to Gobelo. Their visit was meant to give them a chance to experience the many aspects of Gobelo, not just the farm.

Many people who hear about Gobelo immediately think of vegetables, animals and the work happening in the garden beds. That is certainly part of it, but Gobelo is also where many other different pieces connect. Tourism, food, community projects, and small enterprise are all a big part of what happens here. The visit gave the students a chance to see how those pieces come together in practice.

The group started with a short tour of the farm. They walked through the gardens and learned about the food we grow. They also heard about the less obvious parts of running a small farm, like how we enrich our own soil through composting, or how Gobelo produces spice mixes. During their time with us, we also shared so much of what we have learned and they were able to better understand the many ways we have been experimenting with plant growing conditions. Farming in this environment usually requires creativity and patience and that was part of the discussion as well.

But the visit did not stop at the farm. The students also spent time visiting and getting a behind the scenes look at our Gobelo restaurant in Hwange (Gobelo Mtoa). This brought the farm to table concept to life for them, as they were able to see it in action. Ingredients that begin in the garden eventually make their way into the kitchen. They learned about how the restaurant operates, how meals are prepared and served, and even some of the small details such as how tables are set and how a dining space is organised for guests.

Along the way, the conversation also touched on some of the other work connected to Gobelo. The students heard about our community and cultural tours, the recycling work that supports local employment, and the Sage Club program that focuses on practical leadership and learning for young people. While these projects may look different on the surface, they are all connected by the same idea - and that is, finding practical ways for communities to see possibilities and work with what they already have, while creating opportunities for learning, enterprise and local growth.

One of the main messages shared during the visit was that opportunities can exist right where you are. In many places, especially in rural areas where youth tend to feel limited, knowledge and resourcefulness can open other paths. A small garden, a local ingredient, a useful skill, or a shared community effort can all grow into something useful and sustainable over time. And.. sometimes, all they need is a little encouragement and inspiration to help them better understand what they are capable of.

At Gobelo, we always look forward to visits like these. They are so important because they allow young people to see these possibilities up close. When knowledge is shared, it travels with the people who learned it and often spreads further than expected. For us at Gobelo, opening our doors to students is one small way of continuing that cycle of learning.

Until next time,
    the Gobelo team