// Youth Development Programme (YDP)

Youth Development Programme (YDP)

Young adults living on farms often have limited access to the opportunities and support they need to build a better future. The Pebbles Project Youth Development Programme (YDP) helps bridge that gap by providing guidance and information to young people aged 15 to 25 as they explore their career paths and plan for their futures. Through mentorship, information, and skills development, the programme empowers them to make informed choices to grow into confident, responsible members of their communities.

The YDP is delivered at two Youth Development Centres (YDCs); one in Stellenbosch and one at the Pebbles Hemel-en-Aarde Education Project (HEAEP) in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus. Through partnerships with local external service providers, the YDP offers a wide range of skills development, workshops, training, and work readiness support to help young adults gain independence and take charge of their futures.

For more information on the initiatives of the YDP, please click here.

Pebbles Recycled Soap Project (Diversey Soap For Hope™ Project)

One of the initiatives of the YDP is the Pebbles Recycled Soap Project (Diversey Soap For Hope™ Project) which was established in Stellenbosch in March 2024, in collaboration with Dow and Diversey – a Solenis company. Originally founded by Diversey in 2013, the Soap For Hope™ programme has expanded to over 55 countries worldwide, transforming discarded hotel soap into a valuable resource for those in need. The programme not only promotes better hygiene and sanitation but also plays a critical role in reducing infant mortality rates linked to poor sanitation.

The Pebbles Recycled Soap Project impacts local farming communities by:

Improving hygiene and sanitation to help prevent the spread of disease.
Reducing waste by preventing discarded soap from ending up in landfills.
Creating employment opportunities and income generation through the sale of soaps in farming communities.

ENTREPRENEUR PODS

Launched in July 2025 and generously donated by the Stichting Garcia Foundation, the Entrepreneur Pods are an innovative initiative of the YDP.

The three Entrepreneur Pods, located in Stellenbosch, provide young adults with practical, hands-on training and work experience in the IT, retail, and hospitality sectors. Through real-world learning opportunities, participants develop valuable technical and workplace skills, build confidence, and gain exposure to entrepreneurial thinking and business operations.

The Entrepreneur Pods serve as a bridge between education and employment, equipping young adults from farming communities with the experience, knowledge, and skills needed to pursue further training, entrepreneurship, and meaningful career opportunities.