Within the workplace, Journey’s End ensures that all workers have access to training across the company. We have employees finishing 3-year National Diplomas, accredited training courses and several completed their leadership courses last year.
In August 2020, to bring together its ongoing community projects, Journey’s End set up Journey’s End Foundation (JEF), to act against the worsening hunger and poverty due to the pandemic.
The goal was to provide 10,000 meals a week, and 520,000 within its first year. In 2021 JEF increased support and by September 2021, JEF reached the milestone of providing 1 million meals since its launch, almost doubling the initial target set out in 2020. JEF now provides over 50,000 meals a week and to date has provided over 5 million meals and continues to grow.
Equipment, infrastructure and ingredients are funded by JEF, and meals are produced and distributed free of charge to those in need via a network of six soup kitchens run by six inspirational local women.
School Hall
In 2019 we co-funded a new school hall in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, providing space for 1,500 students. We continue to work on other projects with the school. We have also funded the school’s security system (CCTV camera installation) and salaries for the 2 guards for the year.
Mila's Angels
Joyce’s Kitchen
We currently provide over 30,000 meals a week through our meal programme, and to date have provided over 5,000,000 meals to Sir Lowry’s Village.
For this and our other community initiatives, we have received the Ethical Company award at The Drinks Business Green Awards in both 2020 and 2021.
JEN Sewing
JEF is backing a project to support the women and girls who are victims of gender-based violence, provide a safe haven for them and empower a group of mentors to help others in the community, through a gender equality course and ongoing support. Women are being empowered through sewing unrecyclable plastic into marketable bags, providing them with a sustainable source of income and reducing environmental waste.
In March 2022, Journey’s End won the Country Award for ‘Gender Equality Champions’ in the Fairtrade’s International Women’s Day ‘Break the Bias’ event, highlighting the issues around gender inequality and how women in Fairtrade certified farms are coming together to tackle them. The event brought women from across Africa together to discuss their learnings and experiences, while sharing solutions and achievements. Journey’s End was recognised for the work it does on the farm and in the community to empower women, including enrolling women in financial literacy, gender equality, OH&S, Women in Leadership: Agriculture and Environmental training courses.
WSET Scholarship Programme
In September 2023, Journey’s End launched a new initiative to support young talent in the Wine Industry, sponsoring four candidates for the WSET Level 3 course and qualification.
Beat the Bully
JEF funds Youth 4 Life ‘Beat the Bully’ initiative, part of the local school curriculum, which helps eradicate bullying in township schools through education, support and programme ambassadors. Working closely with the headmaster, Mr. De Morney, JEF will continue to prioritise and support projects that will benefit the school and students most.
INZUZO
Set up in April 2024, with a vision to uplift the community of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.
Owned by the workers, and with locally raised star winemaker Kaylin Willscott at the helm, it aims to use wine in a transformative way, to raise funds required for a range of projects in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, where the team and their families have lived for many generations.