Oranjehuis

De Heerlijkheid van Heule is an open ecological farm in a small village on the outskirts of Kortrijk, Belgium, where youngsters and young families in difficulties (mental, financial, relational, …) are welcome to stay for as long as they need. Through the agricultural work on the farm, the work in foodprocessing and many other activities the youngsters learn to spend the day in a meaningful way. The farm is a project of Vzw Oranjehuis, a recognized multifunctional centre (ie a centre with a diversity of working together with youngsters and families in difficulties) by the Flemish Government, and aims to • help people with relational issues (after a break-up, divorce, …) • help improve parental skills • help with after-school mentoring • offer alternative programmes for school At De Heerlijkheid everyone is welcome to come and help on the farm with agricultural activities such as growing vegetables, looking after cattle, ... All activities on the farm are biological and small-scale. Besides the farming everyday there is a variety of activities, which also include service to the neigbourhood as for instance repairing stuff for people, collecting waste in the streets around the farm etc. The function of the farm is not economical, but social. By organising all sorts of recreational, community-linked activities at the farm (eg. a Christmas market) and having a small shop with the products made at the farm, De Heerlijkheid wants to open up and integrate the farm in the local community, taking away the barrier between people who come there for a time-out and local people who join in the activities (agricultural or recreational) at the farm. Besides the social function of the farm, it is also from a cultural perspective of importance that the farm is restored and renovated, since it is a protected monument (cultural heritage).There are writings about the farm dating from the year 1111 A.C. In that way, the farm is at the heart of the village of Heule and its inhabitants.