Emergency Response to the Ecuador Earthquake

IsraAID Ecuador has wonderful news - 'Working Queens', the women's association formed through IsraAID’s HoneyAID Women's Empowerment program, have graduated from the intensive beekeeping course!

An Israeli team of apiculture (beekeeping) experts came to Ecuador to train the women on the theoretical and practical aspects of apiculture, the management of an agricultural cooperative, and at the end of the course have handed over 32 beehives to the women’s association of Menos Pensado, Manabí.

Over the course of only 3 months and with the support of the HoneyAID program of IsraAID, the 'Working Queens' have achieved a lot;

1. The women have established the first women’s beekeeping association in the Ecuador, 
2. They became professional beekeepers, and are the proud owner's of 32 beehives.

The women are true pioneers and through their courage and motivation, they hope to inspire other women.

Elena, one of the ‘Working Queens’, participating in the program said: "The (HoneyAID) program gives me a lot of confidence, I am very happy that I get a chance to study and learn something so interesting. We came to class feeling so excited to learn something new everyday and have therefore also grown as a group. We realize more and more that by working together, we can achieve a lot more, so this makes us feel strong and confident."

Tim Cummings, IsraAID's beekeeping expert and facilitator of the course, said: "It's incredible to see the progress the women are making - it's fantastic to see how they their minds became more and more like beekeepers every day." 

Through its HoneyAID program, IsraAID aims to strengthen the economic, social, and political empowerment of women in affected rural communities in Manabí. The program strives to increase the general well being of the women and their families and strengthen the resilience of the communities by giving the women the tools to rebuild their livelihoods and provide their families with a protective environment, enabling them to bring qualitative changes to their status and lives.

IsraAID’s teams also implemented PlayAID and build a playground on the school premises for the children of Menos Pensado. PlayAID focuses on increasing their positive self-image, improving their physical health, acquiring social skills, and improving their equilibrium skills.

With your contribution, we will be able to expand the program in other communities throughout Manabí!

Thank you for all your continued support!