This project will provide the tools and expertise needed to build 3 beekeeping demonstration sites and plant nurseries. As a direct result, 180 women will have access to the tools and training needed to earn much-needed income through beekeeping. Their increase in revenue and income will provide a better future for themselves and their children. The beekeeping sites will be built in areas affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Haiti remains the poorest country in the Americas. In the area where we work, 30% of farmers earn less than $1.90 a day, and 60% earn less than $3.70 a day. A third of farmers live on less than a third of an acre. Women in Haiti are even more vulnerable. They have less access to the labor market, are 20% more likely to be unemployed, and face greater economic insecurity. Although beekeeping has the potential to be a very lucrative business, women have largely been excluded from the industry.
Prosperity Catalyst will provide the tools and training needed for 180 women to practice beekeeping independently. Within 18 months, a well-managed hive can generate $240 in profit, which is enough to purchase two additional hives and triple their profits. Three operational hives allows the most vulnerable farmers to double their income.
Income in the hands of women leads to improvements for the entire family. According to the World Bank, 90% of women's earnings are invested into their families. We have found evidence of this in our own evaluation of our beekeeping program. From one year to the next, the percentage of women reporting that they have one or more children out of school dropped from 23% to 0%. Investments in women translate to progress in families and entire communities, thus allowing the next generation to thrive.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
