Help women increase their income with beekeeping

Early this year, my daugher Claire passed away. She was a strong defender of the environment and support empowerment of women when ever she could.

Before she died, we discussed with her if there was something she liked to promote via her very large network. A project to develop beekeeping among women in Burkina Faso was her wish.

It empowers the women from the revenue they make by selling the honey and bees are excellent for the environment.

Céline (her sister) launched the campain Clairee's Bees on GlobalGiving.

Up to now 25 women have received 5 beehives and accessories. They also have followed a training on best practice for beekeeping.

The sale of the honey from 5 hives will bring between 75 and 100 euro per year for a woman. This is a huge amount for a woman which will help her to be more empowered.

Women use this revenu for their family: education, health expenses but also for their own use. Every family has to have some honey at home. It is used for food and medical purpose.

Thanks to all the donors to this project. 

I am sure that Claire would be proud to be at the initiative of such project. The project is not closed so do not hesitate to link it to your families and friends.

Links:

• Training on beekeeping in the village of Fon

Honey harvest has started beginning of April.

Several factors will affect this year harvest. This year due to an unusual cold period in December and January associated with a lack of rain, the fruit trees (mango and cashew nut tree) had very little flowers. This will lower the amount of honey per hive. 

In some villages there has been some rain early April and villagers think that at least cashew nut tree will blossom again.

Also in 2 villages terrorists displaced the villagers in the may last year. The villagers are slowly going back and have discovered that some of the hives have been destroyed.

All this does not affect the motivation of the women to have more hives. 

This week end we had a meeting in Bobo of all 12 villages where we are active. The beekeeping was very much discussed between the women. The ones who have hives want more and the ones without want some.

It will be difficult to satisfy them all.

Thank you for your support to this project which help directly the women in villages of Burkina Faso.