Support Sustainable Livelihoods in Rural Guatemala

The last few months have been difficult for the beekeepers. In the last three months we’ve lost six hives. Three hives hive were left empty, after the bees emigrated. One hive died, and another two were destroyed in an earthquake that hit the region. This has reduced the apiary from 22 hives to 16.

The rainy season, which just ended, always brings a unique set of beekeeping challenges. The heavy rain requires a lot of upkeep to make sure that the hives remain stable and mold free.

Because temperatures in the highlands have been colder than usual, the entrances to the hives were reduced to limit the amount of cold air that enters.. This can put the hives at risk of emigration or death, and the beekeepers are responding to the threat by increasing feeding and maintenance of the hives -- in the hopes of reducing the impact.

With your Global Giving Support, we have purchased six new hives to replace the loss over the last few months. They will be installed next week to ensure that a downpour doesn’t undo our recovery efforts. We hope that these natural obstacles do not hinder the honey production.

During times of trial, like these, we are reminded of how much your generosity supports our efforts to make beekeeping an effective, sustainable way to improve the economic situations of rural coffee farmers. The farmers are determined to make the apiary thrive, and with your help -- we believe it will.