Help women increase their income with beekeeping

Since our last report, the beehives which were funded by the project Claireesbees have been put in the fields. We have to wait until April 2025 to have an honey harvest.

The harvest 2024 was not good. This is mainly due to the lack of flowers in the fruit trees such has mango and locust beans trees.

There is no more honey in stock for sale since the ned of October 24.

The lack of flowers has 2 concequences: less honey and bees leaving the hives to go elsewhere with more flowers.

In order to limit this effect we are planning to start a project with sunflower. Sunflower is very good for bees, lots of pollen and nectar. 

By encouraging the beekeepers to cultivate small areas with sunflower, we expect that the swarms will stay in the hives and that there will be more honey produced. Finally we will buy the sunflowers seeds and produce oil. Everybody has something to gain: the bees, the beekeepers and our organisation.

Thank you again for all your support. There are still women asking for beehives....

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