beekeeping project
Beekeeping is an activity that has been practiced in Southern Haiti for generations. The local tropical vegetation including Hibiscus, Campeche, and Grapefruit gives the honey a unique flavor making it a very desirable commodity. As charcoal production continues to deforest Haiti’s countryside, projects such as these are not only helping to create jobs and provide a sustainable product, but they are also critical to the health of the environment.
The women who are trained in beekeeping by Haiti Projects decide what they want to do with the honey they produce and the byproducts of beekeeping (wax, propyls, etc.). They are able to sell their honey in the local market and reinvest in more hives, use their honey for personal consumption, make candles or soal with the max, and/or sell the wax.
The 40 women who participate in this project are broken into 10 groups based on where they reside within Fond des Blancs. Together they learn and take care of their hives together.
The Haiti Projects beekeeping project also increases the community’s environmental awareness and stewardship. It is reported that only 2% of Haiti’s forest cover is intact. Beekeeping teaches those involved that the environment is more valuable intact than when turned into charcoal briquettes.
goals
- Provide women with the necessary tools to become beekeepers
- Train the women with the knowledge they need to become successful beekeepers
- Support the women in making value added products and marketing and selling these products along with their honey
- Teach as many people about the importance of environmental stewardship along the way.
awareness
The women’s beekeeping project increases environmental awareness and stewardship. It is reported that only 2% of Haiti’s forest cover is intact. Beekeeping teaches those involved that the environment is more valuable intact than when turned into charcoal briquettes.
how women use these products
The women involved in this project ultimately decide what they want to do with the honey they produce and the by-products of beekeeping (wax, propyls, etc.). They can either:
- Sell their honey and reinvest in more hives
- Use their honey for personal consumption
- Make candles or soap with the wax
- Sell their wax
We also encourage the women to form groups to learn and take care of their hives together. They have the opportunity to determine what works best for them, their family members, neighbors, etc.
To support the women’s beekeeping project, please visit SHOP MAISON D’HAITI or visit our DONATE PAGE.
Your purchases and donations help to keep nearly 100 women of our community employed at Fair Trade wages, support our beekeeping and soccer programs, boost self-confidence and help women to become leaders of their community. The income these women bring in is critical as they are, in many cases, the sole caregivers for their children and a source of strength for their community.