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(An
extract from the Kaloko Trust 2006 Autumn newsletter)
Sweet
as Honey—Beekeeping in Luansobe goes from strength to
strength
Thanks in no small part to volunteer Daniella Hawkins, the
Luansobe Beekeeping Co-operative Society is now up and
running and functioning well. In fact the Executive
Committee have been busily recruiting new members from the
most recent graduates of Kaloko's Beekeeping Training
Programme, which was graciously funded by The Knightswood
Trust and individual sponsors. Getting trained as a
beekeeper can make a huge difference to a person's life in
rural Zambia. It is easy to learn, environmentally friendly
and takes up little time. It is extremely difficult for
subsistence farmers to generate any income, but keeping bees
to sell honey and wax is one answer. In 2006 Kaloko trained
24 more people as beekeepers, in the village area of Kwesha.
In 2005 the criteria for trainees was directed at Orphans
and Vulnerable Children and their Carers, and this year we
have focused on Youths, who have finished their basic
education but have not had an opportunity to progress
further or gain any other skills. Kaloko's Extension
Officers will check up on the graduates' progress throughout
the year, and they will also have the support of the new Bee
Co-op, once they have paid their membership.
Amongst
other things the Co-operative will advise the Beekeepers and
oversee collection of honey and wax and arrange a collective
market for it. Beekeepers should expect to see a significant
improvement in their livelihoods within a short space of
time. We would like to sincerely thank all those donors who
helped Daniella and the LBCS: Rowse Honey, Tropical
Agriculture Association, North South Travel Development
Trust, Alistair Berkley Charitable Trust, The Prince of
Wales Charitable Trust.
If anyone
would like to sponsor our beekeeping programme, please
contact our UK office for details. |
