Our Work | BFD Ethiopia

Harnessing the power of bees

Mulu Abeje, a father of two in Ethiopia, explains how beekeeping is helping his children get the education he never had.

Mulu was trained and supported by Bees for Development.
www.beesfordevelopment.org

The Power of Bees. Bees offer a wonderful way to help people in extreme poverty. Bees do not need to be fed: they find their own food and water. Simple hives can be well made from locally available materials, and bees are freely available from nature. Beekeeping is even possible for people with no land of their own. It offers a feasible livelihood option, with good markets for honey and beeswax..

Bees for Development fights chronic poverty by targeting the most disadvantaged groups: single women, young people, families without land or other assets, and people with disabilities. We help them to obtain bees, establish apiaries, and develop profitable beekeeping enterprises. People learn to sell honey and beeswax and to earn their own income – like Mulu.

Beekeeper training, Supporting marginalised groups, Routes to market

The Ibnat district in Amhara has recorded high levels of youth unemployment in recent years. While this issue is not unique to Ibnat it is especially prevalent there. Ibnat is also an area of high beekeeping potential.

Bees for Development Ethiopia is working with 120 young men (60) and women (60) helping them create a sustainable income source through beekeeping. By teaching the selected youths how to keep bees in a low cost, sustainable way they are able to generate a consistent income with the potential to grow into a career.

Alongside the beekeeping training the new beekeepers are also being taught how to manage their finances and work together for financial stability through Village Savings and Loans Groups