Project Overview

The Bees Project is an eco-sustainable initiative under the Rweteera Child Aid Community Foundation (RCAF) aimed at improving livelihoods, supporting child welfare, and promoting environmental conservation through community-based beekeeping. This initiative empowers local families—particularly women and youth—with skills in modern apiculture, generating income to support children’s education and health, while also protecting the local ecosystem.

Objectives

1. Economic Empowerment: To provide a sustainable income-generating activity for vulnerable families in the Rweteera community.

2. Child Welfare: To support children’s basic needs, such as school fees, uniforms, and nutrition, through income from honey sales.

3. Environmental Conservation: To promote biodiversity and environmental protection by encouraging pollinator-friendly practices.

4. Skills Development: To equip community members, especially youth, with knowledge and technical skills in beekeeping and honey processing.

Activities

• Training Workshops: Conducted regularly to educate participants in beehive construction, colony management, honey harvesting, and processing.

• Distribution of Beekeeping Kits: Each participating household receives a startup kit, including modern beehives (Langstroth or top-bar), protective clothing, and tools.

• Hive Placement & Management: Hives are strategically placed in safe, flora-rich environments around Rweteera and Kibale forest edges to ensure healthy bee populations.

• Honey Processing & Packaging: Establishment of a small-scale honey processing unit to improve quality, shelf-life, and market value.

• Market Linkages: Creating access to local and regional markets for selling honey and related products (e.g., beeswax, candles, lip balm).

Target Beneficiaries

• Vulnerable households, especially those led by single mothers or grandparents.

• Youth and adolescents in need of vocational training.

• Children indirectly benefit through improved household income and nutrition.

Impact

• Increased household income among 50+ families (targeted in Phase I).

• Improved school attendance among children of beekeeping families.

• Reforestation and biodiversity improvement through pollinator-friendly tree planting and reduced forest encroachment.

• Strengthened community cohesion through cooperative beekeeping groups.

Sustainability

• RCAF supports the creation of a community beekeepers’ cooperative to oversee training, quality control, and collective marketing.

• A revolving fund model allows new families to join the program each year as others become self-reliant.

Partnerships

• Collaborations with local forestry officials, agricultural extension workers, and conservation NGOs.

• Support from donors and well-wishers interested in sustainable development, education, and the environment.