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Bóthar has a number of different livestock projects operating in Uganda. One of them is the Kyakahinda Beekeeping community.  We recently received this touching story of one of our farmers participating in this project from Dr. Bernard Muyeya.  We have reproduced Hope’s story here in her own words as she wished to speak to you, our donors, directly (translated by Dr. Muyeya):

My name is Hope Akankwasa; I am a 37 year old single mother.  I have 5 children that I must care for on my own because their father no longer cared about us and left.  Because of this I was ostracised in the community because people thought there was something wrong with me or that I had done something that I shouldn’t have. Feeding and looking after my children has been the driving force that has kept me alive. 

When I first heard about the Bóthar bee keeping project I was intrigued but I shied away at first because I feared that I might not be welcome. 

My fear were soon allayed by the leaders of the project who informed me that Bóthar did not discriminate and was out to help the needy irrespective of religion, tribe and status in society.

I subsequently joined the Hayakinda Beekeeping community; I attended the training sessions where I learned what types of trees and flowering plants to grow, how to harvest the honey and how to market it.  Soon after I completed the training course I received 3 hives of sting less honey bees.

I started harvesting up to 30kg of honey which I was able to sell at the local market.  With the money I earned I saved as much of it as possible while also providing for my children.  After some time I had saved enough to buy a local cow, the cow was in-calf and soon she had a heifer calf. 

I was now able to give my children milk and I could sell the surplus which added to the income I was earning from selling honey and wax.  I am now able to feed my children properly because I can afford to buy fish and some meat to help balance their diet.  My children are now healthy and I am able to spend less money on hospital bills and more on school fees and other needs.

Now I can provide for my family’s needs.

Receiving those Beehives has completely changed my life and the lives of my children.  It means that I can hold my head high and my children do not need to be ashamed.