The Lambi Fund of Haiti

Spring 2009 Newsletter — Contents

Making Money Out of Honey In Southern Haiti

SASH, a grassroots organization in Southern Haiti, was founded in 2003 by 12 local beekeepers. Initially, they came together and discussed their problems with current beekeeping methods, the market, and environmental changes like droughts.

As these discussions continued, they realized they should work together in order to strengthen their beekeeping businesses.

Their organizational goals include modernizing SASH members' beekeeping apparatus, protecting the environment and providing support for new members.

Prior to SASH's partnership with Lambi Fund, beekeeping methods consisted of using half of a hollowed out tree log placed on the ground with palm leaves stuffed in the ends. In this enclosed space, bees would make their beehives and produce honey. Using this simple method made it difficult to effectively harvest all of the honey, and what was produced lacked purity. Modernizing their methods was one of the major reasons why SASH was formed.

SASH requested the materials and methods necessary to modernize their beekeeping techniques. Lambi Fund provided funds for SASH to buy 16 modern beekeeping boxes, smokers, extractors, veils, tools, and gloves.

Members attended workshops on strengthening organizational leadership led by Lambi Fund staff. They also learned about effectively running and managing the beekeeping business, and received training on modern beekeeping techniques from an apiary expert.

Strides made by SASH and its community are inspiring. They own the land that houses the beekeeping boxes.

They now have 30 fully functioning boxes and are in the process of making 30 more. SASH members' commitment to the beekeeping project is integral to the success of their business. Banyan trees surround the land and help attract bees to produce high-quality golden honey.

Droughts and continued deforestation decrease the numbers of flowers available for bees to pollinate so the SASH members are committed to replanting tree saplings throughout the region in partnership with Lambi Fund.

Currently, these beekeepers produce and sell honey by the gallon. They also sell beeswax for candles, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom for medicinal and therapeutic uses. SASH also reports that other beekeeping groups in Haiti have come to SASH to learn from their newer methods.

As this organization looks to the future and opportunities for expansion, they discuss desires to explore international export of their products.

They also want to expand their inventory of beekeeping equipment, some of which can only be purchased in the U.S. These tools make their work even more efficient and productive.

Less handling of the honey is required, the honey obtained is even cleaner and they can obtain as much as five high quality gallons of honey per box.

Donate now to Lambi Fund of Haiti if you want to support beekeeping in Haiti.