Michelle Hancock, Sponsorship communications coordinator
I’m really happy to welcome you to ‘the buzz’ – it means you’ve received your latest newsletter from Kenya!
This is a space for you to find out more about the families and projects you support in Kenya. Scroll down to hear more from Margaret, Susan and Josephine, who you have met in the newsletter.
You might be wondering why we started the bee-keeping project in the first place? Read on to find out...
I’d love to hear from you, and so would the families in Kuria; send us your messages by emailing sponsorvoice@actionaid.org.
The trouble with tobacco farming…
Tobacco companies offer huge profits and provide loans to families to grow tobacco. The chemicals used to grow it are harmful and pollute water sources; land is deforested, as wood is burnt in drying rooms to cure the tobacco leaves. The health issues are obvious. The income from tobacco minus the loans leaves little to no income for the family.
Margaret: “I am a farmer – I used to grow tobacco, but now I grow maize, beans, sweet potatoes, finger millet and sorghum. I work in the fields alone; sometimes I hire help if I have money. When we grew tobacco, we went hungry and had to go to our neighbours to ask for food.”
What’s the alternative?
ActionAid is supporting a project in Kuria to provide women with an alternative source of income by keeping bees. This is being rolled out to increasing numbers of families to give women independent income. The success of the project is helping it to expand, and a community organisation – GOSOORA – is managing the project, ensuring sustainability.
GOSOORA facts!
• GOSOORA is a Kuria word, meaning ‘bringing together’ • GOSOORA members coordinate the bee keeping activities in Kuria • A total of 4,200 people are benefiting from GOSOORA’s bee keeping project • The entire member network meet every month; the committee meet as often as necessary
GOSOORA honey!
• A litre of honey sells for KSh 600 (£4.60) • In a typical year, there are three honey harvests • Group members sell their honey at the main Kehancha market and smaller markets; market day is usually Wednesday • 20% of honey profits are ploughed back into the group; the group fund covers the costs of maintaining harvesting equipment and provides loans to members
Josephine: “Fifteen litres in one hive is a good harvest; sometimes in the dry season you get less. I sell some of my harvest, but keep some to eat because it is very nutritious. I have four hives from ActionAid.”
Keep your eyes peeled for a special way you can get involved with the bee-keeping project here in Kuria. It will be winging its way to you through the post during May!
Bye for now,
Michelle