SUCCESS STORY 2

JAMES MIGRATES FROM POVERTY TO PROSPERITY THROUGH HONEY WITH HEART.

In Makwinja Village, GVH Balakasi, T/A Jalasi in Mangochi District, there is a 52-year-old man called Twaibu James. James has been in the village since he was born and his main occupation was subsistence farming. However, due to lack of income for his farming, food insecurity and poverty were the order of the day throughout his life. He tried piece works on top of his subsistence farming to no vail.

James posing at the entrance of the Namwera Honey House ready to start his guarding work.
James is sometimes accompanied by the Coordinator to the Masuku Control Apiary for Hive Inspections and Management.

In 2018, James joined a club called Atupele Beekeeping Club. He was elected secretary of the club due to his literacy level and hardworking spirit. James played a very big role in Hive Management, under his club. He was the most outstanding Beekeeper not only at his club but also throughout the area. He is a very courageous man in as far as Hive Inspections, handling bees and all the Hive Management skills are concerned. Atupele club became the best club in terms of Honey Harvest from the word go, all under the mentorship of James. In 2020, the Namwera Honey House wanted to hire a Guard. One of the attributes for the Honey House Guard was Beekeeping knowledge as it was felt, the recruited Guard may at some point be needed to help in Honey related issues. James applied for the job, underwent interviews and was successful. This now meant that James who was initially just a member of a Beekeeping Club, has now been hired by Honey with Heart as a Guard. Since joining HwH, James’ life has transformed. He is economically stable, since he gets a salary on top of his efforts in honey harvests at his club. James has been able to build a new house, is able to pay school fees for his children. Above all, the food insecurity and poverty at his family is a thing of the past, courtesy of the HwH Beekeeping Project. Asked to comment on his life transformation, James had this to say,” I am very grateful to HwH. If it was not for this Project, I could have been in poverty for my entire life. Today I am able to harvest honey and sell to AP, and above that, I managed to get employment through my hardwork as a Beekeeper. I am sure, if I was not practicing Beekeeping, I wouldn’t have gotten this chance of being employed, “said James. “I pray that this HwH Project continues, so that these benefits can continue to transform our lives. I am very grateful to African Parks in general and Honey with Heart in particular for this wonderful project “, concluded James.