In the area of Senior Chief Chapananga in Chikwawa District lives a remarkable woman named Esmie Augustino. Her inspiring journey, from hardship to hope is as sweet and golden as the honey she produces.

Back in 2014, Esmie was a single mother struggling to make ends meet. With limited income and growing responsibilities, she constantly searched for a way to support her children without harming the natural environment around her. Realising that she is living near Majete Wildlife Reserve, Esmie saw an opportunity to turn her respect for nature into a sustainable livelihood. Through Honey with Heart Project, implemented at Majete Wildlife Reserve, Esmie received training in beekeeping along with six Langstroth hives and 24 supers. It was a humble beginning but a powerful one.

With patience, dedication, and love for her work, Esmie began to care for her bees and harvest honey. Every drop she harvested  and sold brought not just income, but renewed hope. The money from honey sales helped her provide for her family and, importantly, send her children to school. One of Esmie’s greatest joys today is seeing her son, Shadreck Gilbert, living a life she once only dreamed of. The income from beekeeping made it possible for Shadreck to complete his secondary education an opportunity Esmie herself never had. That qualification became the stepping stone for him to apply for ranger training at Majete Wildlife Reserve.

Today, Shadreck proudly serves as a ranger, working to protect the same wildlife his mother has always cherished. He patrols the reserve, helps prevent poaching and contributes to conservation efforts that protect Malawi’s natural heritage. “I started beekeeping with only hope and a wish for a better life,” Esmie reflects. “Now I see my children learning, and my son is a ranger. Honey truly changed my life.”

Esmie’s story is a powerful reminder that with determination, support and sustainable choices, lives can be transformed. She has not only uplifted her own family but has become a beacon of inspiration for her community. She has proved that success is possible when hope meets hard work.