Good news for the Zambian Ladies
In a recent news item (possible project in Zambia) one of our project managers, Roy Dyche, described a visit he made last September to a women’s co-operative in southern Zambia. The main reason for the visit was not, as the photo might suggest, to treat the ladies to a display of his remarkable dancing skills — an example of carrying coals to Newcastle if ever there was one! He wanted to work out a way in which Bees Abroad could help the co-operative to take up beekeeping, something they had told us they were very eager to do.
It was successful trip and Roy came back with a detailed project proposal which our Trustees were happy for us to pursue. And then the hard work began: the search for funders prepared to support the project.
The encouraging news is that our fundraiser, Polly Mason, has recently secured a £2,500 grant for this purpose from the Rufford Foundation. Roy is delighted: “The Foundation has been most generous. If this project goes as planned, it will make a real difference to the lives of these ladies. Finding the money to feed and clothe their families, to meet their medical bills and to pay their children’s school fees is a never-ending struggle. Income from their beekeeping would make things so much easier for them.
“The Rufford Foundation’s contribution will not cover the full cost of the project but it goes a long way towards doing so and we are very grateful to them.”
Polly is now looking to additional sources of finance and we are confident that it won’t be too long before Roy can visit the ladies again to help them set up their apiary, provide them with the training they will need to get started and take the opportunity to coach them in the finer points of the tango and the Viennese waltz.
