Hive Twin Update: June 2024 Umutara Deaf School, Rwanda.
- dunnybees
- Jul 4, 2024
- 4 min read
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Welcome back, fellow nature enthusiasts! It's time for another exciting update on our DunnyBees twin hive project located in the heart of Rwanda, specifically catering to the Umutara Deaf School. June has been a month filled with progress, heartwarming moments, and a buzz of activity around the hives. Let's dive into the latest buzz from our buzzing friends!
A Glimpse of Harmony
The gentle hum of the bees harmonizing with the serene surroundings of the Umutara Deaf School paints a picturesque scene of unity between nature and community. The twin hives stand as a symbol of sustainability and collaboration, showcasing the fruitful results of our collective efforts to support the environment and empower the local community.
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Empowerment Through Education
Education is the foundation upon which the future is built, and at Umutara Deaf School, knowledge flows as freely as the honey from our buzzing companions. By incorporating beekeeping into the school curriculum, students are not only learning about the importance of bees in our ecosystem but also gaining hands-on experience in sustainable practices that can benefit both the environment and their future endeavors.
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Dominique Ndagimana is the Director of Umutara Deaf School which he founded with his wife. He is the Bees Abroad link with the school. Several of the teachers have had some bee keeping training through the project.
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Eddy Rangira is the Partnership Manager in Rwanda. He helped us establish the programme at UDS. He is a statistician who works for the government. He has an apiary in Kigali. Eddy visits UDS each year to assess the school training of students and visits some of the students in their home villages.
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Buzzing with Progress
The month of June has been abuzz with progress around the hives. The dedicated team of beekeepers and students have been hard at work, tending to the hives, monitoring bee activity, and ensuring that our busy friends have everything they need to thrive. From expanding the hives to collecting fresh honey, every step we take brings us closer to our goal of creating a sustainable future for the Umutara Deaf School community.
In March 2024, Umutara Deaf School student Berchmus Rukara was highlighted within a 'student spotlight' article:
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Student Spotlight
Berchmus Rukara is a young beekeeper and one of the most successful beekeepers from UDS. He graduated from UDS in 2022 with hives, protective clothing for himself and a family member and honey processing equipment. He weaves traditional Rwandan hives which he sells to many people at a low price. He sells at least 30 hives per month. He has over 40 hives, a big increase on the initial six hives from Bees Abroad.
Today he is mobilizing other people with disabilities to become beekeepers, he currently has five people with disability who have joined him in beekeeping. Berchmus has managed to buy two goats, two ducks and rabbits from the sale of honey and hives. His target is to buy a bicycle to help him transport material for weaving hives and transporting them to clients by the next harvesting period. Last season he harvested 45kgs which he sold at 4000frw (£2.65) per kilo, hence earning 180,000frw (£120).
Nature's Resilience and Beauty
As we witness the resilience of the bees and the beauty of their intricate hive structures, we are reminded of the incredible wonders of the natural world. The bees serve as a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of preserving our environment for generations to come.
Image Source: Umutara Deaf School
Umutara Deaf School June 2024 Update
In Eastern Africa, the rainy season starts in March and continues through April, ending in May. This period of cold weather can negatively impact bee populations, reducing honey harvests and causing some bee fatalities. Despite this, it also triggers a rise in egg production as part of their natural breeding cycle. Traditional Kinyarwanda hives are especially susceptible to the cold, unlike their modern counterparts. Plans are underway to replace these with modern hives, which should enhance production and allow for better observation of bee behavior.
As climate change introduces more erratic weather patterns, preparations are being made for the warm season, which marks the beginning of the second honey harvest. By June, bee activity and honey production typically increase.
Various crops, including sorghum, beans, and tomatoes, are grown in the mountainous regions of our country. The use of pesticides on these crops poses a risk to bees if they encounter treated areas. However, as the harvesting season concludes, these risks diminish. Meanwhile, the bee populations are expanding due to increased egg-laying activities.
Traditional Hives
Number of hives in the apiaries: 8
Number of hives with bees: 5
Number of hives without bees: 3
Amount of honey harvested: 8 kg
Amount of wax harvested and cleaned for sale: 1 kg
Top Bar Hives:
Number in apiary: 6
Number housing bees: 6
Number without bees: 0
Quantity of honey harvested: 10 kg
Quantity of wax harvested and cleaned for sale: 1.1 kg
Source: Bees Abroad
Thank you for joining us on this journey through the buzzing world of DunnyBees and the Umutara Deaf School. Stay tuned for more updates, heartwarming stories, and inspiring moments as we work together to create a sustainable hive of harmony and empowerment. If you would like to learn more about hive twinning and the registered charity work spanning across 15 countries, please visit the Bees Abroad website.
Remember, just like the bees, we too can make a difference—one buzz at a time.
Let's create a world where nature and community thrive together.
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