I have only two stories to tell. Honey and New Volunteers
A metal box converted into a hive and painted by one of our beekeepers with a flair for the artistic |
Honey
I feel at home in the Gambia. I feel like my work is fulfilling. I feel I am making a difference. This means that I am happy and settled in everything I do here. I am the busiest and happiest I have ever been here. I am a beekeeper. I am a honey advocate. I am a honey marketer. I am a trainer of beekeepers and volunteers on best practices in beekeeping, I know the honey seasons, approximate potential volume harvests for different types of hives in different seasons.
I have reached a really good point in my service and I am so thankful for all those who have helped me, taught me, and seen me at my worse in between.
I have reached a really good point in my service and I am so thankful for all those who have helped me, taught me, and seen me at my worse in between.
Harvesting hives at our apiary "Kummo Kunda" with the help of volunteers learning about beekeeping |
There were many struggles with the change in management that I mention earlier, but despite this I feel more empowered to be apart of the recreation of an organization (BeeCause Gambia) trying to help create a sustainable beekeeping industry for an entire country (be it a small country).
Overall reaching this point has been the culmination of so many of my efforts over the past 16 months. The accomplishments that were needed to reach this point include:
- Learning the Wolof language
- Transfering from a non-productive work situation
- Learning everything about bee biology and beekeeping
- Overcoming a fear of bees
I am now in the midst of trekking, teaching volunteers, studying for a GMAT exam, writing reports, and planning mirco-finance grants that BeeCause hopes will assist interested villages and beekeepers acquire hives and pay them off in future honey sales.
I am busy and I am happy.
Here are some photos of what has been going on
Here is Dudu fully suited up and ready to beekeep. |
The aforementioned surgery |
Everywhere I go I still dance |
Maybe too much |
New Volunteers!
After cross training in Senegal, where a journeyed a month ago to train the new group in beekeeping. The trainees have come to the Gambia finished all their training and as of yesterday are now volunteers! We have 18 new health and environment volunteers here to wage peace.
I have a few pictures to recap their journey. Actually, just two. The trainees had their sight revealed by being blindfolded and placed on a giant map of the Gambia.
Speaking for the bees
For the swear in BeeCause my NGO decided to pull a little stunt. After pulling out fresh combs of honey from our apiary. We met and decided to present them to the ambassador for the US, the minister of agriculture, and the Peace Corps country director who were all present for the swear in.
Here is the new group receiving the oath of a Peace Corps volunteer |
To this extent I was given the honor of giving an impromptu speech on the benefits of sustainable honey production in the Gambia creating awareness on what really really beautiful honey looks like.
My counter part Balla and our environmental program manager Bahtu helped present the honey combs
here is the minister checking out the honey |
afterward all those who helped train the new volunteers got a picture together |
Sadly I once again have left you with few words but many pictures. I am busy busy though and have to run!
I will end with a few misc pictures. One of me playing frisbee with brits at the local research center and the last is a pair of sleeping puppies a saw on trek
Peace Always,
Xander