With honey out of poverty into a self-determined life
Madagascar is one of the countries with the highest poverty rate in the world. Children, adolescents and young adults suffer greatly because they are not picked up by state institutions in times of need. Fihaonana is located about 60 km north of the Malagasy capital Antananarivo and is one of thousands of underdeveloped village communities in the country. Self-sufficient farmers, stonecutters in quarries and simple traders with a low income are living here in primitive mud houses with thatched roofs.
20 beehives help a poverty-stricken person to live a life above the international poverty line. 20 beehives produce about 600 liters of honey per year, which corresponds to an approximate sales value of CHF 3,000. Although the production is connected with high, partly unique costs for equipment, beehives including bees etc., the honey production will yield profit after a short start-up time.
With our start-up funding, we were able to launch a project that has 10 beekeeper stations as its goal. CHANGING is working with an experienced beekeeper and will employ three beekeepers between September and December 2022. A newly established honey cooperative will be supported by CHANGING, including support for fair honey sales. The goal is to outgrow the land acquired through CHANGING and become self-sufficient as quickly as possible. The acquisition of further beehives in 2023 and the first honey sale from November 2023 are a significant boost.