“HARVESTING OUR CHILDRENS FUTURE” BEE HIVE PROJECT

Why Raise Bees?

Beyond the benefit of extracting honey and beeswax, bees play an essential role in pollination and fertilization of crops which can help vegetables, flowers, and fruits thrive.

Medical and Health Benefits

Researchers have demonstrated that there is a substance in bee pollen that inhibits the development of harmful bacteria. Experiments have shown bee pollen contains an antibiotic factor effective against salmonella and some strains of bacteria. Studies have shown that a regulatory effect on intestinal function can be attributed to bee pollen. The high proportion of cellulose and fiber in pollen, as well as the existence of antibiotic factors, all contribute to this effect.

Bees gather propolis from flower buds and tree barks, add salivary secretions and wax flakes and spread the finished product on the beehive walls. There are over 500 components in propolis, including: flavonoids, phenols, B vitamins, essential oils and amino acids.

Many beekeepers firmly believe that tending honey bees reduces stress. Working with bees and hearing their gentle hum is calming.

Project Description

The project starts by collaborating with interested teen groups (with one or more elders) from the various tribes in poverty who are serious about bettering their respected communities, and works closely with group members interested in beekeeping to help produce natural honey.

The group is supplied with the tools and equipment needed to perform beekeeping activities, and provided with bee colonies in (4) four beehives (to begin with) to be raised and used for harvesting honey and bee wax as well as queen bee production.

The role of Goodthinking 4 All Our relations is to provide the necessary materials and lead educational training sessions in partnership with local experts in the field. Additionally, Goodthinking 4 All Our Relations will establish an online website/store where honey and bee wax will be sold. The beneficiaries will coordinate with Goodthinking 4 All Our Relations for a period of two years, reporting problems and following the recommendations of a team coordinator.

All startup materials and educational services provided to prospective beekeepers are free of charge pending a required commitment to a drug- and alcohol-free lifestyle and a return of 20% of revenue generated from honey sales to Goodthinking 4 All Our Relations for future beekeeping projects on other impoverished reservations. Goodthinking 4 All Our relations will, in turn, continue to implement similar projects with all interested impoverished reservation youth interested in the self-sustaining benefits of beekeeping.

All beekeepers are asked to participate in the second phase of the project: Training sessions to educate beekeepers on other reservations with their bee hive projects.

The second phase of the project starts while still coordinating with the first beneficiary group. During this phase the same process will be repeated with a new group of impoverished and “at risk” youth to establish other sustainable bee hive projects at reduced costs