Olotoroki, the Maasai word for Bee, is a business opportunity in Kenya that has the potential to increase funding for education, water projects and other self reliance initiatives. Research, Analysis, Prayer and just a “little” stress led to the decision to move forward with this project! We are so excited about the Olotoroki Project and the potential it holds to increase our reach dramatically in a very positive way! Thanks to a start up donation of $6000 and a matching donation of $1500 which has been fully matched we are fully funded!

Generous donors made the initial donation of $6,000 to get the project started. Two apiaries have been established in two villages with 25 beehives each. Our community representatives worked very hard! They facilitated delivery of sand, hardcore and cement then they shoveled, hauled, dug and sweated in the hot Kenyan sun to install metal stands for the beehives and then fenced the apiaries. We are so grateful for our donors and also for all those in Kenya who have worked so hard to make this happen. The remaining funds will be used to purchase harvesting equipment when we are ready to harvest.

The communities, Olokeri and Sikirrar, both received training in the care of the hives and assisted in hanging the hives in trees to assist with the colonization of the hives with native bees. Each community hired an individual to be the official beekeeper to watch over the apiary. Trainings will be held each month for the next 5-6 months until the beekeepers have been fully trained in the care of the hives, colonies and have received training in harvesting the honey and other products produced in each colony.

WHY BEEKEEPING?

15 Good Reasons For Beekeeping

1 – Inexpensive to install and keep operational. Beekeeping projects can be started and upheld by local communities with relatively little capital.

2 – It can be relied upon as a money generating activity for generations because beehives can last up to 100 years.

3 – Beekeeping requires little supervision and limited management and it is easy to learn and practice.

4 – Pest control is done by natural means.

5 – Bees are readily available and work at no cost.

6 – High yields produce good capital returns.

7 – No food provision, medical or insurance coverage needed compared to other forms of business.

8 – Land requirements are minimal.

9 – The existing eco-system improves, as do the agricultural harvests because bees play an essential part in nature as pollinators of plants and trees.

10 – Bees are indigenous in the counties where beekeeping operations will be established.

11 – Beekeeping products, honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly, bee venom, bee pollen and beeswax, are valued by people as food, medicine and a source of light.

12 – Honey is easy to sell to the local population in the surrounding areas providing direct income for the beekeepers.

13 – Beekeeping is easy to combine with other activities on the land and around the house.

14 – Everybody can take part, whatever their gender, age, social status or property.

15 – Beekeeping strengthens trust in the ability to be self reliant and gives people hope in a better future.

Imagine the difference 25 hives will make! Twenty-five hives have the potential to generate $15,000 – $20,000 USD in a year. These numbers have been verified with bee farmers who already hold contracts. The local village economy has the potential to grow and thrive with this initiative.

A renewable 5 year purchase agreement for all products is signed as part of the contract. Staff are trained onsite in beekeeping husbandry practices and assistance with initial harvests is provided. A total of 16 visits are provided for technical support including colony division.

The beehives will be ready for the first harvest about 6 months after installation. Therefore it will take approximately 18 months to reach the full yearly income figure the first time. The bees have started to colonize some of our hives. This part has been an exercise in patience, hope and faith waiting for nature to takes its’ course.

No End To Love will maintain ownership of the hives for the foreseeable future but the villages will benefit directly from the funds raised by No End To Love through this project.

Funds raised through the Olotoroki Project will provide funds for clean water projects, education assistance, business initiatives and improvement of living conditions. The Olotoroki Project has the potential to provide a solid financial base for No End To Love as well as giving us the financial resources and training opportunities to expand our reach to build self reliant communities in Kenya.