© 2008 Natures Laboratory Ltd.

Another of our favourite bee charities is Bees for Development. Located in Monmouth, the organisation is dedicated to assisting beekeepers in developing countries through information dissemination, research, and development. They publish a journal(pictured) four times a year that is sent out to 4000 beekeepers in 130 countries, providing practical advice on management

techniques, marketing, producer empowerment, as well as news on the latest developments in

the field.

For people in remote and poor areas, beekeeping is a feasible way to create food and income while at the same time, the bees pollinate crops and wild plants, helping biodiversity.

The charity recently prevented a ban on Zambian honey in the UK by conducting research on its qualities and chemical properties – this trade supports the livelihoods of thousands of Zambian beekeepers.

Their website is a hive of information, where you can find out anything you need to know about beekeeping, and it links into other sites more specifically to do with apitherapy. Find them at  www.planbee.org.uk

This is a new and growing initiative set up by some UK based homeopaths, who have come to our attention through their use of herbs to avoid mosquito bites and malaria. They provide education on homeopathy and have set up a village clinic, which they continue to support and work at. The project has been mostly funded by themselves, and has also received support from the Contemporary College of Homeopathy and the School of Homeopathy in the UK. They are now planning to extend the project to other villages, and to bring much needed natural healthcare to outlying communities.

Bees Abroad is a UK charity dedicated to the alleviation of poverty in developing countries through the advancement of the craft of beekeeping. They work mainly in Africa, but are spreading out around the world as they gather experience and technical know-how. One of their main activities is setting up and supporting field extension services, running training courses for local beekeepers and financing trainers.

Earlier on this year they ran a training course with the Igbalu community in a village about 50 miles from Lagos. Over 90% of the participants were farmers, with no formal education – so the training was all practical and hands-on. Each project they run has its own idiosyncrasies according to local conditions and culture, and one of the essential outcomes is to develop a network of local trainers who can continue to grow the skills base and spread the word. At Igbalu, the training was provided by Alhaji Idris Zaria (known as ‘Idrisbee’), who runs the Beekeeping Extension Society in Kaduna state. We are told that one of his major talents is eliminating the fear of bee stinging from the mind, although I think we’d have to go there to find out how he does it.

In fact, Bees Abroad now run holidays where you can travel to far flung places and assist by supporting local projects. What better way to learn about the art of beekeeping?

For details visit www.beesabroad.org.uk