Helping Hands Uganda-Canada Aid Beekeeping Project Proposal
Beehives for Honey Production to Establish a Sustainable Funding Source
Executive Summary
Beekeeping is a sustainable livelihood activity with significant potential but remains underutilized as a source of income in Uganda. Helping Hands Uganda-Canada Aid (HHU) proposes the establishment of a beekeeping initiative to address this gap by creating a sustainable income stream to supplement donor funding. This initiative aims to empower the HHU community by fostering collaboration between caregivers and sponsored children, supporting the charity’s growth while enabling participants to earn an income. The project will directly employ at least three caregivers, equipping them with skills and opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
The primary goal is to create a dependable income source to cover medical expenses and unforeseen emergencies, while also enabling caregivers to contribute meaningfully to the charity’s mission. The need for such a solution became evident through HHU’s experiences managing health-related financial crises, including covering costly medical diagnostic tests for a sponsored child and providing burial assistance for a caregiver. In a recent situation a sponsored child required urgent, costly diagnostic tests. Thanks to the generosity of one of our sponsors, the charity was able to cover these costs, but this highlighted the need for a more sustainable funding source. Similarly in the past, we were faced with a caregiver’s prolonged illness that ended in their passing, and the charity had to step in with medical and burial assistance despite not having budgetary allocations for such emergencies. These experiences underline the urgent need for a dependable income stream to ensure HHU can continue its commitment to the well-being of its beneficiaries and their families
By leveraging the low-cost and high-yield nature of beekeeping, this project offers a practical and scalable solution. It creates economic opportunities for caregivers, provides a consistent funding source for medical and emergency needs, and reduces over-reliance on donor support. Through this initiative, HHU aims to ensure long-term sustainability while strengthening the resilience of the communities it serves.
Project overview
Project Name: Beekeeping Project
Location: Bugiri, Uganda
Duration: 2 years (Set up 40 beehives and monitor)
Budget: $10,000
Beneficiaries: Sponsored children and their families
Organizational Background
Helping Hands Uganda-Canada Aid is a Canadian-registered charitable organization dedicated to supporting underprivileged children and their families through education, healthcare, food security, and income-generating activities. With a proven track record of addressing health and financial emergencies, HHU seeks to build a sustainable support model for its beneficiaries.
Situation Analysis
Beekeeping is an ideal rural livelihood activity due to its minimal physical demands, suitability for women and older caregivers, and low start-up costs. Bugiri’s rural nature with farming as a major activity offer optimal conditions for beekeeping. This project aligns with HHU’s mission to enhance community well-being, promote environmental conservation, and create sustainable livelihoods.
Project Objectives and Outcomes
Goal:
Empower caregivers to generate income for themselves while contributing to HHU’s ability to manage medical expenses and emergencies sustainably.
Key Outcomes:
- Health Improvements:
- Provide a more sustainable income stream for medical emergencies and health-related expenses
- Support caregivers’ health needs during crises
- Production of honey, a natural sweetener with medicinal benefits.
- Economic Empowerment:
- Equip caregivers with beekeeping skills and participate in the employment market.
- Increased household incomes for some beneficiary families.
- Environmental Benefits:
- Enhanced biodiversity and crop pollination through beekeeping activities
Implementation plan
Phase 1: Preparation and Approvals
- Secure land and permissions from local authorities (2 acres provided free in a forest).
- Prepare the site with fencing and layout for the beehives
Phase 2: Setup and Training
- Procure and install beekeeping equipment (hives, tools).
- Train caregivers in hive management, honey harvesting, and bee biology.
Phase 3: Operations
- Introduce bee colonies, monitor hives, and begin honey production.
- Package and label honey products for sale.
Phase 4: Marketing
- Develop distribution channels and collaborate with local organizations.
- Build brand awareness through social media and community outreach.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Conduct regular field visits by HHU program coordinator.
- Gather beneficiary feedback and prepare quarterly progress reports.
- Implement corrective measures as needed to ensure milestones are achieved
- By the end of two years this project should be self sustaining
Budget Breakdown
Sustainability Plan
- Ongoing income from honey sales and by-products
- Empowered caregivers will train others, spreading knowledge and expanding the impact to other families and neighbouring communities.
- Beekeeping promotes biodiversity, improves agricultural yields, and supports reforestation efforts.
Risk Management (Risks and Mitigation Strategy)
Conclusion
The HHU Beekeeping Project offers a transformative opportunity to empower caregivers, generate sustainable income, and promote environmental conservation. By addressing immediate health and financial needs while fostering long-term community resilience, this project will significantly enhance HHU’s capacity to support its beneficiaries.
Contact:
Tracy Teckla Wanyama – Founder
Founder, Helping Hands Uganda-Canada Aid