At this time of year I'm especially appreciative that I have a roof over my head and food in my belly when so many in the world have neither. You don't need to be a Christian to celebrate the idea of Christmas which should be a time of peace, love and selfless giving rather than the modern concept of commercialized over consumption. Here are a few Christmas gift suggestions that we can give to beekeepers less fortunate than ourselves.
In many countries beekeeping is a practical solution to reduce poverty and relieve suffering. Beekeeping requires little space, minimal cost and offers much needed income from the sales of honey, beeswax and pollen. In addition increased pollination from the introduction of these bees can substantially increase fruit and vegetable yields as well as pollinating native plants. For most beekeeping has become a supplement to the family income but for an increasing number it has become a major part of the village economy. This is one of reasons we created our Beekeepers' Library, to provide free localized information to beekeepers worldwide. There are many good philanthropic beekeeping organizations worthy of your Christmas donations like Bees for Development, ICIMOD, Trocaire Gift of Honey Bees, Under the Mango Tree Society, UNDP, Actionaid and Bees Abroad.
One organization on my gift list is "Heifer International" which has been operating throughout the world for over 70 years. For a mere $30 you can give the gift of honey bees.
Beekeeping in Nicaragua. Cirila del Carmen Zambrana is a beekeeper and businesswoman who lives in the town of Villa Nueva in Nicaragua. Although men traditionally dominate the beekeeping field, Cirila and her cooperative of 13 other female beekeepers are shattering gender stereotypes. After receiving training and support from Heifer, the group began producing and selling high-quality honey. They also learned how to make products such as shampoo, soap and cream. The bees are not only a source of income — they are also effective pollinators, increasing nearby fruit and vegetable production and helping the forest adapt to climate change.
Another worthy organization is the Mayan Bee Sanctuary Project (Stingless Honey Bee of the Maya) which is dedicated to the welfare and sustainability of Maya women beekeeping honey producers in Yucatan, Mexico. In addition they hope to create sustainable native Melipona stingless honey bee populations and preserve traditional Maya beekeeping practices. This is particularly important in an area which like most of the world prefers the increased honey production of the European honey bee (Africanized bee).
Although I grow much of my own food and support local, organic farmers an organization that I support at Christmas and throughout the year is Fair Trade. Farmers in developing countries have traditionally been exploited by greedy food distribution corporations. A small portion of the price you pay for agricultural products from developing countries goes to the farmer. The concept of "Fair Trade" has empowered these farmers and provided them and their communities with a fair income which has allowed them a healthier, happier lifestyle. This documentary "Hope is Golden" is about the beekeeping cooperatives in Brazil’s arid Caatinga region that produce Fair Trade certified honey.
The Fair Trade organizations provide funding for the infrastructure required by farming cooperatives in developing countries. "Fair Trade International" began 25 years ago and in 2012 the number of Fairtrade producing organizations grew by 16%. It works and it is growing. Each time you buy a Fair Trade product you are supporting the farmer and their family in the developing world rather than the multinational food distribution corporation. Buying "Fair Trade" products (honey, tea, chocolate, sugar, fruit, flowers and coffee), easily identifiable by the "Fair Trade" symbol is a good idea throughout the year.
A very important cause to support now because of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia is any legitimate charity that is offering aid to Ukrainians. I donate regularly to the Canada-Ukraine Foundation however it's important to remember that many farmers and beekeepers have been killed (Ukrainian beekeeper killed while tending hives) or displaced because of this war (Ukrainian beekeepers). Ukraine is one of the largest honey producers (400,000 beekeepers and 3.6 million hives) in the world with a rich beekeeping tradition dating back to medievel times (Ukrainian beekeeping). The National Honey Show Ukraine Emergency Appeal was created to provide financial support to Ukrainian beekeepers in this time of need as was "Help on Bee Wings" from the Brotherhood of Ukrainian Beekeepers . Russian missile lands near an apiary in Kirovohrad Oblast, Ukraine
A Ukrainian beekeeper was saved by his bees who diffused grenades left behind in his hives by withdrawing Russian troops (Bee News). The booby traps failed to explode because the bees had covered the hand grenade pins with honey and propolis.
Russian hand grenade in Ukrainian bee hive.
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It's important to remember that in a war zone bee hives are often abandoned or destroyed.
"Ukrainian beekeepers who became soldiers saw several surviving hives in the deoccupied territory. They could not pass by, allocated 20 minutes and prepared the bee colony for the wintering period.
Love for bees is forever!" Tetyana Vasylkivska
Organizations that I do not support or legitimize are Bayer/Monsanto's Bee Care and Syngenta's Operation Pollinator. There are a number of factors contributing to the demise of all species of bees including imported diseases, pests and diminished available forage, global warming but a major cause is the prophylactic overuse of agrichemicals. Monsanto, Bayer and Syngenta are in the process of monopolizing the world seed market with patented genetically modified seeds that contain or are designed to accept massive quantities of agrichemicals that are dangerous to both bees and humans. Their bee programs are a public relations ploy to divert you from the true danger of their products.
A free gift I recommend to beekeepers of all ages is the wonderful book, "The Travelling Beehive". This book is written by Elena Garcia and Manuel Angel Rosado and beautifully illustrated by Juan Hernaz. It is published by Apolo which is an organization dedicated to the preservation of pollinators and their habitat. You can follow Polli the honey bee and her friend Dipter the hover fly as they face the challenges of a disappearing green space. They are joined in their struggle by Bazumba the wild bee, Missus Bombus the bumblebee, Lepi the butterfly, her majesty the queen, Dorian the farmer and Ramon the beekeeper. Sit back with your children or grandchildren and enjoy the The Travelling Beehive.
The bees are snuggled in their hives waiting for Santa. Penny, from the Natural Beekeeping Trust of the United Kingdom says "Traditionally, Christian beekeepers have visited their colonies at midnight on Christmas Eve to tell the bees of the nativity. They also hoped to hear the special melodious humming that the bees were said to perform at this time, portending health and prosperity throughout the coming year. It was thought that this custom was predated by an earlier pre-Christian one when the return of the sun was by no means guaranteed!" If you're wondering what to recite to your bees on Christmas Eve here is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy.
The Bee Carol
Silently on Christmas Eve,
the turn of midnight's key;
all the garden locked in ice -
a silver frieze -
except the winter cluster of the bees.
Flightless now and shivering,
around their Queen they cling;
every bee a gift of heat;
she will not freeze
within the winter cluster of the bees.
Bring me for my Christmas gift
a single golden jar;
let me taste the sweetness there,
but honey leave
to feed the winter cluster of the bees.
Come with me on Christmas Eve
to see the silent hive -
trembling stars cloistered above -
and then believe,
bless the winter cluster of the bees.
If you have any favorite bee projects that could use our financial assistance I would love to hear of them. I hope that you, your bees and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Peace on earth and good will to all.
Merry Christmas!
