In celebration of International Youth Day, we announce one of the latest Bees Abroad projects, working with the Nyabihu School for the Deaf in Rwanda.

The school is located in a rural area

In Rwanda’s Northern Province, the Nyabihu School for the Deaf is known for more than just lessons in the classroom. Founded in 2012 by the late Ngabonziza Louis, it was built to "give deaf students the skills and confidence to thrive". Tailoring and carpentry have been part of the curriculum for years, providing practical ways to earn an income despite the stigma and late access to schooling many deaf students face.

Together, we want to add something new - beekeeping.

Earlier this year, school director Eric reached out to us after seeing the success of our work at Umutara Deaf School (UDS) in Gatunda. At UDS, we helped train teachers, set up an apiary, and support graduates with equipment and mentoring for two years after they left school. Many of those young beekeepers now manage their own apiaries, sell honey and beeswax, and in some cases even make and sell hives. The change in their confidence and standing in their communities has been remarkable.

Nyabihu wants to replicate that success.

Part of the project is to use space from the above, proposed land to set up a school apiary

They have three acres of school land, currently planted with maize, Irish potatoes, and climbing beans and most students live within five kilometres, making it easy to keep mentoring them after graduation.

Leading the project will be Tuyishime Emelyne, a young, female and energetic teacher with a BA in Biology and Chemistry. She knows all the students and their families, is fluent in sign language, and is eager to learn beekeeping so she can pass those skills on.

Of course, there are challenges. Nyabihu is a busy farming area, and potatoes, maize, and beans are often sprayed with pesticides. But the school has good relationships with local farmers and can encourage safer practices, like spraying in the evening or using organic options.

Why beekeeping? Because it’s practical and sustainable:

• It doesn’t require much land or money to start.

• Honey income can help when harvests fail.

• Beekeepers protect pollinators, which in turn help crops grow.

The plan for the next 12 months is to integrate beekeeping into the school curriculum, train teachers and students, and link graduates with opportunities in their communities.

And in case you were curious, the total budget for this project is £1,522.16 for training and mentoring of students and teachers, equipment for the apiary, protective gear and management.

Less than you expected? Well, now you know that your donation does go a long way.