Behind the sweet smile: Linda and Nayeti’s story

You may have noticed Nayeti’s beaming smile across our website, especially if you’ve checked out our First Comes Food podcast or our latest Annual Impact Report. There’s a great story behind that beautiful smile. 

Nayeti is a happy, thriving 12-year-old growing up in Ghana. Thanks to donor support, her mother Linda recently began a beekeeping business that she knows will bring her family success after many farming challenges. Learn more here.

Before the bees

Prior to joining the beekeeping program, Linda was a small-scale farmer and her main income came from charcoal burning. The family finances weren’t strong, especially since climate change made it difficult to farm successfully. 

“Aside from the negative impact of climate change on crop farming, farm inputs have become so expensive,” she told us. 

Low income and rising costs meant her children, including Nayeti, weren’t always provided with their basic needs, especially around schooling and health. That’s why Linda jumped at the opportunity to start a new business venture.

Why beekeeping

“What is interesting about participating is the new knowledge and skills I was exposed to on beekeeping. I never thought of beekeeping as a vocation or livelihood opportunity.” 

Beekeeping was an affordable option to help Linda and her fellow female group members earn more income. Her group has set up 30 beehives and is looking forward to their first harvest. 

Linda says that being part of the beekeeping group has already improved her social life, and the income will pay for school fees, clothes and other needs for her children. She and her group members are all in to make the business a success.

“My group members and I are working hard – cleaning and putting water and other batting materials to attract more bees for a good harvest.”

More than just a sweet treat

As for Nayeti, she couldn’t be happier about her mother’s new business – especially when she gets to eat the honey. 

“I like to use it as a substitute for sugar in my tea and porridge and on my bread. It just tastes sweet!” Nayeti says. 

At 12, Nayeti also appreciates the value of honey beyond its great taste: “It’s a good thing that my mother is part of the bees group because I know when the program succeeds, my mother can sell some honey to raise money for education and health needs.”

She also knows that the bees will not only benefit her family, but will help preserve their local ecosystem by keeping vegetation healthy. 

Your gifts are making a difference for children like Nayeti

Thanks to the support from donors like you, Nayeti can look forward to more sweet honey treats – and an even sweeter future. Linda is determined to make sure that her children not only learn in school, but on the land as well, so that they can help reduce the negative impacts of climate change for their community. The beekeeping business will help her achieve just that.

“My plans are to continue raising bees, expand production and teach the younger generation  how to keep and raise bees to protect the environment.”

Thank you for helping children like Nayeti thrive!