Completed Training programs:
- 2013 (spring) Cerca Carvajal (Informal Training, David instructing) 5 students
- 2013 (fall) Cerca Carvajal (Informal Training, David instructing) 10 students
- 2015 BC Canada (Garry St Louis, intensive Haitian instructor training) 1 student
- 2016 Cerca Carvajal (Formal training, David instructing) 8 students
- 2016 Cerca Carvajal (Simon instructs his first class) 7 students
- 2016 BC Canada (Maxence Perpignan, intensive Haitian instructor training) 1 student
- 2017 Cerca Carvajal (Simon instructs the first youth class) 9 students
- 2017 Leogane (Simon and Max instruct for Hope Rising) 5 students
- 2017 Cerca Carvajal (Simon and Max instruct) 5 students
- 2018 Fort Jacques (David instructs for Harvest For Humanity) 14 students
- 2018 Cerca Carvajal (Simon, Max, and Jobles instruct) 13 students
- 2018 Bohoc (Simon & Jobles instruct for The Beehive) 7 students
- 2018 Bernaco (Simon instructs for Global Freedom Project) 9 students
- 2018 Cerca Carvajal (Simon instructs all women’s class for Help Haiti) 13 students
- 2019 Fort Liberté (Simon and Illiand instruct for Help Haiti) 10 students
- 2019 Carbonal (Simon & Jobles instruct) 20 students
- 2019 Jacmel (Simon, Jobles, and Max instruct) 14 students
- 2020 Cerca Carvajal (Simon and Jobles instruct) 13 students
- 2021 Cerca Carvajal (Simon and Jobles instruct) 14 students
- 2021 Cerca Carvajal (Nelcie instructs for Honey For Haiti) 2 students
- 2021 Cerca Carvajal (Nelcie instructs for Locally Haiti) 3 students
- 2022 Mathone (Nelcie, Simon, and Jobles instruct for Road to Hope) 10 students
- 2023 Cerca Carvajal (Nelcie and Jobles instruct for HBS) 10 students
- 2023 Cerca Carvajal (Simon instructs for Respect Haiti) 5 students
Total formally trained students 200+
We approximate that of the 200+ trainees, 100 are successfully managing beehives, and each of them has trained two beekeepers. We conservatively estimate that at least one of each of the two non formally trained beekeepers is successfully managing bees today.
We carefully dissected our early training programs and learned why retention was marginal in the early classes (approx. 50%). Adapting to the challenges and implementing specific strategies to support new beekeepers has dramatically increased retention. E.g. 2022 Mathone = 100% retention
Female students
While our courses operate with a minimum of 50% female students, we are proud to currently average over 80%.
Haitian Partners
We have partnered operationally with the following Haitian Organizations:
- Hope Rising Children’s Home
- Road to Hope
- The Beehive
- Midwives for Haiti Project (upcoming)
- Help Haiti
- Global Freedom Project
- Honey for Haiti
- Locally Haiti
- Respect Haiti
Permaculture
As of 2023, we have 650+ plants growing on the campus property, including:
- Mombin 5
- Gliricidia – 51
- Pineapple – 30
- Coconut – 9
- Citrus – 10
- Mapou – 3
- Breadfruit – 2
- Sugarcane – 200
- Casava – 100
- Olive – 34
- Avocado – 26
- Cashews – 29
- Tamarind – 29
- Mahogany – 11
- Éléphant – 20
- Delene – 42
- Banana – 20
- Mango – 250
Honey Production
- Mean average of five hives per beekeeper, 9 Liters per hive per harvest (2 harvests per year)
- 18,000 Liters per year
Haitians Employed
As of 2022, the Haitian people employed through Haiti Beekeepers Operations are:
- 48 temporary
- 5 permanent
Current Projects
Property
We began working on the training property in April of 2022. As of now, we have approximately 665 fruit and forest trees which provide nectar and pollen for the bees. In the near future we will harvest the fruit to feed the poorest families in the community. We presently have 15 beehives on campus to pollinate the plants and produce honey.
As of January 2023 we’re harvesting pigeon pea and distributing it to the most vulnerable seniors in the community. Pigeon pea is a champion in the legume world. i.e. hardy, high in protein & fibre, plus a super dose of high quality fat.
Caretaker Residence
The caretaker residence construction project began in December of 2022. The project moved forward efficiently and effectively and is now completed.
The caretakers have moved into one side of the facility (much like a duplex), and several orphans & their caregiver have moved into the other side.
Mathone Project
The Road to Hope project in Mathone has grown from five starter hives to twenty. The students are very active in their beekeeping practice. Mid-February 2023 will see a final follow up day for our team to complete the students’ training by coaching them through their first honey harvest.
Midwives for Haiti Project
The proposal and budget for this project have been completed – currently on hold until Midwives for Haiti is ready to commence.
Caretaker contracts
Caretaker contracts for a three month probationary period were completed and signed in November of 2022. New year-long contracts have been entered into, to be renewed upon a yearly performance evaluation.
