“I started with local hives. Buy I realized those hives get damaged quickly. So I graduated to using improved hives. I was motivated because I saw the returns from bee keeping. Plus the training that Honey Pride brought for us and also the hives you gave to us on loan.”
The Life as Beekeeper
Who belongs to your family / who is living with you?
My name is Ndema Nixon, but people call me Akuma Nixon. I am married. I have three wives and I have children. We are about 12 in the family
How has beekeeping changed your life?
Yes, beekeeping has changed my life. I am a teacher, so besides my salary, I get income from beekeeping. That has helped me support my family a lot. Honey has market, both locally and internationally. So, I think it is a good project as you grow old because of less hard work.
How do you provide a good environment for your bees?
I clear the areas around and make sure it is clean. Since this is a forest area, there are plenty of species for the bees. Since this is a forest area, there are plenty of species for the bees.
What do trees mean to you and how can they be protected?
Trees are useful to us. If you look at trees they have many uses. You can get timber, fruits firewood etc. Trees also provide shade and fresh air. So, trees really mean a lot to me but to people generally. People destroy trees for survival. To burn charcoal, sell as firewood etc.
If local Government could introduce income generating projects and schemes, people would not destroy trees. So, that would be one sustainable way to protect trees.
What is the most important thing in your life?
The most important things in my life are low cost ventures. I don’t want to incur a lot of costs. That is why I like bee keeping. Tree planting also has fewer expenses. And trees make the environment beautiful.
What are your biggest challenges and how do you plan to overcome them?
The biggest challenge we have here is theft. It has become a serious problem, but we are on the look out. It may be difficult to overcome that problem. However, I have already informed the local authorities, and should I get that person, they will face the local courts.
What do you like to do in your free time?
During my free time I check on the projects, plan my school lessons etc
Which place would you like to see once?
I would like to go to Netherlands to see those bees that do not sting people. I really wanted to see those bees. How that is possible is what I don’t understand. It sounds amazing. Our bees here are terrible. They even find a way to enter the bee suit to sting.