In the serene village of Uhu, in West Are’are, Malaita Province, Anna Koreia has unlocked a transformative path through beekeeping. Since she began in 2016, Anna’s journey has been a testament to determination, resilience, and hope.

Despite a myriad of challenges, she has worked tirelessly to support her family and uplift her community. Anna ventured into beekeeping with a compelling goal: to provide for her family and give her two children a brighter future.

In rural areas, income opportunities are often scarce, but beekeeping represented a viable way for Anna to earn money while remaining close to home and her loved ones. From 2016 to 2018, Anna’s relentless commitment to her bees led to remarkable success.

She adeptly managed her hives, harvested honey, and sold it within her local community. Over those two years, Anna earned an astonishing $12,000 from her beekeeping endeavors, allowing her to pay for her children’s school fees—an accomplishment that filled her with pride and hope.

She was dedicated to providing her children with an education that could pave the way for a more promising future. Just when it seemed that Anna’s hard work was paying off, unforeseen challenges emerged. Between 2018 and 2020, heavy rains ravaged her village, damaging her hives.

Compounding her difficulties was an invasion of aggressive Asian bees, which disrupted her operations and outcompeted her local bees. Without the necessary knowledge or resources to confront these issues, Anna watched her flourishing business collapse.

Her hives ceased producing honey, and the critical income disappeared, placing an immense strain on her family. The loss of her beekeeping income made it increasingly difficult for Anna to afford her children’s education and meet essential needs.

Heartbroken and defeated, Anna grasped that giving up was not an option; her children’s futures hung in the balance, and she was their only hope. In 2023, Anna learned about a beekeeping workshop in a nearby village.

This workshop was specifically designed to empower farmers like her to enhance their skills and overcome obstacles in beekeeping. Anna eagerly attended the training, which equipped her with crucial insights on safeguarding her hives from pests, boosting honey production, and effectively managing her bees.

The workshop proved to be a pivotal moment for Anna, revealing that with the right education, she could rebuild her business and avoid previous pitfalls. Energized by what she learned, Anna returned to Uhu and implemented her newfound knowledge.

She committed to checking her hives regularly, protecting them from adverse weather, and creating the ideal conditions for her bees to thrive. Gradually, her dedication began to bear fruit. Her hives regained their productivity, and she started harvesting honey again.

Each jar represented not just financial gain, but also progress toward a brighter future for her family. With her business back on track, Anna could again afford her children’s school fees, bringing her immeasurable joy and relief. Her hard work was once more ensuring their education and future success.

Anna’s journey has been marked by community involvement; she is an active member of the Bee Farmers Association, a local group dedicated to promoting beekeeping in the region. This association serves as a vital platform for knowledge-sharing among beekeepers, offering Anna the support and encouragement she needs to persevere.

Anna admitted that Winrock assisted with tools through the association. Today, Anna Koreia stands not only as a beekeeper but as an inspiring role model in Uhu village. Her story motivates others to pursue their dreams despite the challenges they face. With a passion for sharing knowledge, Anna teaches fellow villagers about the numerous benefits of beekeeping.

Her husband, Peter Channel, expressed pride in Anna’s accomplishments.

Beekeeping trainer Rex Ramoeau highlighted the significance of such training programs, stating that it’s rewarding to see impacts on people.

“Beekeeping is a viable business for rural people because it’s cost-effective and can be quite profitable.”

Anna’s journey is a powerful narrative of resilience, hope, and the having the zeal to continue. Through hard work and determination, she has turned beekeeping into not just a livelihood but a means to support her family, inspire her community, and build a better future.

As Anna nurtures her bees and harvests honey, she is not merely sweetening her life; she is creating a ripple effect of empowerment and hope for everyone around her.