23401 Sinoni Kusini Street, Monduli, Arusha, Tz, P. O. Box 10006.

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New Beekeeping Project in Naitolia Village

March 16, 2025

 

FOREWORD

In October 2024, a delegation from Savannah Vision Tanzania (SVTa) visited Naitolia village in Naiti Ward, Monduli District, to assess potential community development initiatives. During this visit, the team conducted a meeting at the village office followed by a comprehensive tour of the ward. It became evident that beekeeping, given its alignment with the local environment, would be a valuable and sustainable economic activity for the community.

In November 2024, Mr. Thomas Reuben engaged with the Department of Natural Resources at the Monduli District Council to explore the possibility of establishing a modern beekeeping project aimed at uplifting marginalized households in Naiti Ward. Following discussions with the head of the Natural Resources Department and the Beekeeping Officer, the project received strong endorsement, and Naitolia village was identified as the ideal starting point.

At SVTa, we undertook extensive discussions regarding the project requirements. A budget of USD 7,000 was determined for the 2025 financial year to cover the purchase of 40 modern beehives, transportation, equipment such as wires, and other necessary accessories. The budget also accounted for capacity-building seminars for the beneficiary households, as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the project’s progress. With no initial funding secured, we reached out to various partners and supporters to help finance this crucial community development project.

COLLABORATION WITH MS. JUDY THOMPSON

In 2024, Ms. Judy Thompson visited Monduli Teachers Training College and Sakura Girls Secondary School, where she conducted training on Effective Learning and Student-Centered Teaching Strategies. Both Mr. Marcky Ruben and I, as faculty members at Monduli Teachers and Sakura Girls School, shared details of our nonprofit organization with Ms. Thompson. She expressed strong support for our initiatives.

In January 2025, Mr. Thomas Reuben approached Ms. Thompson to seek her assistance in raising funds for the Naitolia beekeeping initiative. Recognizing the project’s potential, Ms. Thompson generously undertook a fundraising campaign, successfully raising a total of CAD 3,350. These funds were instrumental in securing the 40 modern beehives, as well as the necessary accessories and logistical support for the project’s launch. We are deeply grateful for Ms. Thompson’s unwavering commitment to the cause.

NAITOLIA VILLAGE OVERVIEW

Naitolia village, located within Naiti Ward, Monduli District, is strategically positioned along the major trunk road connecting to Dodoma and in proximity to both Tarangire and Manyara National Parks. The region is characterized by tropical savannah vegetation and receives an annual rainfall of approximately 650mm. The climate is predominantly warm to hot year-round, creating favorable conditions for beekeeping.

POPULATION AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES

Naitolia village has a population of 2,464, with 1,288 women and 1,176 men, spread across 472 households. The primary economic activities in the village are nomadic pastoralism and subsistence farming. Livestock such as indigenous cows, goats, sheep, donkeys, and poultry are commonly raised, while crops such as maize and beans are cultivated for food and trade.

LOGISTICS AND TRAVEL TO NAITOLIA VILLAGE

On March 15, 2025, following extensive preparations, the SVTa team embarked on a journey to Naitolia village. We departed from our office in Walemavu, Monduli at 8:20 AM and arrived at the village office at 10:26 AM.

OUR TEAM

The SVTa team accompanying the initiative included:

  1. Mr. Thomas Reuben – Team Leader, Executive Director, and Driver
  2. Ms. Grace Paulo – Literacy Coordinator and Cashier
  3. Mr. Marcky Ruben – Director of Projects, SVTa
  4. Mr. Brown – Trainer from the Department of Natural Resources
  5. Mr. Zebedayo Silangei – Truck Driver
  6. Mr. John  Bayo– Truck Assistant

LOGISTICAL PREPARATIONS

The following logistics were organized to facilitate the visit and project execution:

  1. A 7-ton truck to transport the 40 beehives and accessories to Naitolia village.
  2. A smaller vehicle for SVTa staff and the project facilitator.
  3. A secure arrangement with the village leadership to ensure smooth project implementation.

ENGAGEMENT WITH VILLAGE LEADERSHIP

Upon arrival at the village office, we were greeted by the Village Secretary and Chairman, where we formally introduced ourselves and signed the visitors’ register. The village Chairman provided an update on the preparations made for the project’s launch.

UNLOADING AND DISTRIBUTION OF HIVES

The team unloaded the beehives from the truck, ensuring all equipment was handled with care, and no damage occurred. Following this, we proceeded with the distribution of the hives to 10 selected households. Each household was represented by the head of the household, either the father or mother, who attended training sessions and received the beehives for their family’s use.

INTRODUCTION TO SAVANNAH VISION TANZANIA

During the meeting, Mr. Thomas Reuben, the Executive Director of SVTa, provided an overview of the organization’s mission and its impact in rural, marginalized communities. SVTa’s initiatives primarily focus on:

  1. Supporting access to quality education.
  2. Promoting economic empowerment.
  3. Advancing sustainable ecosystems and environments.
  4. Fostering strategic partnerships.

CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

The capacity-building session was led by Mr. Brown, a trained expert from the Department of Natural Resources. He conducted a comprehensive training session for 20 participants from the 10 selected households. The training covered the critical importance of beekeeping as a sustainable economic activity, the ecological role of pollination, and best practices for modern beekeeping techniques.

DISTRIBUTION OF HIVES

The following households received beehives:

  1. Agness Isaya and Isaya Mungaya Household (4 hives, 6 members, Oimang’uai Street)
  2. Nemburis Sangale (widowed) (4 hives, 10 members, Engusero Street)
  3. Singoi Lodenanga and Nesikar Singoi Household (4 hives, 8 members, Ormang’uai Street)
  4. Kikumoi Lomarai and Namelok Kikumoi Household (4 hives, 9 members, Engusero Street)
  5. Notwart Wanga (widowed) (4 hives, 9 members, Ormang’uai Street)
  6. Joyce Loshipay (widowed) (4 hives, 8 members, Ormang’uai Street)
  7. Janeth and Jackson Kivuyo Household (4 hives, 9 members, Engusero Ward)
  8. Saraiyan Silamoi and Joyce Saraiyan Household (4 hives, members, Ormang’uai Street)
  9. Taretoi Parsalau Household (4 hives, 6 members, location TBD)
  10. Sambweti Saning’o and Elizabeth Sambweti Household (4 hives, 10 members, Engusero Street)

GROUP PHOTO

We took a group photograph before departure. the villagers thanked us for the new initiatives for village community.

 

RETURN TO MONDULI

After completing our activities in Naitolia, we proceeded back to Monduli, arriving at 7:30 PM.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Judy Thompson for her exemplary support and dedication to the Naitolia beekeeping initiative. This project stands as a testament to her commitment to community development. Additionally, we thank Mr. George Pace and Mr. Phil Garner for their continued support of the work undertaken by Savannah Vision Tanzania.

CONCLUSION

The launch of the Integrated Beekeeping Project in Naitolia village represents a significant step toward improving the livelihoods of local households and enhancing sustainable environmental practices. Through the collective effort of SVTa and our partners, this initiative will foster long-term economic empowerment and contribute to the well-being of the community.