From Nairobi to Nyakach

Morris, son of Mama Grace, spent his early childhood in the slums of Nairobi. At age 14, he and his mother relocated to the Nyakach constituency. Years later, as an adult, Morris joined VSO (Voluntary Service Organisation) and saw an opportunity to support his mother’s community. He helped secure funding for a community centre where locals could meet, train, and hold court.A women led group supported by MorrisMorris’s mum is a member of the Yie Kuom Winjo Kogola Women Group set up to support each other in self-sufficiency.The group saved up and, with some help from the Safaricom Foundation, bought their first 10 hives and created the Nyakach Sustainable Beekeepers group.

From Honey to Hair products

With Morris’s help, the Yie Kuom Winjo Kogola Women’s Group applied for beekeeping training from Bees Abroad. Today, these women are not only fully fledged beekeepers but have a local brand of beeswax-based beauty products.As well as honey money, the group are generating in income from ‘value-added’ products – turning beeswax in to products like creams and balms. Following training from Bees Abroad, the group are making moisturising creams and shea butter hair products, which sell for a good price. Morris has helped them design labels, and the women sell these items within the community, building their own local brand.

Investing the 'honey money'

The women’s group have ideas and ambitions beyond beekeeping. They are putting their earnings back into projects that benefit their community.The group uses a “merry-go-round” banking system, pooling funds to support each other. With their next round of honey money, they plan to buy an egg incubator and start a chicken-keeping project—another step toward financial stability.Morris now works with One Acre Fund in another town but he’s still helping his mum’s village by selling honey through his own contacts. Together, they’re showing what’s possible through Community Spirit and determination.