Bee Skills & Bright Futures

Blog by Jenny Handley

Posted: 3 September 2025

Imagine a world where leaving school means facing a lifetime of unemployment. Where, if you are deaf, visually impaired, or living with a disability, opportunities are so scarce that you are expected to depend on others forever. This is the reality for many young people in Uganda today.

Francis starting another batch of propolis tincture.

Studies show that cultural perceptions cause people with disabilities to be denied the opportunity to inherit family land resulting in employment being scarce, land for farming is limited, and many young people leave school with no clear direction or hope of earning a living. Francis, a visually impaired graduate stated; “I used to wait for help from people”.

But now at Mbale Secondary and Vocational School for the Deaf, we have been working with students to change this story and to lift these barriers.

By introducing beekeeping and beekeeping equipment skills from carpentry to tailoring into their vocational training, we are opening up new opportunities in an industry that is growing and in need of skilled workers.

Tailoring students learning to make a bee suit

Carpentry students learning to make top-bar hives

Building skills

Tailoring students are learning how to make protective bee suits. Carpentry students are constructing top-bar hives. These are practical skills in high demand across Uganda, where beekeepers urgently need reliable equipment.

One student explained the difference these new skills make:

“This equipment is not common compared to other skills we learn as part of the syllabus. Everywhere carpenters, tailors and welders compete because everyone making the same things which makes business not profitable. With these new skills we shall make good money.”

– Student from Mbale Secondary and Vocation School for the Deaf.

And it’s already happening. Mbale School recently secured a contract from a local business to make 20 top-bar hives, earning UGX 1,600,000 (around £350). This is proof that students can not only learn these skills but also turn them into real income.

Building hives for the training apiary

Beekeeping lessons in the training apiary

A path to independence

By training in beekeeping and learning to make equipment, students also gain the tools to set up their own beekeeping enterprises, leading them to produce honey, wax, and other products that provide steady income while protecting the environment. These skills are invaluable for self-esteem and empowerment giving these young people with disabilities knowledge, a sense of pride, achievement and giving them a role in their community that is respected.

After his training, Francis stated, “Now I provide for myself and buy whatever I need. I also now eat honey which wasn’t possible in the past. I also invest money in farming, and I am known as a beekeeper in the community”.

With support from our partner TUNADO, students can access internships, employment opportunities, and markets for their products. Teachers are trained too, ensuring that future generations benefit from these opportunities.

With your support we will:

Teach 100 more students with disabilities the skills of beekeeping and hive management, creating opportunities for sustainable livelihoods.
Establish 2 new school training apiaries, giving students and teachers hands-on experience in real apiary management.
Provide vocational training in carpentry and tailoring, enabling students to make top-bar beehives and protective bee suits, products in high demand locally creating a valuable income
Train 4 vocational school teachers to deliver inclusive, practical beekeeping education

How you can help

By supporting this campaign, you are giving young people in Uganda more than skills, you are giving them dignity, income, and independence. You are helping them build a future where they can thrive while caring for the environment.

Every £1 you give will be doubled to £2 instantly doubling your impact