Buzz Clubs with the Queens of Bees
Blog by Imogen Astley Jones
Posted: 12 September 2023
Buzz Club Ghana is Bees for Development Ghana’s maiden project, educating school children about pollinators, the role of bees in food production, and biodiversity conservation. The children are taught about sustainable beekeeping and develop their entrepreneurial skills; some use the beekeeping knowledge they gain to help fund their education and support their families.
Beekeeping Extension Agents Clara, Rejoice and Florence are pictured above with one of Donkorkrom’s Buzz Clubs, where they were able to share the knowledge gained through training with Bees for Development Ghana. They also act as role models to school children, especially girls, to become independent beekeepers.
Rejoice says, “We had the opportunity to interact with one Buzz Club so far and it was amazing. I was surprised by the volume of knowledge these little ones have about bees and their understanding of how the bees work. They tried to put all they have learnt into songs and drama, which made them remember the things they were taught. Both the teachers and the students were excited to have us interact with them and teach them. They promised to continue learning about the bees and spreading what they have learned.”
Clara, Rejoice and Florence were welcomed by the Buzz Club in Donkorkrom, where students and teachers were excited to learn more about beekeeping – and show off their creativity by performing bee-themed songs. The students regularly get to try their hands at beekeeping in the school apiary, and even harvest and process their own honey and beeswax.
Buzz Club students perform songs and plays to help them remember what they've learned.
Buzz Clubs involve both classroom-based and practical sessions.
Buzz Clubs have knock-on benefits for the community, as students educate their family and friends about the importance of bees as pollinators and honey producers, and the benefits of sustainable beekeeping. Clara says, “Teaching beekeeping to children helps them support themselves and also teach their siblings and friends how to successfully keep bees and make a good income. As the knowledge of beekeeping is being transferred to several generations, I believe the rate of occurrence of social vices in societies will be reduced.”
Rejoice says, “The buzz club students share the knowledge they receive with their families and friends, spreading the knowledge about the bees and how we must all protect them. Teaching these children about bees enhances their understanding of the ecosystems and biodiversity. These children will turn out to be environmentally conscious and very responsible.”
We currently have ten Buzz Clubs with over 200 students enrolled in Donkorkrom, Afram Plains and we’re excited to announce we are raising funds to add five new Buzz Clubs. To learn more and support our “Buzzing Back To School” campaign, click the button below:
