Snakebite and civil war survivor uses honey to heal wounds
Story
Tamba was treated for an ulcer at Masanga Hospital, and now works there full time as a wound dressing specialist.
Recounted by Dr Kwame Aidoo
As a young man, Tamba helped his father on their farm in Sierra Leone until civil war broke out.
Their farm was attacked by rebels and his father was killed. Tamba managed to escape into the forest where a bite from a black cobra added to his misfortunes. Helpless and numb, he was rescued by some village members who took him home to receive first aid.
Tamba was taken to Freetown Government Hospital for treatment, but the ulcer left by the bite refused to heal. He tried several medications which did not help, until doctors at Masanga Hospital used a honey dressing which improved the ulcer rapidly, enabling a skin graft and full recovery.
Just as his treatment finished, quarantine rules due to a widespread Ebola outbreak left him stuck at Masanga hospital. Tamba used his time helping out at the wound clinic, working hard and to the admiration of the doctors. He was subsequently trained and is now employed full time in the hospital as a wound dressing specialist. He is very happy and passionate with his work and especially the use of honey for dressing wounds.
Tamba enjoyed beekeeping training with Bees for Development which is enabling the staff and local villagers around Masanga to supply good honey to the clinic.
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People people with disabilities in extreme poverty helped to earn their income from honey
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Disability specific techniques designed, trialed and implemented with input from people with disabilities
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Beekeeping learning centres where other people with disabilities can come and learn about disability adapted beekeeping techniques
The Power of Bees. Bees offer a wonderful way to help people in extreme poverty. Bees do not need to be fed: they find their own food and water. Simple hives can be well made from locally available materials, and bees are freely available from nature. Beekeeping is even possible for people with no land of their own. It offers a feasible livelihood option, with good markets for honey and beeswax.
Bees for Development fights chronic poverty by targeting the most disadvantaged groups: single women, young people, families without land or other assets, and people with disabilities. We help people like Jennifer obtain bees, establish apiaries, and develop profitable beekeeping enterprises.
