Guiding Hope Verina Ingram, Director

Apiculture in Cameroon NVB Den Haag 10 November 2015

WHERE WE WORK

Bamenda highlands

Adamaoua savannah

WHO WE ARE Guiding Hope (Guide d’Espoir) Cameroonian

enterprise

Founded in 2005, incorporated in 2007

Our mission is to develop environmentally and socially responsible, fair yet profitable trade of apiculture products

Hive products: Organic honey, beeswax & propolis

By-products: Soaps, candles, creams etc.

Business Model

Strategy to guide producers with information and training,

ensuring fair prices, and

access new, near and distant market opportunities

we ultimately aim to assure the relay between disadvantaged producers of high-value apiculture products and equitable markets.

Our philosophy

PEOPLE

PLANET PROFIT

Commitment to sustainability

Economic: take a value chain approach to ensure fair prices & salaries

Social: work closely with our supplier communities to empower & equip them and ensure their needs are addressed in our activities; setting up GH foundation

Environmental: production processes strictly organic & environmentally sustainable; engage in reforestation and conservation activities

APICULTURE: HOW WE DO IT

Adamaoua savanna

hives

Bamenda highlands

Traditional hives

and modern

Collecting bamboo for hive production

Opportunistic

Higher quantity

propolis

Wild harvest

Harvesting

Harvesting

Traditional and modern

Problems

Wax – small scale

Wax production

Wax production

Wax – large scale

Wax – large scale

Storage

Quality control

Filtering HMF Record keeping for traceability

Collection center inauguration with village suppliers, March 2009

Quality and marketing

Conducting market research Work with government and sector representatives

gain access for Cameroon to export markets create national standards for honey production & quality establish accountability for apiculture sector

Obtained Organic, Ethical Trade certification and Community Trade (Body Shop) for our products

Lobby for Cameroon honey rights: formed Cameroon Union of Exporters of Apiculture Products and Apiculture Interprofession, Apitrade Africa

Processing

Products

Transport !

Certified organic production

Best beekeeping practices with minimal impact

Raising awareness of forage sources

Forest protection

Planting & regeneration - hive materials

Footprint & Environmental Impact Assessment

Reducing fuel inputs and waste streams

Collaborate with others – learn & share

Environmental aspects

Community reforestation

Afforestation

Guiding Hope in the Netherlands

Merci!

guidinghope@yahoo.fr

www.guidinghope.com

“Pa” Paul Nzegha Mzeka,

Director, Apiculture and Nature Conservation Organization

UN Forest Hero 2011