00:01Today we're in the village of Rusayo, just north of Goma,
00:05where Debra Zarubara, known as the Queen of Bees, is making her rounds.
00:10With her protective gear at the ready, she's here to check on her hives
00:14and show the farmers she mentors around her business, green community mind, Grecom.
00:21After suiting up, Debra explains what's important.
00:25From bottom to top, it's closed.
00:31So if any bees try to swarm the beekeeper, they're stopped and can't sting.
00:39It's very important to wear this outfit.
00:43It's an essential tool for the beekeeper.
00:49Once she's got her protective gear on, Debra lights a smoker,
00:53a critical tool for calming the bees and making them less aggressive.
00:58Unlike traditional methods, which relied on burning wood,
01:01Debra opts for eco-friendly materials, like cow dung.
01:07Today the DRC has more than 20,000 beekeepers,
01:10the vast majority in North Kivu, where they manage more than 23,000 hives.
01:16In Rusayo, Debra supervises dozens of beekeepers, like Bakale Bashuka,
01:26who now maintains hundreds of hives and expects to harvest over 200 litres of honey.
01:32As beekeepers, we have a considerable responsibility to protect the environment.
01:40So we hope we'll continue to receive assistance.
01:46Before receiving Debra's training, many beekeepers relied on traditional methods that harmed the environment.
01:51Bee colonies often got destroyed when honey was harvested.
01:55Thanks to modern hives introduced as a result of her mentorship,
01:58their work is now easier, more productive and sustainable.
02:02Debra continues to advise small producers, showing them that beekeeping can provide a stable income and foster self-sufficiency.
02:13Beekeeping is one of the professions you do with passion, the professions that help you to combat stress but are also profitable.
02:24Beekeeping companies often have good international or national reputations.
02:29I like to share my knowledge with others, with my co-workers, and what I like most is to share my knowledge about beekeeping.
02:38Debra has trained more than 1,000 beekeepers so far.
02:41She's also empowering women to join the field, debunking cultural myths that discourage their participation.
02:52Ladies, don't let yourselves be put off from approaching us.
02:56I'm a woman like you. I face the bees, and even if they sting me, I don't give up.
03:02We're here to raise your awareness about beekeeping, and today we're going to show you how it's done.
03:07In a region plagued by conflict and economic instability, Debra stresses that beekeeping can offer families sustainable income and food security.
03:18When more women are involved in an initiative, it tends to be more sustainable.
03:27That's why I focus on encouraging women to take up beekeeping, especially since our culture often discourages them from entering this field.
03:38I also highlight the economic, social and ecological benefits of beekeeping.
03:47Debra also trains staff from organizations like INPP, the National Institute for Vocational Education and Training, equipping them to teach beekeeping skills to others.
04:05At Debra's honey processing lab, her team produces up to 500 jars a day of asali ya kivu, which translates as honey from kivu in English.
04:19The brand is highly sought after.
04:24I have to make sure that everything is done as well as it should be, with great care.
04:32Particularly given that honey is used for therapeutic purposes, and of course it also has to meet customer expectations.
04:47Debra's company, Grecom, has received numerous awards. Many women have got involved in apiculture under her guidance, and Debra continues to encourage more and more of them to chase their beekeeping dream.
Comments