Impact Study and Status of Houston Students USA Project Jan-Dec 2014

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           Contents    Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 2  

Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 3  

Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 3  

Data Compilation and Analysis ................................................................................................... 4  

Study Findings ............................................................................................................................... 4  

A. Honey Production, Income Generation and Utilization ................................................... 4  

B. Access to Education, Health and Food .............................................................................. 5  

Challenges Faced ........................................................................................................................... 6  

Learning Experience ..................................................................................................................... 6  

Conclusion and Recommendations .............................................................................................. 6  

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 Introduction  

 Hashoo   Foundation   (HF)   Pakistan   in   collaboration   with   HF   USA   implemented   a   ‘Plan   Bee’  project  in  the  Gilgit-­‐Baltistan  region  funded  by  Houston  Students  USA  (HS  USA).  The  overall  goal  of   the  project  was   to   increase  the   income  of  20  poor  women  through  the  sale  of  honey.  The  women   were   trained   in   honey   bee   farming,   60   beehives   (3   each)   and   production   kits   were  distributed   among   the   new   beekeepers.   HF   works   with   these   beneficiaries   to   ensure   the  effective   utilization   of   the   training   and   its   contribution   towards   the   improvement   of   their  household.    The  project  began  in  January  2014  and  concluded  in  December  2014.          

         Figure 1 Group work during the Basic Training of Honey Bee Farming at Gilgit Baltistan  

Considering  the  previous  success  of  working  in  groups,  HF  supported  the  beneficiaries  to  form  a  honey  business  group  named  “Sumbul  Honey  Business  Group”.  One  of  the  main  achievements  of  the  group  was  the  development  of  their  own  brand  “Sumbul  Pure  Natural  Honey”.            

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An  assessment  was  conducted  to  follow  up  and  find  out  the  status  of  the  project.  

Objectives  1. To  ascertain  the  overall  effectiveness  of  the  HS  USA  project  implemented  in  Gilgit-­‐Baltistan.    2. To  find  out  the  issues  and  challenges  faced  by  the  beneficiaries.  3. To  learn  and  recommend  suggestions  for  future  utilization.  

Methodology  This  study  followed  a  diverse  approach  where  qualitative  and  quantitative  methods  were  used  for  data  collection.  A  questionnaire  was  developed  and  Focus  Group  Discussions   (FGDs)  were  conducted   to   collect   data   from   the   honey   business   group.   The   regional   team,   comprising   of  Monitoring,   Evaluation,   Accountability   and   Learning   (MEAL)   and   Enterprise   Development  Program   (EDP)   officer,   collected   and   compiled   the   data,  whereas   analysis   and   reporting  was  done  by  HF  core  MEAL  unit.    

Figure 2 Focus Group Discussion with beneficiaries  

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Data  Compilation  and  Analysis  The   data   was   collected   through   FGDs   and   imputed   manually.   This   data   was   verified   and  organized  thematically  to  bring  out  the  achievements,  issues  and  challenges.    The  study  findings  and  analysis  were  prepared  by  narrating  the  highlights  of  the  business  group,  which  ultimately  provided  the  analysis  of  the  implemented  project.      The  overall  analysis  of  the  research  study  depicted  the  following  results:  

Study  Findings   A.  Honey  Production,  Income  Generation  and  Utilization    Women   Empowerment   through   Honey   Bee   Farming   “Plan   Bee”   Project   was   implemented   in  2014.   The   group  was   able   to   produce   572   lbs   (260   kgs)   honey   and   the   total   income  was  US  $2,600.  The  beneficiaries  stated  that  shifting  the  beehives  on  time  during  winter  season  could  increase   the  production  of  honey.  Moreover,   they  mentioned   that   the  beehives  were   shifted  late  during  the  winter  season  due  that  the  bees  were  attacked  by  the  drones  (wild  bees).    An  unfavorable  weather  condition  was  another  contributing  factors   in  the  reduction  of  beehives,  which  led  to  less  production  of  honey.          

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10%  5%  

80%  

5%  

Income  Ublizabon  Trend  

Food   Health   EducaJon   Others  

 Moreover,  the   income  utilization  trend  showed  a  very  high  concentration  on  ‘education’  than  to  food  and  health.      

B.    Access  to  Education,  Health  and  Food    63   children   were   enrolled   in   school  during   the   project,   of   which   12  children   changed   their   schools   for  better  education.      Regarding   the   ‘food   pattern   change’  respondents   revealed,   lesser  production   of   honey;   the   major  portion   of   income   was   spent   on  education,   which   was   their   first  priority.   Therefore,   the   food   pattern  of   beneficiaries   almost   remained   the  same.          

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“Working in group has made me social and confident. …………I am happy that I am part of the group”

(Expressed by a group member)

Regarding  the  beneficiaries’  involvement  in  ‘decision-­‐making’,  mostly  stated  that,  they  are  now  involved   in   the   school   selection   for   their   children,   household   grocery   shopping,   and   other  domestic  matters.      One  of  the  beneficiaries  expressed  that:  “(…)  previously  at  household  level,  I  was  involved  in  few  domestic  decisions..  With  this  project,  I  am  getting  exposure  and  in  future  I  may  become  part  of  more  important  decisions  at  household  level….”    During  FGDs,   the  beneficiaries  expressed   that,  before   the  project   they  were   limited   to  house  chores.  Now,  they  have  the  opportunity  to  meet  people,  their  social   interaction  has  increased  while   working   in   the   honey   business   group.   The   beneficiaries   further   anticipated   that   this  project   would   not   only   contribute   in   their   families’   economy   in   the   future,   but   also   provide  awareness  about  running  their  micro-­‐enterprise.    

 Challenges  Faced    ! Shifting  of  beehives  being  highly  risky  and  costly.  ! Attack  of  drones  (wild  beehives)  killed  the  honey  bees,  which  effected  production.  ! Unfavorable  weather  condition.  

Learning  Experience  ! Timely  shifting  of  beehives  locally  as  well  as  

to   down   country   could   increase   production  and  reduce  risks.  

! Precautionary   measures   and   know-­‐how  about  bee  diseases  could  reduce  the  loss  of  bees.  

Conclusion  and  Recommendations  On  the  basis  of  physical  observations  and  analytical  review  of  both  quantitative  and  qualitative  data,  following  are  few  recommendations  for  future  utilization:  ! A  constant  follow-­‐up  and  refresher  course  of  this  newly  established  honey  business  group  

by  the  technical  program  team  would  help  the  group  to  update  their  knowledge  and  utilize  it  more  efficiently.    

! Interaction  of  the  new  group  with  the  established  honey  business  groups  will  help  the  new  beekeepers  learn,  share  and  exchange  information  with  experienced  beekeepers.  

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