Credit

& Enterprise Development (CED) for Women Beekeepers of Northern Pakistan

PROJECT REPORT

December 2013

CONTENTS
Contents Acronyms Project Summary Hashoo Foundation Overview Background Mountain Honey Awards and Recognitions Project Overview Objectives Goal Implementation Strategy Steps Overview of the Offshoots for Years 2010-2013 Plan Bee Devastated by the Floods Distribution of New Beehives Phase 2 Phase 3 Impact UST SEP Credit & Enterprise Development Program Outcomes Challenges Faced Mitigating Strategy Conclusion Organizational Structure and Capacity 2 3 4 5 6 10 11 11 12 12 14 14 19 20 23 24 26 27 29 29 33 33 34

ACRONYMS
CBD EDP HF GB ISO MoU NGO PCSIR RMCL UST SEP Credit and Enterprise Development Enterprise Development Program Hashoo Foundation Gilgit-Baltistan International Standard Organization Memorandum of Understanding Non-Governmental Organization Pakistan Council of Scientic & Industrial Research Revolving Micro Credit Loan University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program

P R O J E C T S U M M A R Y
PROJECT TITLE Credit and Enterprise Development (CED) for Women Beekeepers of Northern Pakistan Hashoo Foundation University of Saint Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (UST SEP) Oshikhandass, Danyore, Mohd Abad, Mominabad in District Hunza and Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan 100 women 800 family members out of which 250 children are expected to have access to education Ali Akbar, Country Director, HF-Pakistan Aqeel Nawaz Khan, Director- Programs, HF- Pakistan Cristal Montaz Baylor, Executive Director, HF-USA Kamal Uddin BJ Shams & HF-Gilgit Team Three years (January 2010- December 2013) Extended until completion US $20,000 US $13,000 US $7,000 Pakistan

IMPLEMENTING PARTNER FUNDED BY

AREA OF IMPLEMENTATION

TOTAL DIRECT BENEFICIARIES TOTAL INDIRECT BENEFICIARIES

OVERALL MANAGEMENT

TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROJECT MANAGER IMPLEMENTING TEAM PROJECT DURATION

PROJECT BUDGET FUNDS RECEIVED FUNDS PENDING COUNTRY

Hashoo Foundation (HF) is a progressive and dynamic non-prot organization, leading the way in human development and poverty alleviation by implementing viable economic development, educational and capacity-building programs in Pakistan since 1988. The Foundation is also focused on the needs of special children and provides care and support services to the less privileged and vulnerable members of society.

Vision
Hashoo Foundations vision is of an ethical, equitable, inclusive and progressive society in which people live with dignity and have power over their own lives.

Mission
Hashoo Foundations mission is to enable and empower communities to be independent by facilitating equitable access to opportunities, through programs in four Core Programmatic Areas: economic development, education and skills development, supporting people with special needs, and providing emergency relief and social welfare.

Values
The Hashoo Foundation is inuenced by the Hashoo familys philosophy, and draws on the values of equity; inclusivity, transparency, innovation, integrity, respect and fulllment.

Core Programmatic Areas

The Hashoo Foundation works through direct delivery of services, and creating active partnerships. We believe that developments of programs are long-term investment. We recognize that it may take years - and sometimes decades - to achieve signicant positive changes in social indicators. The Hashoo Foundations long term work covers four main core program areas: 1. 2. 3. 4. Economic Development Education Skills development Humanitarian Assistance & Emergency Relief

The proposed Credit and Enterprise Development (CED) for Women Beekeepers of Northern Pakistan project falls under the economic development sector of the core programs, but also utilizes the expertise gained from implementing various skills development activities and leads to childrens education.

Registration and Accreditation

Operating throughout Pakistan, the Hashoo Foundation is expanding globally. The Foundation holds valid registration and accreditation: Pakistan Registered under Trust Act 1882 Registration No 661 Sub-Registrar T-Div II Karachi dated 16/07/1988. Certicate by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy No: PCP-RI/2006/17. Exempted from Taxes with approval by CBR under SRO 169(1)/2005 notied/published in Gazette of Pakistan dated 15/02/2005 under clause (3) of clause (58). External Auditors/Chartered Accountants: KPMG (Tahsir Hadi Chartered Accountants). USA Certied in the USA as 501(c) 3 non-prot organization non-prot organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code tax identication number 20-0748173. UK Certied vide Charity Commission 1116314.

BACKGROUND
The Hashoo Foundation is committed to long term human development and the creation of a sustainable environment to help facilitate economic empowerment of people in the remote areas of Pakistan, especially when it is possible to mobilize women in projects that generate income and assist them, and their families. The Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee was initiated by the Hashoo Foundation to empower women in the remote areas of Northern Pakistan by expanding employment opportunities and generating a stable source of income through the sale of high-quality honey. The project was originally proposed by Ms. Sarah Hashwani, an alumnus of the University of St. Thomas and chairperson of the Hashoo Foundation, as a practical way to address the discrepancy between male and female beekeepers by educating the women beekeepers and linking them to protable markets. This unique economic development activity was implemented in the rugged, mountainous region of Pakistan, where income-generating opportunities, especially for women, are rare. In addition, this area has high levels of poverty and illiteracy, which makes for a fertile ground for extremism and militancy.

The project started in Gilgit-Baltistan in early 2007 with the social mobilization of the beekeepers, mainly women, in an effort to form active viable associations. These associations were responsible for assisting the beekeepers with beehive management and honey extraction process. It was soon observed that training in modern beekeeping practices was needed and also guidance in the hygienic packaging of their pure mountain honey. The lifestyle of the beneciaries changed. They shifted from traditional house chores to being involved in many technical aspects of honey bee farming (extraction, harvesting, etc.); based on eld observation, female beekeepers have increased their productivity from 16 to 18 kg/ year/beehive (35.2 to 39.6 lbs/year/beehive). They are also involved in the production of bee wax and pollen as a by-product, albeit still marginal. Their production is sold both in and outside local markets. In a BBC World Challenge documentary, the women beekeepers and beneciaries revealed that they have gained skills which allowed them to supplement their income and better provide for their families. Also, they now feel more socially integrated in a male dominated society. They also felt that their children received better nutrition and education. They purchased new clothes and could afford small luxuries such as a TV set. They spent their additional income on education (60%); health (10%) and food (30%).

With the improved training and increased honey supply, marketing became another challenge. Hashoo Foundation, with the support of its marketing network and the Hashoo Group of Hotels, supported the women honey beekeepers by creating different packaging designs and branding the product. Today, more than 981 rural beekeepers have been given training in beekeeping and value chain development with an impact on more than 7,848 dependents. Courses that are taught in the local languages cover all aspects of beekeeping, including hive management, the extraction process, hygienic packaging, and transportation of beehives, logistics and marketing. Hashoo Foundation believes strong partnership will help in meeting organizational goal. Hashoo Foundation has partnerships with public and private organizations in Pakistan, USA and other countries. Hashoo Foundation continues to build bridges with innovative and dynamic partners and is currently working in Pakistan with: USAID, EU-DIPECHO, Reach Out To Asia, US State Department Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (BPRM), Church World Service (CWS), GTZ International Cooperation Enterprise for Sustainable Development, United Nations Ofce on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UNICEF, Citizenship Network Foreign Affairs (CNFA), HOPE87 Austrian Development Agency, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), Small Grants and Ambassadors Fund Program (SGAFP), Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF), among other agencies.

In the USA, Hashoo Foundation works in partnership with Chapelwood Foundation, Medical Bridges, Walmart Foundation, Rotary Books for the World Program, The Second Wind Foundation, Angels in Cowboy Boots, University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (UST SEP), Rice University Micro Finance (RMF), Micro Finance Initiave University of Houston (MFi UH), Klein Forest High School PISA, Sharpstown High School Senior Capstone Program, Lee High School Interact Club, Awty School, other organizations, and individuals, Hashoo Foundation has demonstrated: Ability to properly utilize and account for project funds. Ability and competence in project management/implementation. Commitment to achieving the donor and project goals. Professional approach to managing, monitoring and reporting project activities. Expressed willingness to work with government and other partners in the project. Solid on-site management Team dedicated to building the local capacity. Proven interest in achieving the project goals and achieving sustainability.

Key Achievements in Honey Bee Farming

Plan Bee project started in the Gilgit-Baltistan region with just 50 women in 2007. To date, the project has expanded its reach and impact to the Chitral, Hunza, Ghizer, Skardu and Mansehra in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, and has achieved some signicant milestones: 981 women trained in honey bee farming and value chain development. 3,600 beehives and 981 set of production kits distributed. 65,000 kg of honey produced and sold between 2007- 2013. 7,848 dependents obtained better nutrition, health and education. 1,300 girls and boys are now attending school as a result of this project. 44% of the women have managed to expand their honey bee farming business. 35% increase in womens household income. 60% of their income from honey bee farming spent on the education of their children. 10% spent on better nutrition for their families. 30% spent on healthcare expenses. Increased womens role in decision making. Decreased dependency on males. Promotion in collective decisions in the community.

Key Lessons Learned During Project Implementation

The project has been a source of constant learning and these lessons are helping us regularly improve the quality of Plan Bee project. Major lesson learned from this initiative include: The communities are willing to take charge of their own development, but they need awareness, mobilization, technical and nancial support. Value chain approach is extremely important for every business venture or enterprise, therefore, understanding and strengthening the value chain has to be an integral part of such a project. Initially, beekeepers were working independently which not only increased their transportation cost during shifting of beehives but also added to the risk of damaging the beehives. Establishment and strengthening of women business groups has proved to be good addition that has helped to improve the success of this enterprise. Availability of ora and fauna was another key factor for the projects success to date. The project was totally women-focused, which in the initial stages proved to be a problem as it was very difcult for women to manage their honey bee farming due to cultural hindrances. However, HF was able to overcome these hindrances through sustained mobilization of the community and with visible increase in income to a point where it is now an accepted norm for women to be engaged in such activities. Honey bee farming is very sensitive and risky business where production of honey is dependent on weather conditions, health of the bees and their number in each beehive and the fauna and ora. Selection process of the trainees is very crucial and important. HF experience shows that all who show an initial willingness to start honey business are not always able to follow through on their initial willingness. Hence only those who are genuinely interested should be taken on board.

M O U N T A I N H O N E Y
The Northern Areas and Chitral of Pakistan are clean and environmentally pure. The climate and ora of these two areas are ideally suited for honey bee farming. The abundance of Rubinia and Russian olive trees make these valleys an ideal place for honey production. Its products are free from all kinds of insecticides, pesticides and other chemicals thus giving honey a rich and natural taste. Such product purity is rare in the world so there is an enormous potential for promoting and marketing mountain honey in both the national and international markets.

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The honey is presently sold by the ve-star hotels (Marriott, Serena and Pearl Continental Hotels), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), grocery stores (D. Dalton, Shaheen, Canteen Supply Department), retail markets and Embassies and Ministries throughout Pakistan. The production of honey is still insufcient to generate income large enough to be re-invested in the community by investing in services. However, on an individual basis, the female producers have been able to increase their investment in services for their families, such as health, education and nutrition.

A W A R D S & R E C O G N I T I O N S
In 2008, Hashoo Foundations Womens Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee won BBC World Challenge Award among 700 organizations. This is the rst time a development project owned by an NGO from Pakistan has won this global competition. As a result, honey bee farming has become a popular micro enterprise and an important factor for economic sustainability among disadvantaged people in the mountainous areas of Pakistan. In 2007, the Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming project was featured and highlighted during the poverty alleviation session at the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative. Additionally, the project was selected among more than 1200 organizations as a Featured Commitment on the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) website during its 2008 Annual Meeting. In 2010, TEDx Houston/TED Talks published a video on Plan Bee. In 2012, the City of Houston presented Hashoo Foundation USA with the Jefferson Award for providing students in Houston with the opportunity to engage in sustainable economic as a tool to empower communities and alleviate poverty.

C R E D I T & E N T E R P R I S E D E V E L O P M E N T ( C E D ) P R O J E C T O V E R V I E W

Building upon Chairperson Sarah Hashwanis vision for Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee, Hashoo Foundation USA, under the leadership of Cristal Montaz Baylor, Executive Director, established a partnership with the University of Saint Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (UST SEP), former Micro Credit Program (UST MCP). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed August 27, 2009 for a three year commitment beginning in January 2010 and ending in December 2013. UST SEP committed to allocate $20,000 in Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) to 100 women beekeepers to support the expansion of the Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee- in terms of scale as well as geographic coverage.

In collaboration with University of Saint Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (UST SEP), with a new added component of Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL), the proposed project on Credit and Enterprise Development (CED) will help mobilize and organize communities into workable cluster based groups, increase the outreach and productivity, provide training in bee farming ensuring quality honey through improved processing facilities and related infrastructure, and facilitate market linkages for the sale of honey at higher competitive prices.

OBJECTIVES
The proposed CED Project for Women Beekeepers of Northern Pakistan has three broad objectives: 1. Extend the number of beneciaries of women beekeepers by adding 100 new women from the target communities of Northern Pakistan including Gilgit and Chitral over a period of 3 years (January 2010-December 2013). 2. Develop an integrated model of Credit and Enterprise Development deploying improved techniques in honey production translated into better standards and long-term business sustainability for the beneciaries of the project and to promote and replicate this model in other regions of Pakistan. 3. Enable the students of UST SEP to learn through their exposure visits related to the CED program, and gain rsthand experience of the effects of UST SEP while confronting the possible challenges this new form of economic activity may bring to the target communities. The projected outcome of this project was to develop a CED program that demonstrated a workable model in collaboration with UST SEP. This model also facilitated UST SEP students to learn various approaches and institutional mechanism for socio-economic development by making use of Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) as a tool for poverty alleviation.

GOAL
The original goal of the CED project was to deploy 100 women beneciaries in honey bee farming during a period of three years. The project provided a long term, sustainable means through Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) of $20,000 expanding the project with gradual increase up to 100 women headed households and their estimated 800 dependents in three phases as described below. The women were selected on the basis of baseline surveys administered by Hashoo Foundation.

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This initiative not only helped the foundation launch a pilot Credit and Enterprise Development project for honey bee farming but also enabled HF to take a step forward towards implementation of two of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women. Education.

Phase 1
UST SEP committed to provide $10,000 in November 2009 for the rst phase of the CED program. After completing the rst cycle of UST MCP loans to 20 women in 2010, the outreach will expand to another20 beneciaries with the same loan amount of $500 per woman.Total beneciaries will be 40 women.

Phase 2
UST SEP committed to $10,000 in November 2010 for the second phase of the CED program. After completing the rst cycle of UST MCP loans from the revolving fund provided under second phase to 20 women in the year (20102011), the outreach will expand to another 20 beneciaries with the same loan amount of $500 per woman. The total beneciaries in Phase 1 and Phase 2 will be 80 women.

Phase 3
Considering the loans from Phase 1 are returned 100%, then an additional 20 women will receive loans of $500. Thereby, total beneciaries will be 100 women by the end of the third year. Providing a solid base with Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) will help extend/replicate outreach of the program on a continual basis -with loan loss provision of 5 to 10% paid by the borrowers- through improved technological support, community mobilization, marketing linkages and networking resulting in higher production of quality honey supplemented with consistent sales through outlets inland as well as overseas whenever and wherever possible. Each $500 RMCL will provide training in beekeeping, ve (5) beehives, and the basic equipment a new beekeeper needs to initiate her own enterprise, including bee-suit, beekeeping gloves, bee smoker, hive tool, bee brush, uncapping knife, wax pan. The program will benet and impact the lives of an estimated 800 dependents.

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I M P L E M E N T A T I O N S T R AT E G Y
Building on the success of Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee, the proposed Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) helped expand and/or replicate the model by increasing the number of trained women, increasing honey production, promoting better use of technology, extending sales and marketing, developing networking and linkages in and outside the country, thus promoting economic enterprise as a way to help alleviate poverty. Partnership of UST MCP with HF was based on a resource sharing approach. RMCL was provided by UST MCP and implemented by HF-CED through its regional ofces in Gilgit, Chitral and Mansehra. The infrastructure for implementation of the project and technical support was provided by HFs core ofce established in Islamabad.

S T E P S T A K E N T O I M P L E M E N T T H E P R O J E C T Mobilization and Baseline Assessment

As Hashoo Foundation had existing beneciaries in Gilgit-Baltistan, a comprehensive assessment was performed to ensure that the target area selected was the most suitable for this intervention. The community and LSOs were involved in each step of the way in this process. The reasons for this exercise were to ensure that: There was no duplication or overlapping in the project area. Check if the motivational levels of the community were still high. Assess the selection of the village for new women honey beekeepers.

Selection of Beneciaries
The potential beneciaries of the project were rural women who gained social and economic empowerment that enabled them to improve their childrens education and increase the amount of productive assets at home. The following factors were considered: Recommended by Local Support Organizations (LSOs) Potential in the area for honey bee farming production. Level of motivation among potential beneciaries.

Development of Training Material

The Hashoo Foundation team applied its experience and and understanding of the needs of the communities to design training material to improve the honey production for new farmers. It also developed Honey Bee farming manuals and value chain

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development manuals for distribution amongst the trainees.

Training and Capacity Building

Master trainer was hired and training in the project area was conducted. The honey bee farming training duration was 1 week and the duration of the value chain development was 3 days. Each trainee underwent a 1 honey bee farming training session and 1 value chain development training session.

Procurement and Distribution of Beehives and Kits

200 beehives and production kits were procured and distributed among 40 women beekeepers from 2010-2013 after completion of Honey Bee farming and value chain development training.

Evaluation of Production / Income & Shifting Honey to Is lamabad

3,000 kg (6,600 lbs) of raw honey was collected from the beekeepers and transported to Islamabad for further processing, packaging and marketing.

Support in Marketing
Using its existing market linkages, HF sold the procured honey to Hashoo Group Hotels, Serena Hotel, recognized bakeries and foreign embassies through its Core Ofce in Islamabad. HF regional team purchased raw honey from the beneciaries and payment made at the door step of the beneciaries. Once honey is purchased and collected, all the raw honey transported to Islamabad for further processing and packaging of the honey. HF signed an agreement with Club Foods for the processing and packaging of the honey. Therefore, Club Foods processed and packaged the honey and delivered to HF for further marketing and sale.

Technical Assistance and Monitoring Visits

HFs regional team continuously paid monitoring visits to beneciaries and provided technical assistance when and where required regarding modern techniques of honey bee farming and value chain development.

Data Management
HF has well established Management Information System (MIS) section, which serves as an internal data management system and reporting unit of the organization. Beneciaries data is already being punched in our MIS and the project reports are in process of getting updated.

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Project Reporting
HF submitted annual progress reports for UST SEP in the month of December each year. HF also tracked the project activities on a monthly basis with the help of Activity Tracking Matrices (ATM) for internal reporting

S T E P S T O W A R D S S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y
An integrated approach was designed to move towards self-sufciency especially at operational level. Proper procedures, policies, human resources and information system were designed to benet successful implementation of the project. In order to ensure effective monitoring of CED program, the following indicators were reviewed consistently: Disbursement targets. Access (outreach)/Coverage. Financial, Human and Organizational resources. Productivity and efciency. Cost coverage (operational loan losses 5 to 10 % default) of cost of funds, service charges @ 5% to be recovered from borrowers of microcredit/prots). Honey bee farming is a lucrative income generating enterprise in the project areas. The environment in terms of natural and manmade ora is in abundance and available for more than ten months of the year. It is a culturally and socially accepted activity for women in this region. The immediate earnings from the beehives within three to four months are other important factors that contribute to economic sustainability of the beneciaries. Bees are useful transmitters of pollens that help increase production of fruits, vegetables, grains and other food items. All the above factors enable the women to provide good food for their families, education and health care to the children. Honey is considered as a natural gift in terms of food and medicine. It is used for gaining energy and healing of different diseases. Currently the demand is outweighing the supply in manifolds. On an average one beehive produces 18 to 22 kg (39.90 lbs -48.40 lbs) of honey in a year. Our experience showed that the beekeepers who have added at least one more beehive every year greatly increased their production and income. This income is in addition to the familys regular income and is an important factor for nancial sustainability of the beneciaries. Sustainability was ensured through improved honey bee production, technical assistance and value addition, along with linkages with markets for protable sale of the product provided by HF ofces.

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Institutional Sustainability
In a village the households act as an institution and in beekeeping business these households make associations of beekeepers, honey business groups, traders, suppliers and retailers. Honey contributes its value in terms of money and provides an environment of team building, community participation and joint decision-making process. There are regular gatherings of beekeepers, suppliers and retailers at the village level, an important factor in sustaining an atmosphere of social mobilization where voices are shared and decisions are made in a participatory way. These consultative and participatory activities are the foundation of institutional sustainability.

Socio-Cultural/Civil Society Sustainability

Honey beekeeping is a model of civil society micro-enterprise development. Beekeepers know the way bees are organized and have specic role to play in producing honey. With a clear understanding of the team work, specic tasks to achieve a desirable results and participating in the tasks can lead to an organized society among the people particularly women and other partners like shop keepers, traders and suppliers. Beekeepers can play an important role in creating an enabling environment in the society and can help to create diversity and tolerance, which are the milestones of a civil society. Beekeeping is a value chain process from the input of families, technology in terms of equipment and training, to the output in terms of trained women or men through ministries, teaching institutions and national and international organization. There are a very few products where such a value chain is involved in production like honey. This value chain promotes socio-cultural and civil society sustainability The honey produced was purchased/collected and, packaging and labeling was done by the Marketing Department of Hashoo Foundation based in Islamabad. Hashoo Foundations ability to connect the producers to the market through a network of 5 stars-hotels, grocery stores and other markets is what makes this project one of the most effective economic empowerment projects in Northern Pakistan.

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2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 3 U n i v e r s i t y o f S t . T h o m a s S o c i a l E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p P r o g r a m ( U S T S E P ) C r e d i t & E n t e r p r i s e D e v e l o p m e n t ( C E D ) P r o j e c t O v e r v i e w

Phase 1
Phase 1 of the CED was initiated during the spring of 2010. Under this program, the Hashoo Foundation distributed and administered the provision of $10,000 in Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) to 20 women beekeepers. A total of 100 beehives and 20 production kits were purchased. The ultimate objective was to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the marginalized women of the Gilgit- Baltistan.

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P L A N B E E D E V A S T A T E D B Y T H E F L O O D S
In 2010, Pakistan was devastated by the worst oods in its history affecting more than 22 million people all over the country. The devastating oods and monsoon rains affected the entire beekeeping community in Gilgit, Hunza-Nagar, Ghizer, Chitral and Kalash Valley and disrupted the livelihoods of the beekeepers as their beehives were washed away or damaged beyond repair. The devastation had a major impact on the future of these farmers, as a holder of 3 beehives can earn up to Rs. 25,000 ($300.00) producing up to 45 kg (99 lbs) of honey annually.

After conducting a post ood evaluation, HF found the following: All 20 beneciaries of the CED program were directly or indirectly affected and suffered due to the unprecedented disaster leaving 4 beekeepers and their families homeless. 96 beehives of the 100 beehives distributed were damaged. The estimated cost to replace the damaged beehives was US $10,176 With the exception of initial three weeks of March-April 2010, there was no honey production from October 2010March 2011, due to continuous heavy rains in all parts of Gilgit Baltistan.

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Based on the devastation caused by this historical disaster and difculties faced by the affected beekeepers to repay their loans, HF requested UST SEP to consider forgiving the beekeepers loans. Unfortunately, UST SEP doesnt have a clause that considers forgiveness of loans and/or any other means to help beneciaries affected by catastrophic disasters. Furthermore, consequently, in the midst of this tragedy, some of the UST SEP beneciaries borrowed money from other family members to repay their loans getting deeper into debt. On March 25, 2011, the University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneurship Program (SEP) held a benet concert at The Artery Houston to raise funds for their CED Plan Bee loan recipients suffering from the recent ood catastrophe in Pakistan. The event was quite magical, as it gave the audience excellent entertainment all the while raising awareness about the partnership between Hashoo Foundation and UST Social Entrepreneurship Program.

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The funds raised could not be given as a donation to their ood affected beekeepers due to clauses in the SEP regulations that established that funds can only be allocated as loans and not as donations. The SEP planning team was not aware of the regulations when they organized the fundraising concert. On November 11, 2012, UST SEP graciously agreed to extend the period for the recovery of the loans, thus helping the beekeepers recover from their economic losses. The original MoU was amended and both organizations, HF and UST SEP, agree that the project shall continue for as long as needed and that the partners fullled their obligations.

Students In The Us Helped Raise The Funds Needed To Replace Damaged Beehives
Students from various schools in the US helped raised the needed funds to provide the UST SEP beneciaries with new beehives, thus enabling the beekeepers to resettle and recover from their economic losses. In 2010-2011, HF managed to recover US $7,659 of the loans; however, due to the status of the destruction in the affected areas, remaining amount of US $2,341 was not recovered that year.

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UST SEP CED Loan Status 2010-2011

Sr# Name Village/Region
Oshikhandass, Gilgit Oshikhandass, Gilgit Oshikhandass, Gilgit Oshikhandass, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Danyore, Gilgit Mohd abad, Gilgit Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza Mominabad, Hunza

Loan US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 10,000

Recovered US$
500 310 500 500 333 500 500 500 500 500 167 393 307 307 307 307 307 307 307 307 7,659

Outstanding # of Hives US$

0 190 0 0 167 0 0 0 0 0 333 107 193 193 193 193 193 193 193 193 2,341 20 10 15 5 5 15 20 20 12 8 25 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 175

Honey kg/lbs
160/352 80/176 120/264 40/88 40/88 120/264 160/352 160/352 96/211 64/141 200/440 32/70 16/35 16/35 16/35 16/35 16/35 16/35 16/35 16/35 1,400/3,078

Income US$
1000 500 750 250 250 750 1000 1000 600 400 1250 200 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 8,750

1 Farida Begum 2 Skim Bano 3 Bibi Naseem 4 Bibi Rashida 5 Bibi Amina 6 Shamim Ara 7 Soni 8 Husun Bano 9 Jubli Bano 10 Taj Mehal 12 Naik Bano 13 Taj bibi 14 Shahdana 15 Gul Amdam 16 Yasmeen Bano 17 Gul Zadi 18 Mahoot 19 Gul Sori 20 Shukrat bibi Total

11 Meher Parveen Mohd abad, Gilgit

Summary CED Loan

Loans Provided By UST SEP # of Beekeepers
20

Loan US$
10,000

Recovered US$
7,659

Outstanding US$
2,341

Recovered %
77

Phase 2
In 2nd phase of the UST SEP, Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) of US $500 each was distributed to 14 women beekeepers in 2012. Please note that by the time HF initiated phase 2 of UST SEP, it had total of US $7,659 recovered from the rst cycle. HF reinvested only US$7,000 among 14 women beekeepers. The table below shows the equal quantities of honey production and equal incomes earned by the beneciaries because in 2012, HF organized beekeepers into honey business groups to make them stronger and more sustainable.

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Therefore, all the production and earned income was equally distributed among the 14 women beekeepers. Remaining US$ 659 are kept in bank, the reason being HF had opened separate account for UST SEP and it was mandatory to keep some amount in the account at all times.

UST SEP CED Loan Status 2012

Sr# Name Village
Zulqarabad Danyore Danyore Oshikhandass Oshikhandass Oshikhandass Danyore Mohdabad Danyore Mohdabad Danyore Danyore Mohdabad Danyore

Loan US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 7,000

Recovered Outstanding US$ US$

500 500 263 438 0 0 288 500 335 500 500 450 450 369 5,093 0 0 237 62 500 500 212 0 165 0 0 50 50 131 1,907

# of Hives
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 70

Honey kg/lbs
80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 1,120/2,464

Income US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 7,000

Children in School
5 5 2 2 3 5 4 1 5 3 2 5 4 4 50

1 Gul Meri 2 Hasina 3 Sahar Gul 4 Shehzadi Zahra 5 Mahi Parveen 6 Meher Bano 7 Nusrat Begum 8 Benazeer 9 BiBi Zainama 10 Shehzadi 11 Shamim Ara 12 Misree Bano 13 Shamsi Bano 14 Nazia Afzal Total

In 2012-2013, HF recovered US $5,093, outstanding amount is US $1,907.

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Phase 3
During the 3rd phase of the project, HF received amount of US $3,000 from UST SEP in January 2013. This amount was distributed among a total of 6 women out of which, US $175 remains unrecovered. The remaining amount shall be recovered by the production season of 2014. Note: The $3,000 is part of the additional $10,000 committed by UST SEP. $7,000 remained pending.

UST SEP CED Loan Status 2013

Sr# Name Village
Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore

Loan US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 3,000

Recovered Outstanding US$ US$

325 500 500 500 500 500 2,825 175 0 0 0 0 0 175

# of Hives
5 5 5 5 5 5 30

Honey kg/lbs
80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 80/176 480/1056

Income US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 3,000

Children in School
4 3 6 3 6 4 26

1 Shamim Bano 2 Jamila 3 Shahida Numa 4 Sar Bano 5 Nihat BiBi 6 Misree Total

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UST SEP CED RMCL Consolidated 2012-2013 Loan Status

(DECEMBER 31, 2013)
Sr# Name Village
Zulqarabad Danyore Danyore Oshikhandass Oshikhandass Oshikhandass Danyore Mohdabad Danyore Mohdabad Danyore Danyore Mohdabad Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore Danyore

Loan US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 10,000

Recovered Outstanding US$ US$

500 500 263 438 0 0 288 500 335 500 500 450 450 369 325 500 500 500 500 500 7,918 0 0 237 62 500 500 212 0 165 0 0 50 50 131 175 0 0 0 0 0 2,082

# of Hives
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 70

Honey kg/lbs
80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 80 1,600

Income US$
500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 500 7,000

Children in School
5 5 2 2 3 5 4 1 5 3 2 5 4 4 4 3 6 3 6 4 76

1 Gul Meri 2 Hasina 3 Sahar Gul 4 Shehzadi Zahra 5 Mahi Parveen 6 Meher Bano 7 Nusrat Begum 8 Benazeer 9 Bi Bi Zainama 10 Shehzadi 11 Shamim Ara 12 Misree Bano 13 Shamsi Bano 14 Nazia Afzal 15 Shamim Bano 16 Jamila 17 Shahida Numa 18 Sar Bano 19 Nihat Bi Bi 20 Misree Total

I M P A C T U S T S E P C R E D I T & E N T E R P R I S E D E V E L O P M E N T P R O G R A M
40 women were provided with the loan to empower themselves for better living. 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs) of honey was produced since the inception of project. US $18,750 was earned by the beneciaries during the lifetime of the project. 152 children got access to quality education. Household income was increased by 39% by the end of 2013. 40 women and 320 of their dependents benetted. Women beneciaries were linked with Northern Honey Bee Association (NHBA). The project increased women empowerment in terms of decision making in their everyday lives. Socio-economic status of the beneciaries improved at a noticeable level.

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Summary of UST SEP CED Loan from year 2010-2013

Phase 1 Villages
Oshikhandass, Danyore, Mohdabad, Mominabad 20 100 10,000 7,659 2,341 1,400 8,750 160 76

Phase 2
Danyore, Mohdabad, Mominabad

Phase 3
Danyore

Total

# Beekeepers # Beehives RMCL Recovered US$ Outstanding US$ Honey Produced kg Income Earned Indirect Dependents Children in School

14 70 7,000 5,093 1,907 1,120 7,000 112 50

6 200 20,000 15,580 4,423 3,000 18,750 320 152

40 200 20,000 15,580 4,423 3,000 18,750 320 152

Phase 1 (2010-11)
HF received US$10,000 in 2010 from UST SEP as CED loan. HF distributed received US$10,000 among 20 beekeepers in 2010. 20 beekeepers purchased 100 beehives (5 each). HF recovered US $7,659 in 2010 -11. 1400 kg honey produced by 20 beekeepers. US $8,750 income earned by the beekeepers 160 indirect beneciaries beneted from this project 76 children have access to quality education.

Phase 2 (2012)
HF distributed received US $7,000 among 14 beekeepers in 2012 14 beekeepers purchased 70 beehives (5 each) HF recovered US $ 5,093 in 2012 1120kg honey produced by 14 beekeepers. US S$7,000 income earned by the beekeepers. 112 indirect beneciaries beneted from this project. 50 children have access to quality education.

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Phase 3 (2013)
HF received US$3,000 in 2013 from UST SEP as CED loan. HF distributed received US$3,000 among 6 beekeepers in 2013. 6 beekeepers purchased 30 beehives (5 each). HF recovered US $2,825 in 2013. 480 kg honey produced by 6 beekeepers. US $3,000 income earned by the beekeepers. 48 indirect beneciaries beneted from this project. 26 childrens have access to quality education.

OUTCOMES
The project has benetted the targeted beekeepers by teaching them how to increase their honey production, which helped them to improve their living standards. The UST SEP CED Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) helped beekeepers sustain their businesses during the economic crises and after devastating oods and monsoons. The project played a vital role in empowering the beneciaries by providing them with income generating opportunities in a male dominant society. The project provided means for the beneciaries to help pay for their families nutritional, educational and health care expenses. The program enabled HF to venture into new and innovative initiatives along with gaining condence of the implementing partners. HF achieved another milestone towards the aim to empower the underprivileged communities in the society through its HF USA partners.

C H A L L E N G E S F A C E D
During the projects lifetime, following challenges were faced by the grantees while implementing the project activities: Weather in the project area remained unpredictable and unsuitable for production of the forecasted amount of honey. Only four to ve months per year are favorable for honey production in Gilgit-Baltistan. Beehives were relocated to other parts of the country during the harsh winter months. The mobilization of the beehives posed challenges and risks as some got damaged due to improper handling. Law and order situations in some areas of Gilgit-Baltistan remain tense. As a result, beneciaries did not have access to certain areas to increase the production.

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Rate of ination in Pakistan increased to over 10% during the projects implementation period. This severely limited the beneciaries buying power, hence threatened their basic survival.

UST SEP CED Budget Summary

UST SEP Expenses Mobilzation Cost Training Cost Procurement of Beehives Production Kits Technical Assistance in Branding & Packaging Administrative, Transportation & Logistics Cost Total
13,000 13,000

HF Contribution in US$

Total US$

Contribution in US$

500 600

500 600

13,000

1,000

1,000

2,000

2,000

4,000

4,000

9,100

22,100

L O C A L P O V E R T Y
The challenge of poverty alleviation remains huge. Pakistan, being a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), is committed to achieving the MDG target for poverty by halving it between 1990 and 2015. The estimated level of poverty in 1990 was 26%, which needs to be cut to 13% by 2015 if the target is to be met. The State Bank of Pakistan in its latest annual report on the economy revealed that the World Banks task force on food security has estimated that the Head Count Ratio (HCR) for poverty increased in Pakistan to 33.8 percent in FY08 (scal year 2007-08) and 36.2 percent in FY09, projecting that 62 million people in the country now live below the poverty line. As per economic survey of Pakistan 2009, The poorest households need to spend 70% or more of their income on food and their ability to meet most essential expenditures for health and education is severely compromised. In addition, the diminished purchasing power has severely impaired capacity of poor households to

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seek health care, and children education, particularly for girls.

This project provides opportunity to increase income of women to earn livelihood for their families by undertaking entrepreneurial initiatives. Under this project 100 women will be provided with 5 beehives each. Average production of honey is 18 Kg/beehive and it will additionally increase the income of beneciaries by PKRs. 54,000 annually (US $515) as they will produce 90 kg (5 x 18) (198 lbs) of honey each year and Hashoo Foundation will purchase honey for PKRs.600 (US $5.70). It is expected that the income resulting from the project will be utilized to overcome the issues of children education and to maintain a hygienic and healthy life. The fact remains that women are about 51% percent of the country and have very low contribution to the family income; this project will enable 100 women beneciaries of targeted area to contribute signicantly to their family income. This project is aimed to build the capacities of targeted women and once the project ends, beneciaries will have continuous organizational support in selling their honey which will make it sustainable income generating model and it will consequently help in reducing poverty in Pakistan at local and national level.

A S S U M P T I O N S A N D R I S K S
Globally, bee farming carries a natural risk, and this project would be susceptible to the same risks. However, the potential for securing a better livelihood for target beneciaries far outweighs the risks, especially to involve the community in community based employment increasing the source of income and livelihood in this earthquake hit valley. From a management perspective there is no risk, as Hashoo Foundation has extensive honey bee and micro-enterprise development experience, including launching its Honey brand Mountain Pure Honey.

E N V I R O N M E N T A L I M P A C T
The project will aid in the enhancement of sustainable environments promoting pollination in the existing orchards in the targeted areas. Honey bees help in sustaining environmental diversity.

G E N D E R I S S U E S
Per World Economic Forums Gender Gap report, Pakistan female to male ratio in labor force participation is 25%. Female adult un-employment rate is 8.38 %, women to rise to enterprise leadership is 3.85 %. As per the report Pakistan Employment Trends for Women, labor force participation of women in Pakistan is 21.8%. This is lower than the global (52.6%) and regional (35.6%) averages.

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Following the Beijing Declaration and Platform of action from September 1998, Pakistan has adopted its National Plan of Action for Women; it considers women as vital contributors to the economic survival of poor house hold. The plan envisions that the economic empowerment of women promotes womens economic image in the family, community and nation. It aims to facilitate womens participation in all areas of life besides ensuring protection of womens rights with in the family and society. Employment to population ratio of women is 19.9%. There is a serious risk of excessive school dropout rates and thus loss of the gains in terms of primary school enrolment increases achieved in past years. The poorest households need to spend 70% or more of their income on food and their ability to meet most essential expenditures for health and education is severely compromised. In addition, the diminished purchasing power has severely impaired capacity of poor households to seek health care, and children education, particularly for girls. This situation has further aggravated by falling nutrition levels, particularly for already malnourished children. Poverty head count 36.2% is very alarming. According to the statistics of the Economic Survey of Pakistan, the national average of women integrated in the main stream of economic through self-employment in rural areas is 18% to 20%. A study undertaken by Hashoo Foundation revealed that women account for 55% of honey bee producers in the Northern Area and Chitral (NAC). Their average productivity (17,91kg/year/beehive) is slightly higher than the global average (16,25 kg/year/ beehive). However, they only account for 35% of the total income generated by honey bee production in the NAC. This gap could arise from the fact that 68,2% of women beekeepers in the NAC own less than 5 beehives, which is the critical point at which keeping bees become protable. In the neighboring district of Gilgit, and surrounding areas, 87% of the total honey production is purchased by the local market.

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Lack of storage facilities, processing equipment, market information and poor access prevent beekeepers from reaching potentially more protable down-country markets. Beekeepers are also not aware of the income supplement they could generate through the exploitation of the four major honey by-products: beeswax, pollen, royal jelly and propolis. The proposed project will address the gender inequality issue and increase the economic development and education opportunities for women and girls in the target areas of Pakistan.

M I T I G A T I N G S T R A T E G Y
In 2012 and 2013, HF developed business groups of the beekeepers to ensure easy and timely recovery of loans. HF has established 18 honey business groups in Gilgit-Baltistan and 10 honey business groups in Chitral. The formation of groups has reduced transportation and beehives shifting cost, and is expected to make the enterprises more sustainable and viable through mutual efforts and contribution. HF also worked on strengthening the local bodies network. The introduction of new technologies in beekeeping shall enhance the production and collection of honey, thus leading to increase in the amount of honey produced. The provision of skill trainings to beekeepers in coming years shall strengthen business groups in the projected areas. Providing market awareness to the beekeepers shall enable them to set the unit cost per kg of honey at market competitive level.

CONCLUSION
HF believes that by working together with the relevant stakeholders, we can successfully implement the CED program and expand it through following activities: Developing partnerships with other NGOs, universities, micro nance institutions and apex organizations like Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF). Mobilizing additional communities to increase the number of trainees in GilgitBaltistan. Improving quality control mechanisms in production, processing, and packaging Obtaining ISO certications, such as fair trade and internationally recognized organic certications through certied organizations like Pakistan Council of Scientic and Industrial Research (PCSIR). Replicating Plan Bee in other rural areas of Pakistan, including Chitral, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Azad Jamu & Kashmir (AJK). Increasing the honey production from 20 tons to 65 tons by 2014.

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Hashoo Foundation and the women beekeepers are very grateful to UST SEP for extending the recovery of the Revolving Micro Credit Loans (RMCL) from 2010 to 2013, hence helping the beekeepers recover from their economic losses, pay for their childrens education and basic needs of shelter, food and health care.

O R G A N I Z A T I O N A L S T R U C T U R E & C A P A C I T Y
Hashoo Foundation has a well-established infrastructure employing over 300 employees including foreign and local qualied and trained professional, administrative and operational staff. Hashoo Foundation is implementing its program and projects through its head ofce in Islamabad and regional ofces established in Chitral, Gilgit, Rawalpindi, and Mansehra. The major source of income in Ghizer is the District of Gilgit-Baltistan is agriculture. However, due to the remoteness of the mountainous region, the socioeconomic status of local inhabitants is very low. Hashoo Foundations ofce staff in Gilgit-Baltistan is dedicated to the development, management, training and implementation of the Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Plan Bee project. Beekeeping is an income generating activity with an incubation period of three months, which can be undertaken at cottage level, as it does not require heavy investments or infrastructure. On site appropriate training is needed with inputs including beehives and extractors as well as appropriate climatic conditions and availability of bee ora at selected locations. Hashoo Foundation has three core programs in Gilgit- Baltistan: Economic Development, Education & CESP program, Skills development. Regional program manager will be responsible to implement this project in the target area.

P A R T N E R S H I P W I T H O T H E R I N S T I T U T I O N S / A G E N C I E S
The Country Director, Manager Enterprise Development and Gilgit Regional Program Manager will coordinate project activities including, community mobilization through Social Organizers, organizing training by Resource Persons and Field Assistants. Honey produced will be purchased/collected at a premium rates and transported to Islamabad for processing, Packaging and labeling by the Marketing Department of Hashoo Foundation based in Islamabad. Technical assistance with specialized trainers in beekeeping will be organized in collaboration with our partners, Honey Bee Research Institute (HBRI), National Agricultural Research Council Islamabad and Agriculture University Peshawar.

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Contact
Cristal Montaz Baylor Executive Director Hashoo Foundation USA M +1 (713) 483-4990 F +1 (713) 759-0787 cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org www.hashoofoundationusablog.org HashooFoundationUSA

@HashooFoundaUSA