In Kamonyi District, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place. With support from ARDI, beekeeping cooperatives are being encouraged to grow small businesses that do more than produce honey. They are helping promote poverty alleviation, strengthen agriculture, and protect the environment through the vital work of pollination.

One inspiring example is the TWISUNGANE BAVUMVU cooperative (TWIBARU) in Nyamiyaga sector, which has taken beekeeping beyond the hive and turned it into a practical source of income. After receiving support from ARDI, 15 members of the cooperative began investing in the sale of bee colonies. Instead of focusing only on honey, they now capture bees and sell colonies to other beekeepers who need them to expand or start their own apiaries.

This simple but smart business model has created a real difference for the members. By selling between 10 and 15 colonies each month, they can earn around 100,000 to 150,000 RWF monthly. For many families, that income is more than a number. It means school fees, food on the table, savings for the future, and a stronger sense of independence.

What makes this story especially encouraging is that it shows how beekeeping can support more than one goal at once. It provides a source of revenue, helps farmers and the wider community through pollination, and encourages a deeper respect for the natural environment. In that way, the work of these cooperative members is not only business-minded, but community-minded too.

The journey of TWISUNGANE BAVUMVU is a reminder that when cooperatives receive the right support, they can build livelihoods that are practical, sustainable, and inspiring. Small businesses built around beekeeping may begin with a few hives, but their impact can spread far beyond the hive itself.

When communities are supported to build from what they already know, even a hive can become a path to dignity, income, and environmental care.