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Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Sweetens the Tables of 5-Star Hotels

Hashoo Foundation's Women Empowerment Through Honey Bee Farming in Pakistan exceeds expectations by taking social enterprise to the next level

Clinton Global Initiative Commitment Sweetens the Tables of 5-Star Hotels

Hashoo Foundation's Women Empowerment Through Honey Bee Farming in Pakistan exceeds expectations by taking social enterprise to the next level

Published 09-24-09

Submitted by Hashoo Foundation

What started as a dream of a few, has turned into a reality for hundreds of women in the remote areas of Northern Pakistan who are now bearing fruits of their success. Farida Bano is one such lady. Resident of Oshikhandas, District Gilgit, some 600 km. from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, Farida was in the first group of 90 ladies trained in Honey Bee Farming and provided with a bee hive to kick start her business. Two years later, she now has 25 beehives and earns approximately $1500/year. She is also able to send her five children to school and help her husband Imtiaz Ali in earning a livelihood; "Imtiaz never respected me like he respects me now. I used to be a nobody now I am somebody. Women are now getting economic stability at home and in the region." Farida conveyed her heartfelt gratitude for organizations like Hashoo Foundation as truly a blessing in disguise.

At the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative's Annual Meeting, Hashoo Foundation made a Commitment to Action to support women advancement within this region through the Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project. Originally aiming to reach 50 women, in the span of two years, this initiative has exceeded its target, training and engaging 316 women in honey bee production and benefiting more than 1200 dependants.

The project is based on a system of social batter designed to promote social change. Hashoo Foundation buys the women beekeepers honey above market price and links them to the lucrative market of 5-star hotels in Pakistan, provided that the families send their children to quality schools, have regular healthy check-ups and improve nutrition at home. The impact has been two-fold. It has not only made positive changes in the women's lifestyles, but now they also have sustainable income to support their families, resulting in a 32% increase in their average household income from the sale of honey. The Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project "Plan Bee" was voted winner of the BBC World Challenge 2008 global competition out of more than 700 projects worldwide.

Hashoo Foundation's ability to connect the producers to the market is what makes this project one of the most effective economic empowerment projects in Northern Pakistan. Hashoo Foundation, a subsidiary of the Hashoo Group, had the advantage of having the market leader in hospitality division as a primary contributor. With nine hotels all over Pakistan, Hashoo Group of Hotels became the main buyer of the honey. From creating a brand name for the honey, to packaging and labeling, Hashoo Foundation effectively took social enterprise in the development sector to the next level.

General Manager of the Marriott Islamabad, Zulfiqar Ahmed Malik, expressed his satisfaction at the quality of honey and the foundation's professional approach of the trade. "We cater to an elite segment of this country's quality. It [quality] is not to be compromised." Executive Chef of the Marriott Islamabad, Imran Ali Khan, had more to add, "I have been using various international honey brands but this one is the best simply because it is fresh and natural, no additives." Mrs. Ahmed, a regular customer of the hotel expressed similar thoughts, "I like the taste of the honey and every time I eat here I feel connected to the ladies in the north who produced it."

Hashoo Group of Hotels buys on average 350 Kg of Honey costing $1500/ month and a total of approximately $20,000/year. Maximum benefit goes to the women beekeepers due to the hotels purchasing price of the honey being 69% higher than what they pay commercial suppliers. The hotels purchase this honey due to its high quality and to enhance economic conditions for rural farmers.

Cristal Montanez Baylor, Executive Director, Hashoo Foundation USA, communicated, "The foundation is working to strengthen its platform and expand the geographical coverage of the project through its newly established Credit and Enterprise Development (CED) program by allocating micro loans to 128 new women beekeepers in collaboration with the University of St. Thomas Micro Credit Program, Owl Micro Finance (Rice University's microfinance student organization), and the Micro Finance Initiative at the University of Houston." Ms. Montanez Baylor announced, "Soon this honey will also be available in the U.S., covering the most important part of any trade "“ Export."

Hashoo Foundation is now seeking technical and financial investment to replicate this successful model across Pakistan and in the region. Similar projects have already been planned in Azad, Kashmir. Worldwide, this project is receiving rave reviews due to its effectiveness of truly changing lives of the beneficiaries. From the beehive of Farida Bano, to the table of Mrs. Ahmed, there's nothing sweeter.

For more details on how you can support this program and the hundreds of women like Farida Bano, please visit www.hashoofoundation.org.

Hashoo Foundation

Hashoo Foundation

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