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Reflections

Rachel Griffiths (far left), with the rest of the Big Beehive Build team, and local women who will benefit from the new beehives. Rachel Griffiths (far left), with the rest of the Big Beehive Build team, and local women who will benefit from the new beehives.

By Rachel Griffiths, Moy Park

16 June 2015

Rachel was one of nine senior women from the UK food industry who took part in Farm Africa's Big Beehive Build.

Having completed the Farm Africa Dig for Good fishpond dig two years ago, I had high hopes for what we could achieve from our latest challenge and a great sense of anticipation of what to expect.

The sights and smells that greet you quickly remind you how different Africa is from home. The poverty is evident everywhere you go, but intermingled with the neon lighting and commercialism of global brands. We passed lots of smiling children who waved at the bus in wonder at the group of women from the UK!

The Big Beehive Build challenge itself was more complex than we had expected, everything is built by hand…not an Ikea flat pack in sight (we are still working on it!). The processes and production approach was new but well received by the team working with us…hopefully Marnie and Judith’s pioneering wire cutting method will be remembered on the next beehive build!

We had a fantastic group of women…all leaders in their own businesses, but together we bonded as a team. We worked hard and we laughed hard.

The Erri Community could not have made us feel more welcome; in many ways their lives, whilst having none of the commercial trappings of our world, are richer from the sense of community and faith which bonds them together.

The difference Farm Africa is making to these communities is evident and was recognised by the Government representative who attending our formal ‘beehive handover’. I felt a huge sense of pride from the small way we had contributed - we had helped women like ourselves to support their families and left a lasting legacy for this community.

Like the red earth, Africa gets under your skin. You want to help these people help themselves; but the journey is a long one and they need ongoing help and support ….I’m already wondering what the next challenge could be…

Follow the action at #BigBeehiveBuild or @FarmAfrica 

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View all Big Beehive Build blog entries.

 

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