In the rural village of Kyakitanga, Uganda, daily life has long been defined by struggle. Families face overwhelming challenges: extreme poverty, chronic malnutrition, and limited access to clean water. But even in the hardest places, transformation is possible—and one family’s story proves it.
Meet Ismael and Kakimwa, a hardworking couple raising seven children on the outskirts of Kyakitanga. For years, they survived by taking on temporary day labor, earning the equivalent of just $1.50 a day. It was never enough. Providing food was a daily concern. Long-term planning felt impossible.
But their future began to shift when a new opportunity took root—one that was practical, sustainable, and full of promise.
Cross International, through its work in central Uganda, introduced Ismael and Kakimwa to beekeeping. More than just a livelihood, it was a pathway toward long-term stability. With the right training and tools, the couple learned how to care for bees, harvest honey, and build a business they could manage right from their land.
On a recent visit, we saw their progress firsthand. Ismael and Kakimwa were carefully constructing new beehives—expanding their colony with hope in their eyes and strategy in their hands. With thoughtful placement of the hives throughout their property, they plan to double or even triple their honey production in the coming season.
In Uganda, beekeeping can yield up to three harvests per year. With healthy hives and proper technique, a single hive can produce roughly 1.5 gallons of honey. If the family harvests 20 gallons and sells each for about $8 at the local market, they could earn $160 per cycle—more than 100 times their previous daily income.
But this story isn’t just about economics. It’s about dignity. About legacy. About watching parents reclaim the ability to provide and plan for their children’s future.
Thanks to faith, perseverance, and a community-based approach to transformation, Ismael and Kakimwa are no longer trapped in survival mode. They’re building something that lasts. And they’re modeling resilience and resourcefulness for the next generation.
Their story reminds us that real change begins when families are given not just help—but opportunity. With the right tools and a little hope, they’re not only restoring what was lost… they’re creating something new.
One family. One harvest at a time. One more step toward lasting transformation.
