Archbishop Supports Beekeepers with a Bees Abroad Gift to Pope

Bees Abroad are delighted to share that on his recent visit to the Vatican in the lead up to COP26, The Archbishop of Canterbury presented Pope Francis with a gift, supporting the Jikomboe Women’s Beekeeping project on Kome Island, Tanzania. This is a remarkable gift which highlights the importance and relevance of beekeeping in our global efforts for the climate and alleviating poverty.

Archbishop Justin Welby, Patron of Bees Abroad, met with Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew prior to COP26 to deliver a joint message for the protection of creation. In a joint statement they said “we call on everyone, whatever their belief or world view, to endeavour to listen to the cry of the earth and of people who are poor, examining their behaviour and pledging meaningful sacrifices for the sake of the earth which God has given us”. In the lead up to COP26 meetings, they signed an appeal about caring for our common home and in solid commitment to grassroots, encouraged all to action,

“We have to act. And the action is action in development.”
(Archbishop Justin)

Anastazia Charles, pictured here with her new hive, is now part of this action. She is one of the women in the Jikomboe women’s group in Tanzania to benefit from Archbishop Justin’s gift which will increase food security and improve livelihoods. Living on Kome Island, she and her community are faced with a continual decrease in their crop yields and degradation of their natural ecosystem. Bees Abroad has partnered with Emmanuel International in Tanzania and the local church in Nyamkolechiwa village on Kome Island, to train the women in sustainable beekeeping, incorporating this with conservation agriculture techniques and tree planting. Anastazia has seven children and four grandchildren and is excited to be able to support them through school with her beekeeping income, securing a future for the next generation.

“Caring for God’s creation is a spiritual commission requiring a response of commitment. This is a critical moment. Our children’s future and the future of our common home depend on it.” (Archbishop Justin)

For the past twelve days of COP26, leaders from across the globe have sought to accelerate and inspire action and a response of commitment at home and abroad. At Bees Abroad we are proud to continue in our commitment to action.