Metenu's Beekeeping Journey
Beekeeping was not a new endeaver for Metenu Tiruneh when she joined Project Ethiopia's training program last year. She began tending bees as a teenager using traditional methods passed down from her father, an active beekeeper in the Girarghe kebele of Dangla where Metenu grew up. After they married, she and her husband Worku continued beekeeping with two local hives that had been gifted to them by her father.
For nearly 40 years, Metenu devoted herself to caring for bees using the traditional methods she learned from her father. Her deep commitment and hands‑on experience allowed her to maintain her hives and produce honey. But even after four decades, she was only producing a small amount of honey, just enough for her family.
After completing Project Ethiopia’s beekeeping training last year, Metenu transformed her small‑scale practice into a thriving source of income. With her new skills and modern equipment, she harvested an impressive 50 kilos of organic honey, 41 kilos of which she was able to sell, earning her 41,000 ETB (about $260).
Her first successful season has energized Metenu's vision for the future. In 2026, she plans to add additional beehives purchased with her income from this year's honey profits, and hopes to double her honey production, using her growing expertise to strengthen her household income and build a more sustainable livelihood.
Metenu’s journey reflects the powerful impact of pairing long‑held experience with resources and new opportunities. After decades of working with bees, she now has the tools, training, and confidence to turn her lifelong practice into a thriving enterprise. Metenu's story is a testament to what is possible when local knowledge is supported with targeted investment, opening doors to greater economic stability for families and inspiring others along the way.
“Thank you so much, Project Ethiopia, for your life changing support!”
