Taking A Lead From Bees
April 22, 2026
Sure, bees are small. But they are mighty! They pollinate crops, sustain biodiversity, and keep entire ecosystems in balance. All the while, working collectively, each playing a role to create something far greater than any one could on their own.
Sitting with members of the Cooperativa Buena Semilla in Quiché, Guatemala, our team saw that same principle at work. Members are working together to grow a local enterprise, families are diversifying income and strengthening resilience, and the community is investing in sustainable land-based livelihoods.
Together with local partners, our Executive Director Lorraine Swift and Program Manager Julia Di Giovine donned head-to-toe bee suits complete with netted veil and thick gloves to guard against tiny defenders, as they joined beekeepers tending hives tucked into the woods.
They peeked into active hives and helped carefully lift out the wooden frames, each one lined with honeycomb built by busy bees. The thin wax caps sealing the honey were gently removed, and the honey was extracted from the comb. It’s a process that revealed just how much care goes into every jar. And while Lorraine and Julia were quick studies, it was clear they have only just scratched the surface of the potential of hive products.
The cooperative is still learning too. While the honey they produce is sweet and delicious, their market reach remains limited. Processing equipment to improve efficiency, such as centrifuges for honey extraction, along with support to expand into products like candles and cosmetics and to strengthen marketing and distribution, are just some of the ways Change for Children’s partnership will help this work take shape.