Beehive Backstory, Dream to Reality

Here is a backstory to the work we do. From where we started, our goals and how we make the best possible life for our girls.

The foundation of the work we do…

Jane and Alan, founders of the Beehive foundation, felt called to Africa to help young girls, who are victims of sexual abuse, and provide them with a safe place to go. They wanted to protect vulnerable girls who had become pregnant while barely out of childhood themselves. They saw a desperate need and wanted to do their best to fill in this gap where so many girls fell through the cracks.

All journeys start with somewhere: with The Beehive, it all started with a passion for change. The situation in Africa is dire and often unspoken about. Young girls, children, are being taken advantage of and abused. As a result, many become pregnant and can be forced out of families and homes, and subjected to more hardship and trauma. One of The Beehive’s main focuses for change was to relieve the poverty, sickness and distress of these child mums. Jane and Alan wanted to provide them with the appropriate care and support they deserve through the change from childhood to motherhood. Preventative awareness was also a very important aspect of their journey. Awareness campaigns aim to prevent this abuse from happening, and with that the hopes at reducing the number of child mums.

The work that The Beehive Trust, the organisation registered in Kenya, carries out today was first established in 2014 by Jane and Alan as a personal ministry. The Beehive Foundation partenered with The Beehive Trust. The Trust facilitates the workings of the Foundation in Nakuru, delivering services, renting properties, employing the appropriate staff and ensuring visibility into the operation. Starting out with just two girls, the Trust has evolved from a personal ministry to a registered charitable company.


The Beehive Foundation grows in numbers…

The Trust has provided invaluable resources throughout our journey. Everything we do in Kenya is funded soley by donations. As The Beehive grew, so did the home we built. We started with just one rented house. But as the number of girls in our family grew, so did the number of houses. We currently rent several houses in a small residential locality in Nakuru, Kenya. But we have plans of one day owning our own community. As we have expanded, we must juggle who is in each house and find new houses or consolidate into bigger houses, if available. Because The Beehive is a refuge for vulnerable young girls, perimeter security is very important in keeping the girls safe. And so we are firstly building a strong perimeter wall and gate to secure everyone.

How we care for our family…

Donations do not just fund accommodation, but every aspect of the girls’ lives. All of their meals, healthcare, clothing, toiletries, pocket money and education are funded through people’s generosity. Our top priority is making sure the girls have everything they need to live a happy and comfotable life. We help them in all areas of life. From medical care for both the girls and their babies, to education or training. Ensuring that after they leave our care, they are set up to be able to live a full life. And importantly are able to provide for themselves and their children.

Addressing their psychological trauma is also very important. Many of our girls who are referred to The Trust through the welfare department in Kenya are emotionally broken. Often physically abused and psychologically damaged. Hindering them from forming normal relationships. Despite being the victim, they feel a deep sense of shame. They are bewildered and frightened as they are often removed from the family by childre’s services without any idea of what is going to happen to them. We provide one-to-one sessions to address this trauma and engage a professional if necessary.

Appreciation for the couple who started this incredible journey…

Jane and Alan devote their lives to our girls. Their journey dedicated to changing as many lives as possible in a community that abuse vulnerable children, and who shame them for it. Their work is incredibly valuable, changing one girl’s life at a time. If you would like to be a part of this journey please don’t hesitate to contact us, or, if you’re able to, please consider donating. A donation of just £15 pays for an ultrasound scan; an antenatal clinic appointment; a pair of school shoes; and blankets and sheets for one girl. Every penny counts to changing a life, and its because of your generosity that all of our work is possible.