Mike Noel explains some of the finer points of beekeeping to students at the Church Planters Training Course in Arusha, Tanzania, last week.

The seven men who attended the beekeeping classes offered during the 12-week Church Planter Training Course in Arusha, Tanzania, will take home invaluable training in the art of beekeeping to help their villages, plus some special equipment.

“All of the students told Mike that the most important piece of equipment they wished they had was a bee veil,” said Joann Noel, who serves in Tanzania as a CMF missionary with her husband Mike, a former hobbyist beekeeper. “Most of the time, these people are working without protective clothing. They do know about using smoke while working with bees, but without a head covering, bees are always getting in their ears and up their noses!”

New beekeepers sew their protective veiled hats during Mike Noel’s class.

So a sewing project was added to the class schedule.

“Dr. Lena Wensel, a CMF recruit for our team, gave Mike a book on raising bees, and it included a simple pattern and instructions for making a bee veil,” said Joann. “The veils are constructed of heavy cotton material, window screen and cord.

“It was fascinating to watch the men sew,” she added. “Some had their own technique, but all of them were able to complete the project quickly and everyone was pleased the results. When one student finished his veil, he joked, ‘Look out bees, here I come!’ ”

The seven men in Mike’s class were from the Barabaig, Hadzabe and Muha tribes. The lessons included information on bee biology, management and supplies. The men were attentive students.

“They took lots of notes and asked questions,” said Joann. “And when Mike showed a video of honey being harvested, the Hadzabe men held out their hands as if they could catch the honey from the TV screen!” said Joann.

A new church planter/beekeeper models the veiled hat he made in Mike Noel’s class last week.

The students hope to use beekeeping and honey production as micro-businesses in their poor communities in rural areas of Tanzania.

“The men are excited at the possibility that they may have a way to earn an income,” said Joann.