Can you bring to life how the last 6 months have gone for you as a project leader?
Over the last six months, one of our major milestones was the construction of our honey processing centre, which now serves as a hub for training, extraction and quality packaging. We successfully built over 300 beehives in eight communities, resulting in an impressive 80% increase in the local bee population, a strong indicator of our ecological impact.
Additionally, we directly trained over 200 community members and equipped them with modern beekeeping equipment. We’ve also indirectly trained 2,000 more in beehive Installation, Management, and Honey Extraction techniques, which equipped them with the knowledge and skills required for a sustainable livelihood. Our community outreach programs further promoted environmental awareness and economic flexibility.
More recently, the development of our website has been an amazing thing, created with the MakerChange team through the Climate Communications Programme, which will help us share our story and expand our impact.
These achievements so far have reflected a strong community spirit and a shared vision at the heart of this initiative!
What has changed for you and the project since winning the prize? Were any of these outcomes unexpected or surprising?
Since winning the award, both the project and I have experienced significant changes. One of the most amazing results has been increased daily communication and engagement with community members. Having once been hesitant, community members now engage actively, ask questions, share updates, and show genuine interest in the initiative’s success.
My team and I have also tracked a significant increase in participation with what started as 20 active community members; we now have over 40, particularly from young people and women, which has strengthened our influence and deepened community ownership.
Another unexpected yet encouraging development over this short period has been the increase in the bee population by 80%. We measured this increase in bee population by monitoring the number of hives successfully colonised by bees. This includes direct observation of hive occupancy and feedback from community members reporting bee activity in their hives. Signalling the health of the ecosystem and validating our efforts in environmental restoration.
We have gained local recognition not only for addressing environmental issues but also for creating livelihood opportunities for local communities in Sierra Leone. This dual influence has helped shift the community mentality towards the restoration and protection of the local bee population.
Lastly, managing this growth has posed challenges, particularly in balancing new expectations with limited resources. Nevertheless, the overall pace has been inspiring, fostering an excellent environment for my everyday learning.
How has running the project changed the way you think, lead or act in your community?
Running the Tiwai Honey initiative has impacted me in the ways I think, lead, and work. I have learned the value of being consistently available and approachable, which has helped to create strong lines of trust and communication. I now practise active listening, which enables me to understand the community better and respond more effectively.
Working across the islands has also strengthened my relationship with both elders and youth, built a bridge between generations, and encouraged cooperation based on respect and shared objectives. Now I see myself as a problem-solving and flexible leader, who can adapt, inspire and grow with my community.
The most important thing is that I have discovered real fulfilment in serving my community, knowing that the work I do brings hope, income and environmental renewal at the place where I call home.
How have you found working with The Iris Project in a trust-based, unrestricted way? How has this felt as a grantee?
It has become more than just about acquiring the funds; it is about being recognised, assumed, and supported as a young leader with a vision. The trust placed in me encouraged me to take bold steps and realise the Tiwai Honey initiative. The flexibility of support enabled me to concentrate on what is most important for the community, without the pressure of rigid structures.
Beyond funding, the mentorship and capacity-building opportunities have helped me grow both individually and professionally. I have gained valuable insights into project planning, storytelling, and impact evaluation. Through the Earth Minutes program, I improved my storytelling and environmental communication skills. The Iris Project mentors provided key support in project planning and structuring community initiatives through feedback. Additionally, the CoalitionWILD EXCELerator helped me strengthen my understanding of impact evaluation, enabling me to better track progress and outcomes in restoration work.
As a grant recipient, I have felt respected, empowered, and part of a significant movement that prioritises youth-led, community-managed change. The Iris Project has not only made me feel connected to this initiative, but it has also helped shape the kind of leader I am becoming.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone beginning their journey as an environmental leader what would that be?
Lead with patience and humility- build trust by listening and empowering your community. Every small step, even after setbacks, moves you closer to lasting change.
I learned that the real effect comes from listening to the land and its people. Protecting the environment requires empathy, patience, and perseverance. Build trust, invest in local realities, and start small. Every seed planted, be it a tree, an idea, or an interaction, can foster enduring change when it is cultivated with attention and purpose.
Finally, what are some exciting things coming up for yourself and your project?
There are numerous exciting developments on the horizon for both Tiwai Honey and me. I aim to further enhance my abilities through training opportunities or potentially secure a role that allows me to deepen my skills in protection and project management.
For the initiative, we will start selling honey on a large scale, supply more customers, and build our brand’s presence. Sales have been encouraging so far. Community members do sell locally in various markets, selling to tourists visiting Tiwai Island, and we will be distributing to local supermarkets that have shown interest. We are preparing to enhance our impact by planting 50,000 coffee and cacao trees alongside native flowering plants in our various community bee farms, developing a thriving, pollination-friendly ecosystem that also serves as a permanent source of livelihood.
We are seeking cooperation with university students to promote bee health and research ways to increase vegetation cover within the buffer area of Tiwai Island Forest. The next phase entails lasting alterations for both our environment and us who rely on it.
