Honey Care Africa
Kenya
Last updated December 4, 2012
Partner Description:
Honey Care Africa (HCA) is a for-profit social enterprise that has launched its business in a Beehive program to provide smallholder farmers in rural areas with the inputs, training, services and market access necessary to become commercial honey producers. Founded in Kenya in 2000, the organization is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, guaranteeing a competitive fixed purchase price for honey on a contract basis. This enables farmers to repay their loans quickly and sell to a stable market.
HCA’s honey products are developed through extensive research and hands-on experience to be flavorful, reasonably priced and long lasting. To make this possible, its well-trained field team assists farmers in setting up and maintaining their hives. With the additional income from beekeeping, farmers are able to invest in their children’s educations and continue to grow their farms and beekeeping businesses.
Kiva lenders’ funds will enable HCA to provide specialized loans to purchase four additional beehives per family, equal to a loan size of about US$240. HCA will provide these loans in the form of hives in addition to training and ongoing support services. Farmers will repay the organization through deductions made from regular honey harvests.
Unique lending approach and partnerships
HCA offers a micro-enterprise opportunity for farmers to raise bees, produce honey and sell it to a reliable customer. In turn, HCA markets primarily to African consumers through supermarkets and corporate partners that use honey in their products (like cookies, biscuits and other baked goods).
Honey Care Africa’s clients in the field.
Because HCA purchases honey from the beekeepers at a guaranteed price, contracts are safe and stable. The organization’s goal is to maximize the income of rural farmers throughout East Africa in order to help meet Millennium Development Goals. In 2005, HCA was named the top small-to-medium-sized-business in Africa by the Africa SMME Awards. Additionally, the organization received the U.N. Sustainable Development Award for consistently reducing poverty in the local communities it serves.
Image courtesy of Honey Care Africa.
Partner Description:
Honey Care Africa (HCA) is a for-profit social enterprise that has launched its business in a Beehive program to provide smallholder farmers in rural areas with the inputs, training, services and market access necessary to become commercial honey producers. Founded in Kenya in 2000, the organization is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization, guaranteeing a competitive fixed purchase price for honey on a contract basis. This enables farmers to repay their loans quickly and sell to a stable market.
HCA’s honey products are developed through extensive research and hands-on experience to be flavorful, reasonably priced and long lasting. To make this possible, its well-trained field team assists farmers in setting up and maintaining their hives. With the additional income from beekeeping, farmers are able to invest in their children’s educations and continue to grow their farms and beekeeping businesses.
Kiva lenders’ funds will enable HCA to provide specialized loans to purchase four additional beehives per family, equal to a loan size of about US$240. HCA will provide these loans in the form of hives in addition to training and ongoing support services. Farmers will repay the organization through deductions made from regular honey harvests.
Unique lending approach and partnerships
HCA offers a micro-enterprise opportunity for farmers to raise bees, produce honey and sell it to a reliable customer. In turn, HCA markets primarily to African consumers through supermarkets and corporate partners that use honey in their products (like cookies, biscuits and other baked goods).
Honey Care Africa’s clients in the field.
Because HCA purchases honey from the beekeepers at a guaranteed price, contracts are safe and stable. The organization’s goal is to maximize the income of rural farmers throughout East Africa in order to help meet Millennium Development Goals. In 2005, HCA was named the top small-to-medium-sized-business in Africa by the Africa SMME Awards. Additionally, the organization received the U.N. Sustainable Development Award for consistently reducing poverty in the local communities it serves.
Image courtesy of Honey Care Africa.
Repayment Performance on Kiva
Repayment Performance on Kiva| This Field Partner | All Kiva Partners | ||
| Start Date On Kiva | Dec 27, 2012 | Oct 12, 2005 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Loans | $22,450 | $426,347,875 | |
| Amount of Raised Inactive Loans | $16,400 | $232,675 | |
| Number Of Raised Inactive Loans | 59 | 211 | |
| Amount of Paying Back Loans | $6,050 | $94,105,575 | |
| Number Of Paying Back Loans | 28 | 101,728 | |
| Amount of Ended Loans | $0 | $332,009,625 | |
| Number Of Ended Loans | 0 | 435,163 | |
| Delinquency Rate | 0.00% | 1.97% | |
| Amount In Arrears | $0 | $1,188,111 | |
| Outstanding Portfolio | $5,842 | $60,351,625 | |
| Number of Loans Delinquent | 0 | 9,474 | |
| Default Rate | 0.00% | 0.97% | |
| Amount of Ended Loans Defaulted | $0 | $3,220,059 | |
| Amount of Ended Loans | $0 | $332,009,625 | |
| Number Of Ended Loans Defaulted | 0 | 9,823 | |
| Currency Exchange Loss Rate | 0.00% | 0.02% | |
| Amount of Currency Exchange Loss | $0 | $77,435 | |
| Refund Rate | 1.34% | 0.95% | |
| Amount of Refunded Loans | $300 | $4,068,925 | |
| Number Of Refunded Loans | 1 | 4,589 |
Loan Characteristics On Kiva
Loan Characteristics On Kiva| This Field Partner | All Kiva Partners | ||
| Loans To Women Entrepreneurs | 31.82% | 74.03% | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Loan Size | $259 | $407 | |
| Average Individual Loan Size | $259 | $646 | |
| Average Group Loan Size | $0 | $1,744 | |
| Average Number Of Entrepreneurs Per Group | 0 | 8 | |
| Average GDP Per Capita (PPP) in Local Country | $1,445 | $3,346 | |
| Average Loan Size / GDP Per Capita (PPP) | 17.89% | 12.17% | |
| Average Time To Fund A Loan | 0.3 days | 4.68 days | |
| Average Dollars Raised Per Day Per Loan | $862.43 | $86.89 | |
| Average Loan Term | 36 months | 9.61 months |
Journaling Performance on Kiva
Journaling Performance on Kiva| This Field Partner | All Kiva Partners | ||
| Total Journals | 0 | 203,719 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Journaling Rate | 0.00% | 39.99% | |
| Average Number Of Comments Per Journal | 0.00 | 0.11 | |
| Average Number Of Recommendations Per Journal | 0.00 | 2.72 |
Borrowing Cost Comparison (based on 2009 data)
Borrowing Cost Comparison (based on 2009 data)| This Field Partner | Median for MFI Peers in Country | All Kiva Partners | ||
| Portfolio Yield | N/A | N/A | 35.02% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profitability (Return on Assets) | N/A | N/A | -0.38% | |
| Average Loan Size (% of Per Capita Income) | N/A | 51.50% | 46.53% |
Country Fast Facts
Country Fast Facts- Country:
- Kenya
- Capital:
- Nairobi
- Official Language:
- English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages
- Population:
- 32,021,856
- Avg Annual Income:
- $1,445
- Labor Force:
- agriculture 75%
- Population Below Poverty Line:
- 50%
- Literacy Rate:
- 85.10%
- Infant Mortality Rate (per 1000):
- 62.62 deaths
- Life Expectancy:
- 44.94 years
Field Partner Staff
Madison AyerAmy Barth
Alexei Bezborodov
Elin Eliasson
Tarek Kholoussy
Andrew Loebus