Showing posts with label meliponines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meliponines. Show all posts
Often, little things are not given due attention, but these are the gems around us that make up our lives, our inner being. Like little drops of water that make an ocean, tiny grains of sand that make a mountain. Like tiny, glittering stars that fill the sky.
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| Abang, you're not going to see the stars you know... |
Sunday the 7th of June saw my two children, Aiman and Marzia, my bff Fauziah and I travelling to Bukit Kor in Marang, Terengganu for a scientific expedition organised by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The objective of the expedition was to scout for colonies of meliponines in the forest, especially the rare species and to salvage them before their habitat has to make way for the university's brand new campus.
Fauziah and I had earlier predicted that we would be able to go only about half the way. Although our spirits were more than willing, we cannot deny the fact that we are of that age where many would be staying home looking after their grandchildren. But the UMT team had prepared nasi dagang and roselle juice, plus meliponine honey for our breakfast so that would hopefully keep us energised throughout the 4-hour trekking.  |
| This was the first ever expedition of this sort and we were not about to miss this historical event! |
Suffice to say, our spirits ruled and we completed the whole course of the expedition just like everyone else. The forest adventure was the best experience I've had so far since being involved in meliponines, and the other participants had made the event that much more fun and interesting.
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| Marzia was thrilled when Prof. Dr. Shamsul from UMT handed her a pair of Nikon binoculars. Enough already Adik, it's time to move on! |
The pictures above are by Gee Shariff for Bilut Valley Bee Farm. I just love them and thought this post would be a great place and opportunity to share them!
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| Little did Aiman know that I was also nursing chronic inflammation of the skin on both my feet due to excessive sweating during farming. :-) |
I had not imagined that my son has taken over the responsibility of being the caretaker. I guess like most moms, I had thought that I had to always be the one looking out for the children and taking care of them till the day I die. And like most moms, although they are full grown adults, they would forever remain as our babies.
Aiman's words had brought tears to my eyes, and of course the compulsion to write this entry. I can't help but sense there's some pride in him that his mom had accomplished completing the course. These are but little things, but they give me enormous strength and desire to forge ahead and take on bigger challenges in my life. They are the precious gems that are priceless to me, and I cherish them more than anything else in this world.
A Promise Fulfilled : From Bilut Valley Bee Farm With Love
2 comments Posted by sistemannissa at Wednesday, April 01, 2015
This time I'm certain it's no coincidence. There is something to it which I just cannot fathom. First in 2007, then in 2010 followed by 2012. And now in 2015.
Finally, last week, we had collected enough honey to barely pack in four bottles. Yes, four...not exactly a production roll but it's a start, hehe! I had put a lot of thought into the labels that was going to grace my bottles of precious honey, and with input from the husband and my partners, we finally decided on a design. That was two days ago and I thought, okay, so what would be the best date in the nearest future to launch this?
I nearly flipped. My heart skipped a beat. I could feel the adrenaline rushing...it was scary too. I hadn't decided on the date earlier, couldn't. Plan I did, but that's as far as you can go. With bees...they call the shots. They decide when.
So here it is...the grand launching of the product from my wonderful, beloved meliponines...
on the 1st of April, 2015!!!
If the first three incidences (which I had written about in my earlier posts) on the first day of April are anything to go by, then I really hope that Bilut Valley Bee Farm honey will sustain and become a name to reckon with some day. The farm now has about sixty hives of which only half are ready for honey production. A good number to culture for commercial production would be a hundred, but there is already a waiting list of customers wanting to taste this very delectable honey which is less sweeter than most. It's tangy with a tinge of fruitiness, and will vary according to the nectar the bees forage on. But what's more important, meliponine honey is scientifically proven to contain a very large amount of antioxidants and has very good anti-bacterial properties. (Update: As of 30 April 2015, by the grace of Allah SWT, we now have a hundred hives at the farm.)
This is indeed a dream that really has come true. I have a few people that I am so grateful to, for without their support, this would certainly not have happened. My sweet sister Datin Aimi and her husband who has generously allowed us the use of his land and facilities, and a dearest friend who wants to be known as only Gee, I am forever indebted to the both of you. My children Aiman, Marzia and stepson Ayen and of course, my husband who believed in me and supported me all the way.
I must also mention people who have contributed by making doa' for me, Kak Yan and Ustaz Prof. Shahrin, and my eldest sister Prof. Azni and aunt Datin Prof. Rahimah who gave strong support and encouragement to start this project.
Praises to Allah, Who has shown that He listens, He provides and He guides. This is a mission accomplished. This is a promise fulfilled.
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