Widow rebuilds life with beekeeping, inspires rural women

In Nabouwalu Village in Bua, the steady hum of bees now defines daily life for 60-year-old Bernadette Kateia Delana, and it is helping her rebuild her future.

Since starting a small beekeeping business in October last year, Ms Delana has found a reliable source of income right at home.

With just a few beehives, she harvested 18 litres of honey in her first collection, selling each litre for $30.

“It’s not hard work for me,” she says. “It’s something I can manage on my own.”

Every few weeks, she checks on her hives, ensuring the bees are healthy, before waiting patiently for the next harvest. The income, though modest, now helps support her daily needs.

But the journey to this point has not been easy.

Originally from Kese, Naviti in Yasawa, Ms Delana moved to Nabouwalu after getting married. She built her life there with her husband until 2012, when he passed away after a long illness.

Left to raise six children on her own, she faced years of hardship.

“There were hard days,” she says. “Sometimes it was difficult to even put food on the table. But I had my children, so I had to keep going.”

She took on whatever work she could find, selling fish, parcels, pies, and puddings at the market, and working as a cleaner and cook.

Every dollar went towards feeding her children and keeping them in school.

“I didn’t rely on anyone,” she says. “Whatever I earned in a day, that’s what we lived on.”

In 2016, her home was damaged during a cyclone, adding another challenge. She later left her job to focus on small businesses to rebuild and continue supporting her family.

Years of sacrifice slowly paid off. Today, three of her children are studying and preparing to graduate, while her youngest is already working.

“I’m thankful to God for where they are now,” she says.

Now, through beekeeping, Ms Delana has found not just income, but independence and stability.

For her, the beehives represent more than honey — they are proof that it is never too late to start again.

Her message to other women, especially widows, comes from experience:

“Don’t give up. Whatever you do, do it for your children. Trust in God and keep going.”