Partners Worldwide
Partners Worldwide aspires to end poverty so that all may have life and have it abundantly.
James (Jim) Louwsma
28 Years in Sales/CBD; Minneapolis, Cincinnati & Baltimore, USA.
Other involved Alum: Zeke Swift
James (Jim) Louwsma and Zeke Swift have been catalysts in some of PW’s most impactful partnerships in Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. Jim and Zeke have been active with Partners Worldwide for the past 18 years, including volunteer roles as business and leadership mentors in Southern Africa, financial supporters and active in engaging other professional and technical volunteers. Currently Jim is serving as the lead volunteer (called a business affiliate or BA) for PW’s partnership with AfricaWorks Swaziland (AWS), where he serves as a coach and advocate for the leadership of AWS, reviewing annual plans and engaging people and resources to help AWS achieve their vision and goals for transformation in Eswatini. In addition, Jim continues to play a significant role in PW’s global leadership development, volunteering hundreds of hours advising PW in CEO Succession Planning, LCI Leadership Development, and PW’s interview processes.
Jim writes in his letter of recommendation: “My work with PW started 18 years ago in Southern Africa as a business volunteer. I remain involved with PW because of their commitment to build on the talents of local business people and their strategy to utilize market-driven, sustainable models of economic and business development. This year’s project is a strategic next step as AWS strengthens their digital farm management and marketing systems while responding to climate risks via work with honey farmers in both highveld and lowveld regions.”
National statistics indicate that almost 60% of the Eswatini population lives in poverty. Begun in 2022, the Honey Value Chain was designed to increase the productivity of subsistence farmers through the addition of honey farming. Experience to date highlights opportunities to computerize the honey farming management system, continue close coaching of individual farmers, improve marketing visibility and standards and create more purchasing capacity at individual farm gates, expediting the farmers getting paid directly.
The $20,000 PGAF award will be used to address the improvement opportunities identified above with the intent of strengthening the effectiveness & efficiency of the value chain supporting the current 600 base farmers and the 150 new farmers. These specific grant funds will be used for a batch code printer, a farmer database management system, farmer training, transportation costs and honey purchases.
In Nceka Chiefdom, Eswatini, Mrs. Grace Mbonane is building a sustainable future through beekeeping. As a wife and mother of eight dependents, she manages an apiary alongside her thriving orchard of mango, avocado, and lemon trees, creating a stable livelihood for her family.
With support from Africa Works Swaziland (AWS) and a grant from P&G, Grace received training and two hives. Her bees play a vital role in pollinating her orchard, leading to increased fruit yields, while the trees provide pollen that enhances honey production. AWS not only supports her honey production but also ensures she has access to reliable markets, purchasing her honey and helping her generate a steady income. This allows her to afford essentials like food, clothing, and school fees for her children.
Beyond honey, Grace benefits from the flourishing orchard, producing high-quality fruit that she can sell locally. The combination of beekeeping and farming has created a cycle of growth and sustainability. Grateful for the opportunity, she reflects, “Beekeeping has increased my orchard’s yield, quality, and income.”