Edsall Volunteer Trip to Zambia
Donation protected
Who are we?
My name is Sean Edsall. I am a freelance videographer and bartender at Old Bust Head Brewery. My mother is Louise Edsall and is the educator for a non-profit with a mission to spread awareness, teach and inspire kids about honey bees and the valuable role they play in our food supply.
Since I was kid I've loved science and the great outdoors. My mom being a zoologist/biologist and my science teacher for many years, I naturally felt at home whenever outside or around animals. When she picked up beekeeping, I knew I wanted to help. I am no bee keeper yet, but I would call myself some sort of assistant. Honey bees are fascinating creatures and they are a necessity to our food supply.
What this is for?
Through many unordinary circumstances and events, my mother and I have a chance to be part of something big and something that needs to happen. We have been invited to Zambia to be apart of the Zambia Festival of Action created by Greenpop. Greenpop is an organization that has put themselves in charge of reconnecting people with the earth. Reforesting Africa in areas denuded of trees. They host a work action festival each year in Livingstone, Zambia and they want a honey bee education program to be apart of it this year. We want to be there the last week of June through the first week of July, roughly. The maginificent part of this story is how it all happened. The founders of Greenpop were visiting the United States roughly a month ago and we met them at a rum tasting in Washington D.C. We instantly became friends and are hoping a partnership comes out of it. The idea that "trees need bees and bees need trees" brought us together and we want to see it through. My mom's passion has become the honey bee. Her other passion is to bring her education program around the world and teach as many people globally as possible for the benefit of honey bee and pollinator conservation. This trip would mean enormous things for honey bees and for the residents of South Africa. The idea of introducing trees back into their environment serves not only the earth through increased biodiversity, but the economic development of the community through opportunities as beekeepers that can sell products from the hive. For me as well, this trip would bring together my passion for film/photography and the great outdoors together. I would not only be helping with the program but documenting our work. I hope to produce videos of the trip and potentially a short film. Tent-camping, tree planting and honey bee education for 2 weeks; the adventure of a life-time that benefits people of the world!
Why we need you?
My mother working for the non-profit and myself working part time jobs, it's hard to find the money for the airfare to get to Zambia. That's why we and the bees need you. Since we only found out roughly a month ago, it's difficult to plan. Airfare at the last minute to Africa is not cheap. Each round trip ticket is between $1,600 and $2,000. We would be there the last week of June through the first week of July, roughly. If there is money leftover it will go to Greenpop and helping honey bee education.
How thankful?
Silly question. We couldn't possibly describe how thankful we would be. The enthusiasm we felt when we were asked to be apart of this was outstanding. I want to describe all the details of how it all came together, but I would rather wait for it to be a part of the film! I have been given so much in my life that I feel petty asking friends and strangers for money. The point of this isn't just for our sake of traveling to Africa. The point is to change the world and help make a difference. Each tree that will be planted will help Africa, the children of Africa and the world. Each human educated about pollinators and specifically the honey bee, wil be inspired to do what they can to help this species that is so crucial to our food supply. We hope we can make this happen so we can start changing the world. For that, there aren't enough words we could say to show our gratitude.
My name is Sean Edsall. I am a freelance videographer and bartender at Old Bust Head Brewery. My mother is Louise Edsall and is the educator for a non-profit with a mission to spread awareness, teach and inspire kids about honey bees and the valuable role they play in our food supply.
Since I was kid I've loved science and the great outdoors. My mom being a zoologist/biologist and my science teacher for many years, I naturally felt at home whenever outside or around animals. When she picked up beekeeping, I knew I wanted to help. I am no bee keeper yet, but I would call myself some sort of assistant. Honey bees are fascinating creatures and they are a necessity to our food supply.
What this is for?
Through many unordinary circumstances and events, my mother and I have a chance to be part of something big and something that needs to happen. We have been invited to Zambia to be apart of the Zambia Festival of Action created by Greenpop. Greenpop is an organization that has put themselves in charge of reconnecting people with the earth. Reforesting Africa in areas denuded of trees. They host a work action festival each year in Livingstone, Zambia and they want a honey bee education program to be apart of it this year. We want to be there the last week of June through the first week of July, roughly. The maginificent part of this story is how it all happened. The founders of Greenpop were visiting the United States roughly a month ago and we met them at a rum tasting in Washington D.C. We instantly became friends and are hoping a partnership comes out of it. The idea that "trees need bees and bees need trees" brought us together and we want to see it through. My mom's passion has become the honey bee. Her other passion is to bring her education program around the world and teach as many people globally as possible for the benefit of honey bee and pollinator conservation. This trip would mean enormous things for honey bees and for the residents of South Africa. The idea of introducing trees back into their environment serves not only the earth through increased biodiversity, but the economic development of the community through opportunities as beekeepers that can sell products from the hive. For me as well, this trip would bring together my passion for film/photography and the great outdoors together. I would not only be helping with the program but documenting our work. I hope to produce videos of the trip and potentially a short film. Tent-camping, tree planting and honey bee education for 2 weeks; the adventure of a life-time that benefits people of the world!
Why we need you?
My mother working for the non-profit and myself working part time jobs, it's hard to find the money for the airfare to get to Zambia. That's why we and the bees need you. Since we only found out roughly a month ago, it's difficult to plan. Airfare at the last minute to Africa is not cheap. Each round trip ticket is between $1,600 and $2,000. We would be there the last week of June through the first week of July, roughly. If there is money leftover it will go to Greenpop and helping honey bee education.
How thankful?
Silly question. We couldn't possibly describe how thankful we would be. The enthusiasm we felt when we were asked to be apart of this was outstanding. I want to describe all the details of how it all came together, but I would rather wait for it to be a part of the film! I have been given so much in my life that I feel petty asking friends and strangers for money. The point of this isn't just for our sake of traveling to Africa. The point is to change the world and help make a difference. Each tree that will be planted will help Africa, the children of Africa and the world. Each human educated about pollinators and specifically the honey bee, wil be inspired to do what they can to help this species that is so crucial to our food supply. We hope we can make this happen so we can start changing the world. For that, there aren't enough words we could say to show our gratitude.
Organizer and beneficiary
Sean Edsall
Organizer
Manassas, VA
Louise Edsall
Beneficiary
