Visit with the French Apidology Observatory to the land of a thousand hills.
On Friday, September 26, H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco visited two educational apiaries run by the French Apidology Observatory (OFA) in Rwanda, in the Musanze region, accompanied by Thierry Dufresne, founder of the OFA. This visit is part of the Prince and his foundation's active support for the OFA's work to protect bees and biodiversity.
These teaching apiaries, located at the “Vierge des Pauvres” charity center in Ruhondo and at the One & Only hotel in the Volcanoes National Park, train vulnerable women in beekeeping. The aim is to offer them financial independence through honey production.
During his visit, the Prince spoke with the trainee beekeepers, highlighting the positive impact of this program on their dignity and living conditions. The trip ended with the inauguration of a new teaching apiary in Ruhengeri.
Since 2022, the OFA has also been conducting a research program in Rwanda on propolis harvested in the Nyungwe Forest, highlighting its antiseptic and antifungal properties, thereby enriching its global collection of propolis.
The Prince is continuing his trip to Rwanda and will attend the UCI World Cycling Championships before participating in the launch of the Carlos Takamà Boxing Academy in Kigali. Tomorrow, H.S.H. the Prince is scheduled to meet with Mr. Paul KAGAME, President of the Republic of Rwanda.
