The staff at Vancouver's Chambar Restaurant have teamed up for a 24-hour fundraising marathon this weekend in support of anti-poverty honey and beekeeping initiatives in Liberia.
The inaugural initiative, entitled #SweetRelief, will see the restaurant's owners, managers, and front-and back-of-house staff remain on shift and serve patrons around the clock beginning at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 26 and wrapping up at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 27 (Easter Sunday). One hundred per cent of sales will go to the West Vancouver-based Universal Outreach Foundation in support of its Liberian Advanced Beekeeper's Training Program and the Liberia Pure Honey social enterprise. Chambar hopes to raise $50,000 through its employees' efforts for the cause.
"We were delighted that our staff were quick to support and take on the challenge. We even have old staff who have volunteered to be part of this event," says Chambar owner and operator Karri Schuermans, a North Vancouver resident.
The Universal Outreach Foundation works to serve vulnerable and impoverished children and their communities in Honduras, Central America, Burundi, East Africa and Liberia, West Africa. The humanitarian organization was founded in 2003 and is run by the West Vancouver-based Bubbs family - Kent Sr. and wife Gerry, their daughter Kelly Van Unen and son Kent Bubbs Jr. and his wife Landis Wyatt. Over the years the organization has worked to build schools and bridges as well as restore and dig wells, and contribute positively to economic development in the communities it's active in.
Wyatt, the foundation's communications co-ordinator, says they're always thrilled when people partner with them for events.
"It's invigorating, heartwarming and vital," she writes, reached via email as she and husband Kent Jr., the foundation's country director for Liberia, are currently working out of Paynesville, Liberia. "I say invigorating because it's exciting to collaborate with people like Karri and Nico (Schuermans) from Chambar to come up with a fun idea for an event where people can give and receive while sharing the experience with family and friends. It's heartwarming because we love what we do and we're always touched when someone meets us, listens to our story, then wants to be a part of it. It's vital to us because ultimately Universal Outreach is a lean and efficient grassroots organization. This means Kent and I oversee our projects and do most of the fundraising. We come home for a few months each year to share our stories with the Universal Outreach community, but it never feels like we have enough time. When a business like Chambar ... takes up our cause and spreads the word on our behalf it lightens our load, connects us to people we may have not had the chance to meet and energizes us by being a part of a collaborative effort," she writes.
A recent focus of the Universal Outreach Foundation has been beekeeping.
According to Wyatt, Liberia's GDP per capita is $421. "That's a very low number. Combine this with the fact that the number one occupation in rural Liberia is farming and you'll understand that farmers don't make much money. Beekeeping targets some of Liberia's lowest income earners and gives them a value-added skill that boosts their bank accounts and increases crop production," she says.
The growing honey industry has also created the opportunity for a Liberianmade line of beekeeping products, which means tailors, welders, carpenters and tin benders can all financially benefit from beekeeping.
The foundation mentors a social enterprise, Liberia Pure Honey, which employs two full-time sales agents, two part-time warehouse staff and a part-time accountant. In addition, as part of its Advanced Beekeeper's Training Program, the foundation employs a beekeeper training and extension work team comprised of seven of Liberia's top beekeepers.
"We increased the team recently because we see the potential for the industry to grow and we want to be ready. This group travels throughout all of Liberia to train new beekeepers and provide them with critical hands-on support. Let's also not forget the delicious and nutritious honey that Liberians now get to enjoy without any bees being harmed by honey hunters - that's a great benefit too," states Wyatt.
Schuermans says they were drawn to the foundation and its two beekeeping initiatives as they wanted to make a significant contribution towards a cause where there was a great need with an organization that had good transparency.
"The average income in Liberia is $1.73 (CDN) a day.. .. Universal Outreach Foundation puts 100 per cent of funds raised towards their programs without taking an administration fee. The Advanced Beekeeping Training Program, and the Liberia Pure Honey social enterprise both provide a sustainable economy for participants.. .. Master beekeepers come from overseas as volunteers, offering further training and mentorship," she says.
All the supplies for beekeeping are made locally including the smokers, beekeeping suits and hives. "Not only is beekeeping providing an income for the people of Liberia, but it prevents deforestation as this is the only other alternative income - and obviously not sustainable," she says.
Wyatt says there is a serious demand for Liberia honey within the country and they need to train more beekeepers so additional people can benefit from "honey money."
"This additional income source translates into paying school fees, medical bills, home improvements and expansion of hives. That's essential money to families here. The more people back in Vancouver that give to our beekeeping program means the more people we can train as beekeepers and the more financially stable families in Liberia will be. Investing in our beekeeping extension team is another exciting opportunity as this team is essential to the success of this very important industry. They are also monitoring and collecting data on the bee populations here so we can better understand how to keep bee populations in West Africa healthy," she says.
When asked how she anticipates the 24-hour marathon going, Schuermans says she isn't worried.
"Our general manager is a 50-kilometre cross-country marathon runner with experience in eating for stamina. Obviously there will be a lot of green tea and coffee consumption, but (we'll be) mainly trying to keep the restaurant full, and busy with great energy," she says.
During the 24 hours of #SweetRelief, Chambar's regular, à la carte dinner menu will be served from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. and its brunch menu will be on offer from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. A number of honey-themed items will also be available, including a honey cocktail.
In addition, Chambar has imported Liberia Pure Honey to be used in some dishes. As well, diners will be given a complimentary two ounce ampoule while supplies last.
Schuermans says they hope to make #SweetRelief an annual event and encourage community members to show their support this weekend.
"It's Easter weekend, a time when friends and family come together, springtime, and renewal, a time to refresh our perceptions and be grateful. In this spirit we hope people come and enjoy a meal with the people they love, knowing that 100 per cent of sales are going to a great cause," she says.
For those unable to attend this weekend but interested in supporting the fundraiser, the restaurant has set up an online fundraising page at chimp.net/campaigns/chambar-restaurant-sweet-relief. To make a reservation, visit chambar.com/reservations.
For more information on the Universal Outreach Foundation, visit universaloutreachfoundation.org.
