HOUSTON, TEXAS.- In a unique effort to promote women’s empowerment and economic development in Northern Pakistan, Hashoo Foundation USA, partnership with the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston (MOCAH) and Rotary Club of Houston Skyline, hosted the Plan Bee Art Exhibit and Fundraiser on Thursday, November 17th.
The event was a great success thanks to the participation of more than 150 supporters from the Houston international, business, non-profit, and academic communities who attended our event.
Portia Leyendecker; Cemalettin Aydın, Consul Genral of Turkey; Mariam Issa, Leader Pakistan Community; Cristal Montañéz, HF director;Reginald Adams, MOCAH president and CEO; Barbara Aksamit, HF director and Bill King.
The Plan Bee Art Exhibit featured art pieces from the following incredible artists Rhonda Radford - Adams, T Anthony, Elisabet Barranco, Amanda Flores, Nia Jacob, Ann Johnson, Cherry Meekins, Ami Metha, Hilary Orr, Michelle, Dilek Saleh, Anu Srivastav, Sam Turner and Munira Veljani. These women artists from around the world shared their creativity and artwork to raise funds to purchase new beehives for the women beekeepers who lost their beehives to the floods in Pakistan. The beekeepers are part of the Hashoo Foundation Women's Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee. Several of the pieces of art were inspired by the queen bee and the beehive.
Rhonda Radford - Adams, T Anthony, Elisabet Barranco, Amanda Flores, Nia Jacob, Ann Johnson, Cherry Meekins, Ami Metha, Hilary, Orr, Michelle, Dilek Saleh, Anu Srivastav, Sam Turner and Munira Veljani
"In alignment with MOCAH's mission to use art and creativity as tools for social awareness and community development, it’s an honor to work with the Hashoo Foundation and some amazing women artists to raise awareness and funds for economic empowerment programs for women around the world", said Reginald Adams, MOCAH president and CEO.
The venue, Americas River Oaks, was the perfect setting for the Plan Bee Art Exhibit and the display of beehives and honey. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the University of St. Thomas Social Entrepreneur Program (SEP) members. Chef David Cordúa infused a touch of honey into the Pakistani inspired delicacies and Hashoo Honey Punch.
Cherry Meekins and the Queen Bee. An Nahl 68 by Ami Mehta
Beekeeper consultant, Shelley Rice from Walking R, and landscaper specialist, Portia Leyendecker from Leyendecker Landscaper, presented an incredible display of local flowering plants and shrubs that attract bees. The display included some beekeeping equipment and tools, and delicious pieces of honey comb for our guests to try.
Guests were amazed by the presence of a real “queen bee” and her worker bees in a glass museum style display. Everyone had the opportunity to taste our Mountain Honey produce by the beekeepers in Pakistan and honey produced in the Houston area, as to compare their flavor, texture and color.
Kenny and Kenny junior Isbell. Beekeeper consultant Shelley Rice.
Hashoo Foundation USA is honored to partner with some of Houston’s top women artists, service organizations and art institutions to empower women in Pakistan through Plan Bee.
Cristal Montañéz, executive director of the Hashoo Foundation USA, reported “more beehives are still needed to help the beekeepers rebuild their honey business. The income the beekeepers earned through their small honey enterprises will improve their quality of life and ensure their children have safe, happy and healthy futures. Economic development programs, like Plan Bee, will strengthen vulnerable communities and help decrease poverty and the influence of extremism in Pakistan.”
Nicolleta Talpur, Pakistani-Italian community; Elif Ulusa, Turkish Community; Cristal Montañéz, HF executive director; Janice and William Visinsky.
For more information on Plan Bee 300 Beehives for 100 Women, please contact:
Cristal Montañéz
cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org
Click to view the Plan Bee Picture Gallery
There are many more women beekeepers that need your help. Hashoo Foundation USA encourages schools, organizations and individuals to donate beehives. Every $106 raise will help the women earn a stable income to support themselves and their dependents.
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Plan Bee References and Publications
About 300 Beehives for 100 Women. 
Documentary: Hashoo Foundation’s Plan Bee a year after winning the BBC/Newsweek World Challenge 2008 Global Competition.
The Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project Plan Bee is a Clinton Global Initiative Featured Commitment.
Documentary: Hashoo Foundation’s Plan Bee is the Winner of the BBC/Newsweek World Challenge 2008 Global Competition. 
Shell Global Website features Hashoo Foundation's Plan Bee Creating a buzz in Pakistani villages
Houston Chronicle Plan Bee empowers women with honey. The Red Pub Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project
The Daily Cougar - Heights beekeeping a sweet planOrganization invites Houstonians to keep beehives, help women in need
Pakistan News
Plan Bee Art Exhibit and Fundraiser Partner Organizations
The mission of Hashoo Foundation is to enable and empower communities to be independent by facilitating equitable access to opportunities.
The mission of the Museum of Cultural Arts Houston is to use art and creativity as tools for social awareness, educational enrichment and community development.
www.mocah.org
www.mocah.org
The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
www.rotary.org
www.rotary.org
Contact:
Cristal Montañéz Baylor, Executive Director
HASHOO FOUNDATION USA
cristalmontanez@hashoofoundationusa.org
Toni Harris
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