A CHARITABLE duo from Abbots Langley are hoping to transform the fortunes of a Zimbabwean village, by raising cash to pay for beehives.

Rudi Gray, from Summerhouse Way, and Betty Lawson, from Leavesden High Road, are set to host a barn dance – the Honey Bug Ball - in Leavesden on Saturday, January 14.

According to the friends, their aim is to raise money from the event to pay for beehives for Kazingizi village.

Ms Lawson explained: “Rudi and I have been involved with the Friends of Tariro project for a good number of years now.

“We’ve set up an orphanage and school for children, we’ve helped pay for schooling for many of the children, we’ve given clothing and shoes and we’ve even managed to get the local football team a new kit.

“Not so long ago we set up what we called the ‘Pig project’. Villagers were taught to rear pigs, so that they might provide for the village.

“But we’ve found this has run into difficulty. The pigs are quite literally eating them out of house and home, and for the starving families in Kazingizi, it’s not a particularly viable project at the moment.

“Instead, what we’ve decided to do is to help villagers start their own ‘bee business’.”

Ms Lawson and Mrs Gray are hoping to set up a number of beehives in Kazingizi, so that villagers can produce their own honey and beeswax products.

Ms Lawson, 72, said: “It’s about helping them to help themselves.

“There is a demand for honey and beeswax products. If we could set up an industry in Kazingizi, the villagers would be able to reap the rewards. Who knows, in years to come, they could be a prominent force in the marketplace.

“There is also the fact that there is a shortage of bees around the world. By creating and maintaining hives they will be encouraging and supporting bees.

“Not to mention what a great study tool it will be for the younger villagers. They will be learning about nature firsthand.”

The pair has set themselves a target of raising £3,000, which will pay for materials to construct the hives, bee-keeping wear and a machine to filter honey. They have already spent £50 on an introduction pack which will show villagers how to construct the hives and keep the bees.

Mother-of-two Mrs Gray, 49, first became involved with the charity following the death of her sister Grace.

She said: “My sister died of HIV leaving behind three children - Askurcra, Berlin, Cracia - who essentially became orphans.

“At first I wanted to find a way to help them, but then it grew into something bigger.

"I am originally from the village in Zimbabwe and understand what poverty is, so I have been raising as much as possible to help street children who have no means of education, or life.

“The bee project is something new, something different. We want to help villagers create and support their way of life.

“So please come along to our Honey Bug party. You’ll have a ball.”

Friends of Tariro is supported by ROPE (Relief for Oppressed People Everywhere) Charitable Trust.

The Honey Bug Ball will be held at the Orbital Community Centre, Haines Way, Leavesden, Watford, from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £7, £5 concessions.

Food and refreshments will be on offer and there be more information available about the project. There will also be quizzes during the evening, with prizes up-for grabs. To find out more, or to purchase tickets, call Betty on 01923 67 69 80 or Rudi on 07732 68 78 70.