I am Majd, locally known as the Beekeeper of Gouda. My story did not begin in the Netherlands, but in Syria. There, I cared for my bee colonies as if they were family. The bees gave me peace, structure, and a deep connection with nature.

Because of the war, I lost my bees one by one. What was once a flourishing world slowly disappeared. I came to the Netherlands with hope and one dream: to start over and rebuild my bee family.

When I arrived here, something caught my attention. Despite the presence of flowers, there was little bee activity. This piqued my curiosity.

Research, including that by Wageningen University, shows that bee populations are under pressure. The native black bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), once widespread in the Netherlands, has become rare today.

For me, this was more than an observation; it became a mission.

With Holland Bijen, I am working on restoring bee life. Not only by producing honey, but by protecting bees, strengthening biodiversity, and making people aware of their crucial role in our nature.

Every beehive I place, every jar of honey I harvest, contributes to a greater goal: a future in which bees can flourish again.

Holland Bijen is not a product.
It is a promise to nature and to the next generation.