THE BUTTERFLY TREE CHARITY

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The Butterfly Tree is a non-political, non-government organisation registered in the UK and Zambia. We promote equality. We do not discriminate against people on grounds of sex, race, disability or religion.

FOUNDER JANE KAYE-BAILEY WITH MEMBERS OF THE ZAMBIAN NGO

All the projects we raise money for are to help vulnerable children and rural communities in Zambia. We support children and adults with intellectual impairment, disabilities, those living with HIV, those from different tribal and religious backgrounds.

MUKUNI SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM FUNDED BY THE CHARITY

Our first involvement in 2006 was with Mukuni Village, where the Toka Leya people have lived, close to the mighty Victoria Falls, for several hundred years. We have since expanded our work throughout the Southern Province, mainly in the Kazumgula District, where you find the Toka leya, Lozi, and Tonga tribes living in harmony.

THE TOKA LEYA PEOPLE – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Due to falling copper prices, a recent drought and tourism at a standstill due to COVID-19, the Zambian economy is weak. Sadly many people rely on international aid. Thanks to the significant support we have received more children have access to safe clean water, feeding programmes, better healthcare and advanced education. The Butterfly Tree is the biggest contributor to education in the Kazungula District.

Last week schools in Zambia reopened for grades 7, 9 and 12. Pupils will sit their all-important examinations later in the year. We have provided protection for 21 schools in the District. The newly build satallite school, funded by the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Trust, has helped to provide extra space for 408 pupils at River View School to follow social distancing. In recent years River View has been transformed from a community school to a secondary schools with 1,600 pupils.

RIVER VIEW CLASSROOM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This month we aim to install at least ten boreholes for remote schools and communities that do not have access to safe clean drinking water. It is now the dry season and no rain is expected until November. Besides providing drinking water the boreholes enable schools and rural people to grow vegetables for home consumption and to sell in markets.

ZALU BOREHOLE USED BY THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

In addition, we will be adding six water reticulation systems for the bigger schools to have income-generating enterprises as well as providing feeding programmes. The grant award, which we received from Corteva Agriscience earlier this year, has greatly boosted our food and water projects.

WATER SYSTEM AND FEEDING PROGRAMME – NGANDU SCHOOL

With COVID-19 attributing to the increase in poverty, most especially for those communities close to Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, we are working with tourism consultants to find solutions to improve the tourism experiences in the area. Our aim is to create community lead initiatives for youths who have completed school. A grant received from TheirWorld has offered an opportunity for five young women to be trained in hotel management, catering and tourism.

Our malaria prevention programme has received substantial support from numerous Inner Wheel Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland thanks to the Chairman of their International Service Committee selecting The Butterfly Tree and Medical Film Aids as her charities of the year. We are absolutley delighted that this will continue for a second year.

We are very grateful to everyone for the tremendous support during this very difficult time. The global demand is greater than ever – we will endeavour to reach out to those most in need with the funds we receive.

Children with Special Needs

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Life in Zambian rural villages is tough for most children, but if you have learning or physical difficulties it can be incredibly hard. The Butterfly Tree has supported a programme for children with special needs since 2008. Our work was praised by HRH Princess Royal after selecting this as one of the areas she wanted to see when she visited the charity in 2012.

HRH Princess Roya; visit to Mukuni Special Education Class

Before our involvement there was no support for these vulnerable children in rural villages. Families on low or no income were unable to send their children to boarding schools in townships so they had to remain at home. The Zambian government welcomed our input after we build a special education unit at Mukuni Village. With help from Fountaindale SE School in Nottinghamshire we subsequently received volunteers, educational materials and teacher’s training.

Special Education Class – Mukuni Primary School

One of the first beneficiaries was Joseph, who has Cerebral Palsy. When I first met Joseph at the age of six he could not speak, had difficulty with balance and frequently fell over. He lived at home with his grandparents and was unable to attend school. The charity donated funds for Joseph to have physiotherapy – whithin a year the difference was remarkable, and in less than two years Joseph could run.

Joseph, at the ager of seven, has Cerebral Palsy

I then made a request to the special education teacher at Mukuni for Joseph to attend school just one day per week. He responded so well that the following week he attended every day. He had no use in his right arm. One day when I was visiting the class, Joseph started drawing on the blackboard, using his right hand. The stimulation from being at school really helped him progress. Now, at the age of 10, Joseph can string words together and actively engages with other children, even playing football!

Joseph, aged ten, loves football

Following this success we built three more units for Katapazi, Simango and River View Schools in the Chiefdoms of Mukuni, Musokotwane and River View Schools, respectively. A recent donation from Lasswade Primary School will provide much needed materials for children with special needs. One of the school’s teachers is raising funds for a further unit to be added to Kauwe Junior Secondary School.

Pupils at River View School sing to visitors and use sign language

We have helped many more children like Joseph, but as always, more funds are needed to reach out to these underprivileged children with special needs.

Special Education for Mukuni

Posted on January 30, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Life in Zambia is tough for a school child, especially if you an orphan and have little financial support to pursue your education. Life is is even tougher if you are a child with physical or mental disabilities. The Butterfly Tree has been working on a number of ways that we can help these disadvanteged children. Now thanks to some amazing offers we are able to set up a Special Education department.

The Besom has generously donated funds to buy the materials for a classoom block to be built at Mukuni Basic School. The charity and community will supply the labour costs. We have also received a grant from St James Place Foundation Newbury Office, which will pay for materials and uniforms for the pupils. Fountaindale Special School in Mansfield, who caters for children with severe disabilities are offering on going support through fundraising and the provison of materials. They have held a number of events to raise funds for these African children who they believe to be worse off than they are. I am so touched by the genorosity of this school as their pupils need so much care and yet their selflessness will improve the lives of children who need special education in Mukuni Village.

Special Education for Mukuni: Siabajene has learning difficulties

This will be a great advancement for Mukuni and Zambia education as very little is available from the government who will only provide a teacher. To further enhance this project you can donate a donkey to transport a disabled child to school or sponsor an orphan.

Special Needs Help for Mukuni

Posted on July 5, 2009 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

In most western countries children with physical or mental special needs are able to receive an education, African children are less fortunate. Last year the Zambian government provided Mukuni Basic School with a special educational needs teacher and that was all. No materials, no equipment or transportation for children in outreach villages who are physically disabled, life is tough for these special African children.

Special Needs for Mukuni: Idrin Gani is disabled and now rides a donkey to school

Fortunately thanks to two generous offers The Butterfly Tree is now able to set up a new program for these disadvantaged pupils at Mukuni Basic School. St. James’ Place Foundation has given us a generous donation to purchase materials and equipment, after one of their partners and his wife visited Zambia.

Leonnie Mangan who works for Fountaindale School in Mansfield, a Specialist SEN School and the largest in the UK, volunteered to go out to Mukuni with her sister in July 2008. Working on behalf of The Butterfly Tree they assisted at Mukuni Health Centre and school. After seeing how little funding the special education teacher had to run her classes, on her return home Leonnie got her own school involved. Fountaindale have offered to provide some of the essential books and materials and are currently looking into setting up a teachers’ exchange program. The children at this school have also raised funds, one little boy who has to be intranenously fed said that he’d like to raise funds so that the African children could have some nice food.

This is a great boost for Mukuni. The Butterfly Tree is also raising funds to purchase donkeys to transport the disabled children who are unable to walk to school. If anyone would like to donate a donkey the cost is £70.