During my recent visit to Zambia is was apparent that our support is having a substantial impact on orphans and vulnerable children. No more so than at River View secondary school where I found motivated pupils who are keen to complete their education and aspire to a better future. At the end of term assembly it was wonderful to hear, first hand from the pupils under our sponsorship, just how much they embrace going to school and that our support is very much appreciated.
After the Ministry of Education announced their decision to separate secondary and primary schools The Butterfly Tree is currently constructing an additional classroom block for River View secondary school. This school is located in Kazungula, an area where there is a high level of HIV and social challenges. A further 1×3 classroom block at Musokotwane was completed last month. Included in the donation are desks, computers and science equipment as well as power for the entire school. The Murphy Family Foundation generous funded the development of these two secondary schools.
NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
We are initiating more projects to empower young people and promote football to keep them occupied. A recent donation from Carnforth Rotary Club to buy kits for 22 members of the under-seventeen girls’ team at River View, has boosted their confidence.
RIVER VIEW UNDER SEVENTEEN GIRLS FOOTBALL TEAM RECEIVE FOOTBALL KITS
Twenty seven special education pupils at Mukuni were each given a sports kit so that they may compete in inter-schools athletics competitions. The donation included a football and netball. This month two volunteers from the UK are offering sports coaching and after school activities, as well as helping in the special education and mainstream at Mukuni primary school.
MUKUNI SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS RECEIVE NEW SPORTS KITS
Thanks to a substantial grant from Give a Hand, Canada, young people with physical and mental health challenges from Mukuni, Ngandu and Kamwi, have been given the opportunity to be involved in income generating enterprises. These include chicken rearing, and vegetable and crop growing. A workshop and chicken coop are soon to be completed. A borehole and water system situated in Kamwi village will provide a continual water supply for vegetable growing. College courses for six young people, and skills training are also being offered.
WORKSHOP AND CHICKEN COOP UNDER CONSTRUCTION – MUKUNI
The request for boreholes has increased considerably since the onset of the drought. So far this month we successfully drilled three boreholes at Katondo, Siamuya and Masamu Muyumu schools, each will be shared with the neighbouring villages. Boreholes were also installed at Ndele health post and for a community project in Senkobo. I saw the impact that the drought is having on the people. According to scientists this is mainly due El Niño and climate change and is the worst in over 40 years. As more streams and shallow wells become dry, people will become desperate for water. The next rains are not due until October.
BOREHOLE FOR NDELE HEALTH POST
Everywhere I drove I observed perished fields of maize, sorghum and millet – food is in short supply. The nation has lost half its crops due to lack of rain. Vegetables, normally grown in abundance during the rainy season, were in short supply as the extreme heat in March caused seedlings to wilt. Elderly women told me that the only food they had to eat were nuts and wild vegetables. Many people I met were already reduced to one meal per day. During the next few months we will be sourcing grant aid and appealing for donations to buy bags of maize. A 25kg bag of maize, which will feed a family of four for three weeks costs £10.
WOMEN COLLECT NUTS AND WILD VEGETABLES FROM THE BUSH
Despite all the challenges thousands more orphans, vulnerable children, and young people are being empowered.
If you would like to make a donation please click on this link or contact jane@thebutterlytree.org.uk
The Butterfly Tree, founded in 2006, is about to complete another successful year. In the past year we developed more schools, built a new health post, installed boreholes and toilets, and initiated sustainable income-generating projects for women and young people with disabilities, to provide food security.
In addition we distributed thousands of mosquito nets for the prevention for malaria and sponsored new orphans and vulnerable children in primary and secondary schools.
SPONSORED PUPILS – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Constructed by former sponsored orphans, this month our trained youth builders completed a 1×3 classroom block for Musokotwane Secondary school. Generously funded by The Murphy Family Foundation the donation includes computers, science equipment and desks, as well as power for the entire school. Furthermore the donor is funding a 1×3 classroom block at River View Secondary school, which is currently under construction.
NEW IX3 CLASSROOM BLOCK – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
This week our young builders will commence construction for a new secondary school at Nguba, which will include a 1×3 classroom block, a staff house and toilets. A further team will head to Bbombe Lyangoma, a remote area in Nyawa, to build a 1×2 classroom block and toilets for their community school. Both are being funded by a private donor.
BBOMBE LYANGOMA COMMUNITY SCHOOL TO RECEIVE A 1X2 CLASSROOM BLOCK AND TOILETS
The special education class at Mukuni recently received donations of footballs, sports kits and learning materials. This facility is vital in helping children, who have a wide range of difficulties, including intellectual impairment and Cerebral Palsy, to keep active and to be educated. The charity also built special education classrooms at Katapazi and Simango schools, and offers ongoing support.
SPECIAL EDUCATION PUPILS – MUKUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL
March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness month and without our support children like Joseph, may not have been able to walk let alone be educated. At the age of six Joseph could not walk. The charity funded a 12-month course of physiotherapy after which he was sponsored to go to school. Now aged fifteen Joseph thrives at the special education class and plays football.
JOSEPH TRIVES AT MUKUNI SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS
A health post at Mabwa, consisting of a clinic, two staff houses, toilets, biodigester for waste, a borehole and equipment, is now complete. This facility will shortly be handed over to the Ministry of Health who will provide trained medical staff, and the ongoing costs. A generous grant from the Overseas Aid and Development Commissionof Guernsey funded this project.
WOMEN IN MABWA CELEBRATING THE NEW HEALTH FACILITY
Following on from the distribution of mosquito nets in Mabwa and neigbouring schools, children in Kauwe Primary and Secondary schools received 1,000 nets as part of our ‘Mosquito nets for Schools’ programme. The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust generously support this programme.
DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – KAUWE
This month we successfully drilled three boreholes for Nguba Secondary school, and Kamusiku and Monono Primary schools and surrounding villages. A further two boreholes will be drilled this week. We are currently developing sustainable food projects for women, and young people with physical and mental health challenges with the support from our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, and private donors.
DRILLING FOR WATER – NGUBA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Water and food projects are paramount. On the 1st March, the President, Hakainde Hichilema, declared the prolonged dry spells in Zambia as a National Disaster and Emergency. ‘Today, with heavy heart, we address you, as our beloved country faces a severe drought, the worst of its kind, caused by the El Niño weather conditions in the 2023/24 rain season and influenced by climate change.’
Though we cannot help everyone we are sourcing funds to install additional water systems and to provide new innovative solutions to end hunger. Our aim is for more women to manage food security for their families and for income-generation. If you would like to offer a donation please click on this link to see the different options or contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk
Thank you to all our donors, volunteers and fundraisers for your tremendous support and I would to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Easter.
After the recent outbreak of cholera in Zambia, that has been contained, schools, colleges and universities opened on the 8th February. Fortunately, cholera was not prevalent in areas of the Kazungula District where we work.
MUKUNI SECONDARY SCHOOL
We are aiming to supply more schools and communities with boreholes to provide safe drinking water, to help prevent diseases such as cholera, and for the irrigation of community vegetable growing projects. After the poor rainy season in the Southern Province boreholes are vital for health and food production.
SIAMBELELE BOREHOLE DRILLING
In addition to the agricultural project for disabled youths in Mukuni, Ngandu and Kamwi villages we are initiating more sustainable income-generating projects for women. The existing women’s Mangoes of Hope project, also funded by Give a Hope Canada, has been given a boost. After donating fencing, seeds and fertilizer, the women are growing broccoli, cauliflower and beans for the tourism industry.
VEGETABLE GROWERS – MUSOKOTWANE WOMEN
A second group of women in Musokotwane will have a similar project. A borehole has already been installed and once the water system is in place and the area fenced, the women will get to work. Another project for women in Siambelele village, Mukuni Chiefdom is also underway after a borehole was installed at the end of 2023. These projects are invaluable for improving food security and for giving women a opportunity to earn money to support their families.
SIAMBELELE WOMEN WELCOME A NEW INITIATIVE
Thanks to continual support from Blooms The Chemist, Australia, three rural clinics in Simonga, Bunsanga and Mambova receive a continual donation of medical equipment and supplies. The Ministry of Health are providing additional structures at Simonga, which will become a ‘walk-in’ clinic for people travelling to and from the Botswana border. A new health post, that we are currently building, in the remote village of Mabwa, in Nyawa Chiefdom will shortly be completed. This is thanks to a grant received from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission.
BUNSANGA HEALTH POST – NYAWA CHIEFDOM
Since the government announced that Primary and Secondary schools are to be separated there is a need for more classrooms in most schools. In addition to a substantial donation from The Murphy Family Foundation, which has enabled us to construct two 1×3 classroom blocks at Musokotwane and River View Secondary schools we have funding in place from private donors to construct three more. Nguba Secondary and Bbombwe Lyangoma Primary schools are next on the list!
MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM 1X3 BLOCK
For those of you who kindly donated to our appeal to restore Musokotwane Primary school after a storm had caused extensive damage, the school now has new and reinforced roofs.
NEW ROOF FOR MUSOKOTWANE PRIMARY SCHOOL
None of the above could have been achieved without the tremendous support from our existing and new donors, and to our incredible team of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia.
In January 2006 I first visited Mukuni Village, a far cry from the luxury hotel I was staying at alongside the mighty Victoria Falls. Little did I know that just two hours spent meeting the friendly and humble Leya people would result in a life-changing experience.
THE MIGHTY VICTORIA FALLS
Eighteen years on I am still as passionate about helping orphans as I ever was. The Butterfly Tree has transformed the lives of thousands of vulnerable children and continues to expand our work to remote areas in the Southern Province of Zambia. Earlier this month grades 7 and 9 results were announced and most of the pupils under sponsorship have passed their exams, those attending River View school have done particularly well.
SPONSORED PUPILS – RIVER VIEW
2024 has got off to a great start with funding in place for another 1×3 classroom block thanks to the generosity of a private donor. Currently we are constructing a classroom block at River View Secondary school, two more will shortly be under construction and another one will be completed this month at Musokotwane Secondary school. We are so grateful for the support of The Murphy Family Foundation and other donors.
1X3 CLASSROOM BLOCK OPENING IN FEBRUARY – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY
The Ministry of Education is changing the Zambian education system. In future primary schools will accommodate only grades 1 to 7, while secondary schools will take grades 8 to 12. Hence the need for further development in secondary schools. Some schools like Ngandu have grades 1 to 9 and will remain with those classes for some time as they have adequate facilities for the number of pupils.
NGANDU PRIMARY SCHOOL
We received the second phase of funding from the Overseas Aid and Development Commission to complete the new health post for the Mabwa. The donation includes a clinic, two staff houses, a borehole, a biodigester for waste, equipment and supplies. We have already distributed the mosquito nets to the schools in this zone. Kauwe, another zone, where there is a high prevalence of malaria, has just received over 1,000 mosquito nets thanks to a generous grant from the The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust.
MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
Twenty seven orphans and vulnerable families are to be given new homes from our long-term donor, Motive Real Estate, Texas and an individual donor. These will be given to those living in the most dilapidated and overcrowded houses. The Mukuni Village Trust continues to sponsor 40 children on our orphan sponsorship programme. For over a decade this Australian group has supported the charity and Mukuni Chiefdom.
COMMUNITY HOUSE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN
Unfortunately, the new school year opening date has been pushed back due to an outbreak of cholera. The latest news from the World Health Organisation states: ‘Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF and others, World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the government to effectively roll out the oral cholera vaccination campaign as well as bolster ongoing outbreak control measures.‘ Though it is mainly in Lusaka, the capitol city, and townships, we are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to protect our local team. Monthly donations from Blooms the Chemist, Australia will provide additional PPE for three rural clinics – Simonga, Bunsanga and Mambova.
All our projects, including the women’s agricultural pruduction ones and the one for young people with disabilites, funded by Give a Hand, Canada, as well as community housing, and construction work will continue as normal as the rural areas where we work are not currently effected by the outbreak.
The Zambian school year ended at the beginning of December and I am delighted to report that a further sixteen pupils from The Butterfly Tree’s orphan sponsorship programme have completed school.
Since early 2006 the charity has sponsored thousands of orphans and vulnerable children, initially at Mukuni Primary school and now reaching out to pupils at N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View, Lumbo, Senkobo and Musokotwane schools. In addition we are sponsoring five pupils at Kazungula boarding school as well as college and university students.
SPONSORED PUPILS – MUKUNI SECONDARY SCHOOL
Not everyone succeeds and some do fall by the wayside, sadly leaving school prematurely due to pregnancies and social issues. We are stepping up our peer education programme in all schools to help educate these vulnerable children on HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and drug and alcohol abuse. This programme empowers young people and will enable them to make informed choices.
EMPOWERING YOUNG PEOPLE – KAUWE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Several school leavers who must wait until March for their examinations results are currently volunteering for The Butterfly Tree and being trained to become peer educators. Besides helping to tackle social problems it gives them an opportunity to gain confidence, and to give back to their community.
At the end of November five schools – River View, Singwamba, Katondo, Nguba, Jane Kasela, and football teams participated in CNN’s Call To Earth initiative. Sponsored by The Butterfly Tree each school was invited to take action to clean up and protect their environment. Some wonderful ideas were put forward and pupils went about clearing rubbish from their surrounding areas, and educating people about the issues of burning charcoal, depleting forests and plastic waste. Mukuni youth football teams also helped to clean up their village, but the initiative that CNN reposted on their social medial channel was two girls from River View who made shopping bags and pencil cases from recycled plastic. Here is the link to their project on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PB_Z4GtFwdo
BAGS FROM RECYCLED PLASTIC – RIVER VIEW GRADE 8 PUPIL
Thanks to two substantial donations from Nick Bousliman and another regular donor we can install at least ten boreholes and initiate more sustainable income-generating food projects. This month we have successfully drilled boreholes at Siambelele and Musokotwane villages, and at Bbombe Lyangoma school. The latter is in a remote area of Nyawa where the nearest water source is 10km, consequently the school currently relies on shallow wells.
NEW BOREHOLE FOR SIMAMBELELE WOMEN’S PROJECT
Now that Bbombe Lyangoma community school has water we can develop the school. Funding from a private donor is in place to build a 1×3 classroom block. The only facility at the school is a structure built by the community which is totally inadequate.
BBOMBWE COMMUNITY SCHOOL – NYAWA
The rainy season, though late and spasmodic, has started and this is the time when children need protection from malaria. We have received a substantial donation from The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust to purchase over 1,000 mosquito nets that will be distributed to pupils at Kauwe Primary and Secondary schools. The schools are located in a high malaria prevalence zone.
KAUWE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS TO RECEIVE MOSQUITO NETS
Earlier in the year two UK doctors who founded a charity called Make a Medic volunteered with The Butterfly Tree at N’gandu Junior Secondary School. In addition to helping with workshops they donated 240 textbooks to improve exam results, and four houses for orphans, as well as funding future HIV prevention workshops for continuity. The school has improved generally as a result of this donation.
N’GANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL – TEXTBOOK DONATION
Until crops have grown food is in short supply and there is much hunger in the villages. Leading up to Christmas we are appealing for donations to purchase bags of ground maize to distribute to the elderly, widows, and vulnerable people. The orphans on sponsorship will automatically be given a bag of maize. A 25kg bag of ground maize can feed a family of four for three weeks. The cost is £7 ($10). If you would like to make a donation please visit our DONATION page or send a request for our bank details to jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk
FOOD DONATIONS FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN
I would like to thank everyone, whether you are a donor, supporter, fundraiser, trustee or volunteer for your unwavering support to The Butterfly Tree. 2023 is proving to be one of our most successful years to date. Wishing you all a very happy and joyful Christmas, and peace and good health in the New Year.
I recently returned from three wonderful and rewarding weeks in Zambia with temperatures ranging from 38 to 41 degrees and the time simply flew by. The Butterfly Tree has so many new and exciting on gong projects that it was impossible to visit all of them. I did manage to drive to many of them some of which are in the remote areas of Nyawa.
These include the new health post at Mabwa which should be completed by the end of the year. The entire community was out to welcome us and were helping with unskilled labour. A grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission is funding this invaluable facility, which will include a clinic, two staff houses, biodigester, toilets and a borehole.
WELCOME FROM MABWA COMMUNITY
Mabwa Primary school received a donation of mosquito nets to protect children against malaria, and earlier this year a borehole. We also paid a visit to Kauwe Secondary School where we were told there is a high number of teenage pregnancies. Involving our peer educators and role models, who are former beneficiaries from our orphan sponsorship programme, pupils were given a talk on the dangers of HIVand AIDS, teenage pregnancies, and alcohol and drug abuse.
DONATION OF MOSQUITO NETS – MABWA PRIMARY SCHOOL
It was great to see a new 1×3 classroom block under construction at Musokotwane Secondary school. Three of our sponsored builders were on site, including Thabo who was awarded the best bricklayer while at college, in 2022. The Murphy Family Foundation is funding this project which will also include desks, computers, and electrification for the entire school. The same donors have also funded a 1×3 classroom block at River View Secondary school, shortly to be constructed.
1 X 3 CLASSROOM BLOCK – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
After visiting Musokotwane Secondary school we proceeded to distribute textbooks to at the Primary school and also Sinde Primary School. This was followed by a meeting with women in Musokotwane to initiate a new vegetable-growing project. Just before the start of the meeting a storm appeared from nowhere and for over an hour, we had to take shelter in a church. Such was the noise from the howling wind and rain bouncing off the iron sheet roof that it was impossible to have a conversation!
DONATION OF TEXTBOOKS – SINDE PRIMARY SCHOOL
On our return we passed by Muskotwane Primary school and was horrified to see the destruction caused by the storm. The roof of a 1×2 classroom block and the head teacher’s office, had completely blown off with the iron sheets landing over 100 metres from the site. A dormitory had also lost its roof. Miraculously, there was only one injury when a young boy was hit by a falling brick. Our aim is to raise funds to help rehabilitate the facility.
DAMAGED CLASSROOM BLOCK – MUSOKOTWANE PRIMARY SCHOOL
As always it was a pleasure to meet up with the orphans, most especially at River View Secondary school where the first ever prize giving ceremony took place. I was moved to tears when a young amputee, who is on our sponsorship programme, received three prizes. Another sponsored pupil was awarded the maths prize and one girl was appointed Deputy Head girl for 2024. I also met up with those that are on sponsorship at Mukuni, Kamwi, Ng’andu, Senkobo and Musokotwane schools.
SPONSORED ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE PUPILS – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL
Once again, Jonathan Sedo from Costa Rica, came to volunteer. He spent a month giving extensive training to former sponsored pupils who are now running the Mukuni Village Tours project. This also includes a visit to Victoria Falls, which has strong links to the Leya tribe in Mukuni Chiefdom. The aim is for the guides to take ownership and earn a sustainable income.
SPONSORED PUPILS WITH BRAVE, MUKUNI VILLAGE TOURS MANAGER
The new project to empower young people with physical and mental challenges and those living with HIV was initiated thanks to a generous grant from our Canadian partner, Give a Hand. Sixty young people from Mukuni, Ng’andu and Kamwi will form a cooperative, which will include chicken rearing, and vegetable and crop growing. A borehole has already been installed at Kamwi for the vegetable growing.
VEGETABLE GROWING TO EMPOWER YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Thanks to two generous donors funding is in place to install eight more boreholes for schools, communities, and women’s vegetable growing projects. Sites have been selected and it is hoped that these can all be installed before the imminent onset of the rainy season.
I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our existing and new donors. This year is proving to be one of the most productive and successful since the founding of The Butterfly Tree in 2006. A special thanks to our amazing team of trustees and volunteers in Zambia, without them none of the above could have been achieved!
In the lead up to Christmas we will be raising funds for bags of ground maize to distribute amongst widows, the elderly, and orphans. A bag of maize costs £7 and can feed a family of four for three weeks. If you care to make a donations please use this link or request the charity bank details: https://thebutterflytree.org.uk/get-involved/online-donations/
Since the 1st April, the start of The Butterfly Tree’s financial year I have been overwhelmed by the support we are receiving. Existing and new donors are helping us to reach out to more remote communities and to help girls and vulnerable young people.
MABWA – NYAWA CHIEFDOM
World Mental Health Day was on the 10th October. The world we live in today increases the risk of mental health issues which have a negative effect on our daily lives. Social media, 24-hour news, global warming, natural disasters, disease, and conflict to name just some the many problems people face globally.
We are delighted to receive a donation from our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, to initiate a project to empower young people with mental and physical disabilities and those who were born with HIV. Sixty young people from Mukuni, N’gandu and Kamwi villages will be given the opportunity to raise chickens, and to grow crops and vegetables to create a sustainable income-generating cooperative. This is a rare opportunity as there is very little on offer to help people with disabilities in Zambia.
GROWING CROPS FOR SUSTAINABLE INCOME
A new health post is currently being constructed thanks to a further grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission. The location at Mabwa, a remote area in Nyawa – the facility includes a clinic, two staff houses, a biodigester, toilets, a borehole and equipment. A shelter is to be constructed at Simonga health post donated by Blooms the Chemist, Australia who offer ongoing support for Simonga, Bunsanga and Mambova clinics.
SIMONGA RURAL HEALTH POST
A generous donation from The Murphy Family Foundation is being used to expand Musokotwane and River View Secondary Schools. Each school will have an additonal 1×3 classroom block and desks, with the former receiving computers and connection to power. A classroom block at Katubuya Community School will shortly be completed and funding is in place to build an entire new school.
MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
As always there is a great need to provide safe drinking water in remote schools and villages. A substantial donation from Nick Bousliman for water and food projects will help thousands of vulnerable people. Creating sustainable feeding programmes in schools and helping people to grow crops, other than maize, that are less dependent on rain is a priority is essential.
BOREHOLE DRILLING – NGANDU SCHOOL
Teenage pregnancies and early marriages prevent girls from completing their education. With the support of the Blackpool Cup and the Society of the Sacred Heart we are travelling to remote areas to conduct workshops on HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and drug and alcohol abuse. We invite pupils, teachers, traditional and civic leaders and medical staff.
GIRLS’ UNDER SEVENTEEN FOOTBALL
We are more forming girls’ football teams to give girls an activity and to empower them. To date there are 15 teams. This is what one deputy head teacher told us ‘Since the inception of girls soccer, we have noticed a trend for girls playing soccer avoid casual sex and a big reduction in teenage pregnancy and dropouts due to early marriage. Before the inception we lost 14 girls from grade 8 last year but we haven’t recorded any this year among players.’
Thank you to everyone for your overwhelming support.
On behalf of The Butterfly Tree I am delighted to present our Annual Report and Accounts for 2022-23. Please click on the link below to view or download the full report, the accounts, images and graphs.
In May 2022 I was able to return to Zambia for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our local team who I had not seen for over two years greeted me with open arms. It was wonderful to back to spend time with them and to visit the many projects The Butterfly Tree has initiated in the past couple of years. I also visited in March 2023 when I was invited to meet Chief Nyawa, who is the traditional leader of the biggest Chiefdom in the Kazungula District with over four hundred villages. He was overwhelmed by the number of projects we have implemented and most appreciative of the support the charity has shown to his people. He actually asked me why I do it! I do it out of compassion for orphans and children who are born into extreme poverty, to give them hope.
The Butterfly Tree won two more awards: ‘Best Education Charity of the Year’ – Scotland Prestige Awardsand ‘HIV Support Non-Profit Organisation of the Year’ – Central England Prestige Awards
We continue to received substantial donations to support our orphan sponsorship programme and education projects. In addition to pupils being sponsored at Mukuni, Kamwi, Ngandu, Ndele, River View, Lumbo, Senkobo and Kazungula Boarding School, we have added Musokotwane to the list. Orphans can be found in every village living with elderly grandparents who do not have a source of income. The programme has helped hundreds of children to complete high school and beyond. Six students who completed school after being on The Butterfly Tree’s orphan sponsorship programme are currently attending university reading the following courses: microbiology, engineering, teaching, journalism, and two are learning accountancy. A third student is studying to be an accountant at college and two are enrolled at a nursing college. In addition, eleven students are learning skills at colleges in Livingstone. These include forward and clearing, catering, building, carpentry, and plumbing.
Throughout the year schools received donations of textbooks and desks. Three special education classes at Mukuni, Katapazi and Simonga shared a donation of educational materials. Our trained peer educators conducted workshops to talk to school children of all ages about the dangers of HIV, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse.
After the completion of Katondo Health Post, which is now in full operation we received further grant aid to build a health post at Boombwe, a remote area in Musokotwane. The project included a clinic, two staff houses, toilets, a borehole, a biodigester, and medical equipment. Once it is fully operational people will no longer have to walk long distances to seek medical attention. Simonga, Mambova and Bunsanga health posts received monthly donations of medical supplies and 1,150 mosquito nets were distributed to help the global fight against malaria. These were given to teachers and school children in areas where malaria is most prevalent.
The builders that we sponsored are gaining more experience. They constructed a 1×2 classroom block at Mubuyu community school and two teacher’s houses at Musokotwane secondary school. They started another 1×2 classroom block at Malombe community school to replace the mud and pole construction, which was their main classroom. A further classroom block was built at Mukuni Primary School, and one other classroom and the special education class also at Mukuni underwent restoration work.
The most challenging of our projects is to provide safe drinking water. After receiving a substantial donation, we successfully drilled boreholes at Katubya, Malombe and N’gandu schools, the latter received a full water reticulation system to create a sustainable school garden as well as providing drinking water. A water system was also installed at Boombwe health post. Sadly, we could not find water at one school, after three attempts. This is costly and disappointing for the pupils and teachers, but when a drill is successful it is one of the most exhilarating sights as I have ever seen. The joy and jubilation for a community to have fresh water for the first time is so rewarding. In addition to improving health, it saves hours of time collecting water from polluted streams and rivers. More boreholes are to be drilled in the coming months.
During my visit to Zambia in May last year I was joined by a volunteer from Costa Rica. Jonathan, an eco-tourism consultant, first volunteered for the charity in 2013. This time he came to initiate the Mukuni Village Tours. Mukuni with its close proximity to the mighty Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination. Tour operators charge between $50 – $120 for just a two-hour visit. After selecting school leavers from our orphan sponsorship programme Jonathan spent a month training them to become guides to take visitors on a tour of Mukuni Village and also the Victoria Falls. The aim is for them to have a sustainable enterprise, which is being offered on Airbnb Experiences and Trip Advisor.
As tourism picks up after the pandemic more volunteers and visitors are expected. To help safeguard the children and communities where we work all volunteers must have a DBS certificate or the equivalent in their country. They are accompanied by one of The Butterfly Tree NGO team, a teacher or medical worker. Participating as a volunteer can be a life-changing experience – four of our UK team joined the charity after volunteering in Mukuni.
The women’s projects are progressing well. Honey production, mango produce, chicken rearing and vegetable growing are providing communities with an income. The one in Sekute is so successful that the women donate some of their profits to the elderly, disabled and widows. This coming year we aim to initiate a project for young people with physical and mental challenges and those living with HIV. Rarely do they get an opportunity to earn an income.
Eleven community houses were built for orphans, widows, and the elderly. The most vulnerable are helped and in the case of orphans the homes are shared with their siblings.
In addition to raising awareness of the dangers of HIV, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, alcohol and drug abuse through our peer education programme we encourage young people to get involved with sport. After the success of the boys’ football tournaments, we have encouraged girls to form teams – tournaments took place during the Christmas period at Singwamba and Mukuni. Since forming these teams all the girls in the Mukuni team passed grade 7 and 9 examinations.
A special thanks to my fellow trustees Ann, Jackie and Anthony, who provide support behind the scenes in accounting, safeguarding and fundraising. We were delighted to welcome Anthony O’Neill to the Board in October 2022, who has been a keen supporter of the charity for several years. Many thanks to volunteers David, Carolyn, Leah, Valerie and Steven for giving up their free time to help with IT, fundraising, youth projects, and child protection and safeguarding. Thanks also to Frank Maiola, our US representative. Much of our success is owed to our incredible team of Trustees in Zambia. They work tirelessly to initiate, manage and monitor all our projects. Mupotola Siloka (secretary/project management), Rev. Presley Mulenga (education), Martin Mushabati (community projects/sport) and Stain Musungaila (malaria prevention and community projects). Each of them has volunteered for the charity prior to and since the registration of the NGO in 2007. Also, thanks to our Zambian volunteers who manage a variety of programmes. Natasha Mufeya, (orphan sponsorship/peer education/girls’ empowerment), Mafian Sitali (orphan sponsorship) and Lloyd Kasala (community projects, Nyawa). All our members both in the UK and Zambia are volunteers and are committed to helping young people to change their lives for the better.
More schools are being developed or expanded, and orphans that have been supported by The Butterfly Tree from an early age have gained employment. Following guidelines from the United Nation Development Goals we are making positive and sustainable change in health and education.
EDUCATION – Two community schools, Malombe and Katubya in the Kazungula District, had only mud and pole constructions. Neither had access to safe water. Malombe now has a 1×2 classroom block and a borehole. The construction was built by two skilled builders who was sponsored by the charity. A borehole was recently installed at Katubya and construction of a 1×3 classroom block has commenced.
Two secondary schools, River View and Musokotwane, developed by the charity are to receive additional support. River View now has in excess of 1,700 pupils from early learning to grade 12. Thanks to a substantial donation from The Murphy Family Foundation we are about to construct two 1×3 classroom blocks for the secondary section of both schools.
SCIENCE LABORATORY – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Each school will also be given 75 desks. In addition Musokotwane’s donation will enable the school to have electricity throughout the facility, and computers for their IT section.
ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP – More young people under sponsorship have recently completed skill courses. The courses included hotel management, catering, forward and clearing, and building. One of the young men on the building course was awarded ‘student of the year.’ We are grateful to the Mukuni Village Trust (Australia), along with so many individual donors who continue to sponsor children and youths who have lost one or both parents.
SPONSORED CHILDREN – N’GANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL
During a recent recruitment by the Zambian army eight young people who were sponsored by The Butterfly Tree have been enrolled. This is quite rare for an orphan or vulnerable young person from a rural village to be selected and we congratulate them on their achievement.
The special education class at Mukuni had a treat when a donor offered to fund a party for them. A cake, sodas and biscuits were given out and the children danced to music. There are 27 children in the class, and each has been given a school jersey from another donor.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS – MUKUNI PRIMARY
HEALTH – The new health post site for Mabwa has been chosen by the Ministry of Health who will run the facility once completed. A borehole is being drilled on Wednesday, this will be followed by the construction of a clinic, two staff houses, toilets and Biodigester for waste disposal. The project is being funded by further grant aid from the Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey.
MALARIA – We are delighted to learn that our contribution to the fight against malaria in Zambia is producing significant results. Livingstone is the capitol of tourism. The City Council Chairman last week announced that our safe interventions have resulted in the area being virtually malaria-free. He added that no other organisation’s interventions have been as effective as that of The Butterfly Tree’s. Using larvicide, a safe product that prevents larva developing into mosquito, the mosquito population has reduced significantly in Livingstone and surrounding areas. This is good news for the local people and for tourism!
ZAMBEZI RIVER FLOWS OVER THE VICTORIA FALLS NEAR LIVINGSTONE
Our sincere thanks to all our donors and sponsors who continue to support these worthwhile projects, helping to improve basic essentials for the lives of orphans and vulnerable people in Zambia.
The Butterfly Tree continues to make considerable progress in providing improved water, health and education facilities in Zambia. It is hard to believe that in 2023 people are still walking 10 miles to fetch drinking water and as many as 50 miles to seek medical care.
MORE THAN 6 MILLION PEOPLE IN ZAMBIA DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER
HEALTH – The fully equipped health post at Boombwe, in Musokotwane Chiefdom is now complete. Due to the remoteness and poor access, the drilling companies would not venture to this area. To overcome the issue we repaired the borehole at Boombwe school, installed a solar-powered water reticulation system with a submersible pump. After linking it to the health post, both facilities now have access to clean water. Below is a testimonial from the Senior Headman:
‘On behalf of the community, we would like to thank The Butterfly Tree. For Boombwe this donation is like a dream as we have been without such a facility for many years and had to walk long distances to seek medical care, for some it was 60km. This resulted in relatives losing loved ones and women giving birth along the way before they could reach a clinic. As a community we are very happy for what The Butterfly Tree has donated. All the problems we had, have now been solved.’
TWO STAFF HOUSES – BOOMBWE RURAL HEALTH POST
Sadly, the mortality rate of mother and child is still alarmingly high in rural areas. The new clinic will include a maternity section for women to safely deliver their babies as opposed to home births. We are delighted to have been awarded further grant aid for 2023 from the Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey. This is to build a health facility at Mabwa in Nyawa Chiefdom. The development, like the one at Boombwe, will include a clinic, two staff houses, a biodigester for waste disposal, toilets, and a water system.
MALARIA – Mosquito nets will also be given to school children at Boombwe and neighbouring schools, to protect them against malaria. A recent donation from the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs will pay for five hundred mosquito nets.
MOSQUITO NETS PROVIDING PROTECTION AGAINST MALARIA
VOLUNTEERS – We are pleased to welcome international visitors back to see our projects in Zambia after their absence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Two UK doctors who raise money, through Make a Medic a charity they initiated to provide medical students with educational resources volunteered in N’gandu. They spent a week working with our peer educators on HIV prevention and teenage pregnancies at the school. Through their organisation they gave a generous donation to build four homes for orphans, for the workshops, and for Maths textbooks.
The following week a group of American University students spent time at Mukuni, teaching pupils at the primary school. They kindly donated educational supplies, and bags of ground maize for the elderly.
UK DOCTORS WORKING WITH OUR PEER EDUCATORS
EDUCATION – A new 1×2 classroom block is currently under construction at Malombe community school where we recently installed a borehole. Next month we will be adding a borehole and 1×3 classroom block for a school a community school at Katabuya. Pupils are being taught in mud and pole structures. Their drinking water comes from shallow wells as the nearest water source is 10km from the school.
DRINKING WATER SOURCE – KATABUYA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP – We are extending our orphan sponsorship programme to help more children, who have lost one or both parents or who are vulnerable. Managed by Natasha, a former sponsored orphan, children from the following schools are being supported: Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View, Lumbo, Senkobo and Musokotwane.
Six students have recently completed skilled-based courses, five students are enrolled at university and four are attending college. Their courses include pharmacy, accountancy, engineering, teaching, journalism and nursing.
SPONSORED ORPHANS – SENKOBO SCHOOL
The special education class at Mukuni had a rare treat last week thanks to a donor offering to fund a party. A cake, snacks and drinks were shared with everyone, the music was playing and all of the children enjoyed dancing. The Butterfly Tree built a classroom to accommodate children with special needs in 2008, and has continued to support this vital facility with help from St James’s Place Foundation. Prior to this most children remained at home.
SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASS – MUKUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL
Thank you to everyone who voted for the WAFA awards, the entire procedure was complicated and lengthy and many said they had difficulty voting – we apologise for any inconvenience. We did not win the food category. However, much to our surprise we have won an Aquisition International Non-Profit Award, which was chosen by a panel of experts instead of having to reply on a voting system. The Butterfly Tree voted – ‘Best Africa Focused Clean Water & Sanitation Provider 2023’ – UK
We are absolutely thrilled to receive this award and would like to thank all our donors who have supported our water and sanitation awards in Zambia since 2006. Not forgetting to thank supporters of our health, education and community projects, and most especially our orphan support programme. All of you have helped us to gain significant recognition for our work in Zambia, but more importantly our projects have improved the lives of thousands of orphans and vulnerable people.
