Category Archives: News

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NEW YEAR BRINGS HOPE FOR ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN

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As the New Year dawned many of us coping with the challenges of the pandemic continue to hope that life will soon get back to normal. We have all been affected and had to deal with it in different ways. Running The Butterfly Tree has helped to keep me focused and realise how fortunate we are in the UK to have the NHS, readily available vaccinations, and instant communication with our friends and families.

PUPILS AT NGANDU SCHOOL

The Butterfly Tree’s aim is, and always has been, to improve the lives of of orphans and vulnerable children in some the poorest communities on the planet. When COVID-19 reached Zambia health facilities were ill-equipped to cope with it. Most clinics and schools had no masks, soap, hand sanitiser or disinfectant. Thanks to the support of our generous donors we have assisted 30 clinics and 20 schools with a continual supply of PPE. To date masks remain mandatory indoors and at public gatherings and cases have reduced in the past few months.

PROVISION OF PPE IN SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CENTRES

The health post at Bunsanga is just one example of how having adequate facilities can help to say lives. People presenting malaria symptoms can get tested and treated quickly, women can give birth knowing that there is medical aid on hand and no longer need to walk long distances for post and antenatal clinics, or to get their children vaccinated. Blooms the Chemist, Australia, provide invaluable ongoing support for Bunsanga, Simonga and Mambova health posts.

MAMBOVA RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

Thanks to the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission and Development we have built health centres and posts at Sikuanzwe, Bunsanga and the latest one at Katondo, soon to be completed. In addition we have constructed an entire health centre at Mahalulu and a health post at Muchambila. At Mukuni and Simonga we added maternity wards and mother’s shelter. Singwamba, Musokotwane, Kasiya and Mambova were also given mother’s shelters, Manyemuyemu and Sikapa were added to the list in 2021. These shelters provide accommodation for women from outreach villages before the onset of labour, preventing women having to walk long distances when in labour.

HEALTH POST UNDER CONSTRUCTION – KATONDO

As always malaria prevention is one of our main priorities, mosquito nets are being given out to school children after a successful fundraising campaign leading up to Christmas. The rainy season is from November to April, and this is when malaria is most prevalent, so thank you to everyone for helping us to protect more children.

PUPILS AT SICHIFULO SCHOOL RECEIVING MOSQUITO NETS

This month sees the start of the new school year in Zambia. The date has been put back to the 24th January due to COVID-19, but unlike the previous two years the numbers of cases are not so high. Results have recently been announced for grades 7 and 9, while a few of the orphans on sponsorship have failed many have done well, most especially girls. The aim of our the new Girl’s Empowerment project, which was initiated last year, is to encourage teenage girls to avoid early pregnancies and to complete their education.

GIRL EMPOWERMENT – MUKUNI VILLAGE

More students are being enrolled at college and university this year. Courses include accountancy, journalism, nursing and catering. Other students that started their courses last year are studying pharmacy, nursing, engineering, accountancy, computing, forward and clearing, building, carpentry and welding. The Murphy Family Foundation, Their World and individual sponsors have given these youths a wonderful opportunity to improve their lives and that of their families.

CHRISTOPHER – SPONSORED TO STUDY ACCOUNTANCY AT UNIVERSITY

Recent developments in schools have included the completion of a science lab at Sichifulo and teacher’s houses at Muchambila and Muyunda. A classroom block is under construction at Chabalanda and a further one soon to be started in a new area. Once finished these facilities are handed over to the communities, and Ministry of Education who will provide qualified teachers.

NEW SCIENCE LABOROTARY – SICHILFULO SCHOOL

The mango project in Musokotwane and the chicken and vegetable project in Sekute are progressing well. Each project should provide a sustainable income for 200 women living in remote areas, thanks to our Canadian partner Give A Hand. The women receive training on how to develop these projects, and in business and project management.

SUSTAINABLE CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE PROJECT FOR SEKUTE WOMEN

Our aim for the coming months is to expand our malaria prevention programme, build additional community houses for orphans and widows, install more boreholes in schools and to seek funding for further development in education, health, and sustainable income-generating enterprises.

I would like to wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS FROM THE BUTTERFLY TREE

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With Christmas just around the corner and the end of 2021 fast approaching many of you will be reflecting on the challenges of the past year and feeling anxious about what the New Year will bring. COVID-19 and climate change dominate the news and effects everyone of us, most especially people living in poor countries such as Zambia.

Despite all the uncertainties I am delighted to inform you that this has been one of the best years in the history of The Butterly Tree. Thanks to the overwhelming support from our donors we have expanded our reach to more schools and communities in the Kazungula District, and many more orphans are being educated at school, university and college.

One young lady who has just completed a three year course in bio medicine sent us this message: ‘I am writing this message as I am thankful for the support that you have provided by sponsoring my education in 2019-2021 academic years at Kafue Institute where I was studying for a diploma in clinical medicine. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you, you have shown your sincere kindness by lending a hand in my education. Your sponsorship has helped me to realize that dreams do come true and that I can be what I want to be. My family is secure knowing that my education is steady and now, on behalf of my family and myself, I pour out my humble thanks.’

MWANDU FROM MUKUNI VILLAGE COMPLETES BIO MEDICINE COURSE

There is great excitement in Nyawa after two boreholes were installed At Nsizo school and for the Kampaka community. A further two are being installed this week with three more to follow in Musokotwane Cheifdom, thanks to a grant award from Fedex. Seeds for schools have been donated to twenty school to grow vegetables for their sustainable feeding programmes.

SUCCESSFUL DRILL AT KATONDO

The rural health post at Kantondo is making great progress with the clinic, two staff houses, toilets and biodigester soon to be completed. This was generously funded by Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission. The second of two mother’s shelter, funded by the Society of the Sacred Heart, has been completed by Siakacapa health post, which will provide women with safe accommodation prior to the onset of labour.

NEW MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIKACAPA

OLD MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIKACAPA

Eight more orphans are to receive houses after receiving a donation from Motive Real Estate, Texas. The company donates a house for every one they sell. Many orphans live in dilapidated dwellings which leak during the rainy season. 300 bags of maize are beimng given at Christmas to every orphan and vulnerable child on our orphan sponsorship programme.

The Butterfly Tree Girls’ Empowerment programme has recently been launched. One of our UK volunteers has written a booklet to educate girls about the dangers of early pregnancies, HIV and alcohol and drug abuse. Natasha and Malala completed a six week workshop in Mukuni witt the aim of expanding this to all schools throughout the District.

SPONSORED GIRLS AT MUKUNI PARTICIPATE IN WORKSHOPS

A new classroom block at Chablanda in Musokotwane is now under construction with another one scheduled for Nyawa in January. These will help more children to have access to higher grades. As we have heard from Mwandu education is vital to overcoming poverty.

The successful malaria prevention campaign has helped to protect many more children. We aim to support schools around the Ngwezi River where there is a high prevalence of malaria. If you would like to make a donation a mosquito net costs just £5 or $7. Or if you would prefer your donation to be used to purchase a bag of maize for £5 or $7, please add a comment when making a donation.

On behalf of the entire team I send our grateful thanks to all our donors, volunteers, fundraisers and supporters and wish you a very happy Christmas and good health in the New Year.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

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EXCITING UPDATES AND FUNDRAISING AT CHRISTMAS

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With just over one month to go, the Christmas bustle is underway. The Butterfly Tree has started a fundraising campain to provide mosquito nets and bags of maize for orphans and vulnerable children living in rural areas of Zambia.

‘Globally every two minutes a child dies from malaria – out of 400,000 deaths per year, 67% of these are children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa.’ 

The rainy season in Zambia has started, the time when children’s lives at risk if they contract malaria. Through interventions children can be protected and the most effective way is to provide a mosquito net. Due to limited supplies pregnant women and children under five are given priority, which means that school children are not covered. Our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ is proving to be highly effective with positive results being achieved.

DISTIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – MUYNUNDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL

At this time of year food is also in short supply. The dry season, which started in April lasts for 6 months, coupled with the impact of COVID-19 many families resort to just one meal a day. A bag of ground maize costs just £5 ($7) and can feed a family of four for three weeks.

BAGS OF GROUND MAIZE DONATED TO ORPHANS – KAMWI VILLAGE

We are delighted to have been awarded a grant from Fedex, South Africa to install 7 boreholes in rural schools and communities. This generous donation will transform the lives of thousands of women and children. No longer will they have to spend hours fetching water from rivers and streams, which are polluted, and one of the main causes of diarrhoeal diseases.

7 BOREHOLES FOR REMOTE SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES

The Katando Health Post development is progressing with the clinic and the two staff houses currently under construction, funded by the Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey. Blooms the Pharmacy, Australia, regular support for Simonga, Bunsanga and Mombova health posts is invaluable. We have also donated PPE to Mukuni Health Centre.

KATONDO HEALTH POST CLINIC

The third women’s project comprising of a workshop, chicken coop, equipment and seeds will help 200 women in the Sekute Chiefdom. A water solar-powered water reticulation system has been installed, and our youth builders are now on site. This project, funded by our Canadian partner Give a Hand.

SOLAR-POWERED WATER RETICULATION SYSTEM

We have extended our orphan sponsorship programme to Senkobo School in Musokotwane Chiefdom. Eight pupils, who had all dropped out of school after losing their parents have been reinstated. Such is the poverty that two girls had to borrow shoes from friends to return to school to sit their examinations. The sponsorship includes school and exam fees, uniforms, shoes, school bag and books for a cost of £110 per pupils, per annum.

ONE OF 8 PUPILS NOW ON SPONSORSHIP – SENKOBO SCHOOL

We are absolutely thrilled and humbled to have received an award for the Best Orphan Charity of the Year.

An exciting event took part in Mukuni Chiefdom last month after we sponsored a football tournment to create awareness of HIV. The event which was the first ever tournamant in this remote area of the Chiefdom, was held in Siamasimbi. Eight teams took part with Mukuni united being declared the winners. Pepe’s Zambia-Football Foundation kindly donated the kits for each team.

MUKUNI UNITED FOOTBALL TEAM, INCLUDING SPONSORED ORPHANS

The Butterfly Tree malaria prevention campaign has got off to a great start after two successful presentations to Inner Wheel Club Districts 12 and 20. 100% of all funds raised will be used to purchase mosquito nets for school children. If you would like to make a donation so that we can reach out to as many schools as possible please click on this link, The cost for a mosquito net is £5, there has been a recent increase due to the strengthening of the Zambian currency and inflation.

Or if you would prefer your donation to be used to purchase a bag of maize for £5, please add a comment when making a donation.

If you own a company perhaps you would consider making a charity donation instead of sending Christmas cards, which often end up in the bin and more trucks are needed to deliver them!
This comment from Business Waste is worth reading: “People seem to think that sending Christmas cards doesn’t do much harm to the environment because of the perception that all cardboard is easily recycled. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. People chuck their cards into the recycling bin, which causes havoc at recycling centres causing whole loads of paper to be dumped because it’s contaminated with glitter.” In addition to this more trucks are needed to deliver cards causing a further impact on the environment.

Many thanks to everyone who has already supported this campaign and to all the generous donors who have put their trust in The Butterfly Tree.

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CHANGING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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The Butterfly Tree continues to spread its wings thanks to the tremendous support we receive from regular and new donors. Further schools are being developed, an entire health post is under construction, a new women’s project is underway, and more orphans and vulnerable children are being sponsored.

KAMWI TWINS SPONSORED SINCE BIRTH AFTER LOSING THEIR MOTHER IN CHILDBIRTH

Five students started university in September, including Charity Sikota, thanks to a donation from The Murphy Family Foundation. Charity had never left the Kazungula District, but having an ambition to improve her life she accepted the sponsorship to become a teacher in business studies. In her own words…

“My name is Charity Sikota born in a family of three sisters and one brother. I am the last born in my family. I lost my parents at an early stage and I started staying with my grandmother. Growing up with my grandmother was rough but we were managing to get by. Unfortunately, my grandmother also passed on and I started staying with my aunt. I wrote my grade nine but my aunt failed to pay school fees for me. I had to stop school and stayed in the village for 3 years. The Butterfly Tree started sponsoring me till I completed my grade 12, I am very grateful for the opportunity. I was so excited when I was told that I would be sponsored further through university. Even though I was so scared to travel alone to a place so far away, I reached my destination safely. I have even started taking my classes and am very excited to be in this place. Words may never describe the full content of how grateful I am. ”

CHARITY – COMPLETED GRADE 12 AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

This donation has also given six youths an opportunity to enrol in a variety of skilled-based courses, including building, welding, catering, accountancy, and forward and clearing. Theirworld, who offer sponsorship for girls has given us a further grant for five students to attend college. The five girls that the organisation sponsored last year have done exceedingly well, all gaining diplomas with three distinctions and two merits. More students will commence courses at both university and college in January.

HENRY, FROM MUKUNI VILLAGE, NOW STUDYING PHARMACY AT UNIVERSITY

The Mukuni Village Trust, South Australia continues to sponsor 40 orphans, through individual donors a further 16 are being sponsored, and a new school in Musokotwane is to added to the sponsorship programme. To improve learning in these rural schools we have donated vast amounts of text books, especially in Maths and Science, as these are subjects that pupils struggle with. This is mainly due to having to share one textbook between 20 or more pupils. We have seen improved examination results in schools that have been helped.

Kamwi Junior School now has a new classroom block, which will enable the facility to advance to grades 8 and 9, reducing the distance pupils must walk. A generous donation left in the will of a teacher, who volunteered in Zambia, is being used complete a classoom and science lab for Sichifulo Junior Secondary School in Nyawa. Funds for classroom blocks in two additional schools are also in place.

NEW CLASSROOM BOCK, CONSTRUCTED BY OUR TRAINED YOUTHS – KAMWI SCHOOL

Construction is underway for a Health Post at Katondo, after receiving a generous grant from Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey. The borehole has been installed and a clinic, two staff houses and a biodigester will complete the project. Two mother’s shelter have been built at Manyemuyemu and Sikachapa, offering women a safe place to stay prior to the onset of labour, after receiving a donation from the Sacred Heart Foundation. Blooms the Pharmacy donated further funds to purchase medical supplies for Bunsanga, Simonga and Mambova clinics.

BOREHOLE AND HANDPUMP FOR KATONDO RURAL HEALTH POST

In addition to the Beekeeping and Mangoes of Hope women’s project, Give a Hand, our Canadian partner, has given a further donation to develop a sustainable income-generating enterprise for 200 women in Sekute. These food security projects help to empower women, giving them an opportunity to support their children, while providing sufficient food to alleviate hunger. One of our UK volunteers has written a wonderful booklet on ‘Empowering Girls’. The aim is to form Girl’s Clubs in school to help reduce teenage pregnancies and early marriages. This pioneer project is underway in Mukuni with one of our Zambian volunteers and a teacher conducting the workshops.

One of the most vital projects we support is that of malaria prevention. After months of hot dry weather Zambia’s rainy season is about to start, which is welcome for planting crops and filling up streams and rivers. However, it is also the start of the malaria season when children are at risk of contracting this potentially fatal disease. A new vaccination has recently been approved by the World Health Organisation, but no doubt this will take years to deliver it to regions as remote as the ones we work in. The government’s priority is to provide mosquito nets for pregnant women and under fives, which means that school children are left out. Our successful ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools‘ project is to be highly successful. Each pupil and teacher is given a mosquito net and monitoring takes place.

PUPIL  RECEIVE MOSQUITO NETS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION – MUYUNDA SCHOOL

We are appealing for donations for mosquito nets, which cost just £4 or $6. Our target is to raise enough funds to provide mosquito nets for every school, in the Kazungula District, where there is a high prevalence of malaria. If you would like to make a donation please clink on this link.

 

 

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THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020 – 2021

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I am delighted to present to you The Butterfly Tree’s Annual Report and Accounts, for our financial year ending on the 31st March 2021. The full version of the report and accounts, including wonderful pictures of our beneficiaries, can be viewed by clicking on this link: Annual Report 2020-21

During the entire year only 3.66% of total expenditure was spent on expenses, 96.34% went into our charitable projects.

Chairman’s Report 

In January 2006 I visited Zambia and Mukuni Village for the very first time, little did I know that 15 years later the charity I founded would still be flourishing. Despite all the challenges of the past year The Butterfly Tree has managed to sustain our existing projects while sourcing new ones. Thanks to the incredible support from our loyal donors, as well as new ones, we continue to implement a diverse section of projects relating to water, food, health and education.

JANE IN THE REMOTE AREA OF DUNDUMWEZI

Though I have not been able to travel to Zambia since February 2020 I am in daily communication with our local team, who have been outstanding. Mindful of the risks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they continued to work tirelessly throughout the year to help those most in need. In March 2020 communities in the Southern Province were still suffering from the effects of a severe drought then COVID-19 emerged. Many of the villages, especially Mukuni, rely heavily on tourism due to their close proximity to the Victoria Falls, A World Heritage site. No one received any income that year, and in a country with such a poor economy, there was no handouts.

NGANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

To support people through this dire situation The Butterfly Tree regularly donated bags of ground maize to orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly, and those that had no means to support themselves. In addition, we offered funding for farming projects. We also provided vast amounts of PPE to rural health centres, schools once they reopened, and the Kazungula Border. Masks were made by local youths and given to the schools. The spread of the virus in 2020 was somewhat contained, but sadly the South African variant took its toll at the beginning of 2021, during this period the Ministry of Health commenced their vaccination programme.

PPE DONATIONS WERE GIVEN TO CLINICS AND SCHOOLS

Though the schools were closed for a three month period the government extended term times by shortening the holidays. During the year a major development took place at  Musokotwane Secondary School after receiving a substantial donation. This included a 1×3 classroom block, science lab, two boarding houses, toilets, and a solar-powered water reticulation system to support a sustainable food production unit. This was one of six that were installed and will be invaluable during the dry season and periods of drought.

SOLAR-POWERED WATER RETICULATION SYSTEM – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Vasts amounts of textbooks were donated to schools, which has helped to improve examination results with several of our sponsored orphans gaining certificates after completing grade 12. Ten students were sponsored on degree and diploma courses, with one young man completing a three year course in bio-medics. Orphans were sponsored at Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View, Siavonga, and Kazungula Boarding School. More school leavers are being offered further education opportunities for both academic and skill based courses in September.

VAST AMOUNTS OF TEXTBOOKS GIVEN TO RURAL SCHOOLS

Fundraising during lockdown was difficult and some organisations providing cut their international grants. In April 2020 The Butterfly Tree took part in the 2.6 Challenge, a fundraising event to replace the London Marathon. Despite the short notice our Trustees, volunteers and their families, as well as some of our donors took part and raised a substantial amount of funds for bags of maize and mosquito nets. Later that year The Choirs of Pembrooke College, Cambridge University, held a Bach-a-Thon to raise money for food shortages in Mukuni Village.

DISTRIBUTIONS OF GROUND MAIZE TOOK PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

In addition to installing boreholes in five schools and one for a farming project in Mukuni, solar-powered water reticulation systems were installed at Musokotwane, River View, Katapazi, Singwamba, Matengu and Chaba schools, and Bunsanga Health Post. Seeds were given to schools to grow maize, sorghum and vegetables. Surplus produce was sold to the community, profits are then used to support orphans and to buy school supplies.

DRILLING FOR WATER – CHIKWAMA

Bunsanga Health Post is now in full use and proving to be invaluable for maternity care and COVID-19. We provided PPE to thirty rural health centres as well as medical supplies for Mukuni, Simonga, Mambova and Bunsanga clinics. Support was given to children in need of medical attention and the a project has been initiated to help period poverty with the use of sanitary pads, which are being made by youths in Mukuni.

DONATED ITEMS – SIMONGA MATERNITY WARD

Our peer education programme in HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse, is having an impact. Football and netball teams have been formed in many rural villages to help tackle the above challenges, engaging youths in sport is one of the most successful ways to keep them occupied. We have sponsored football and netball competitions, and this coming year we aim to expand this programme after receiving a substantial donation of football strips and equipment.

SUBSTANTIAL DONATION OF FOOTBALL STRIPS DISTRIBUTED IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

At the forefront of our contribution to the health sector is malaria prevention. COVID-19 took precedence over malaria and other major healthissues, not because the interventions were unavailable but due to the delay in obtaining supplies, and distribution by the Ministry of Health. The Butterfly Tree provided safe insecticidal coating to paint 650 dwellings in Moomba Chiefdom and disbursed larvicide in pools and streams. To provide universal coverage mosquito nets were donated to the schools in this Chiefdom. In addition, Singwamba and Chuunga schools also were added to our ‘mosquito nets for schools’ programme, as earlier this year there was high prevalence of malaria, in Nyawa Chiefdom.

MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS – MALIMBA JUNIOR SECONDARY

Community projects continue to be well supported. In addition to the beekeeping projects for 200 women in Muyunda a new project called ‘Mangoes of Hope’ has been initiated for 200 women in Musokotwane. These will provide sustainable income-generating enterprises for women. A further 12 community houses have been built for orphans and the elderly.

BEEKEEPING PROJECT FOR 200 WOMEN – MUYUNDA

Without the support of our wonderful team of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, none of this could have been achieved. My sincere thanks to fellow Trustees Ann Sutton (Treasurer), Miranda de Freston and Jackie Brown. Miranda has since resigned as a Trustee to concentrate on a local charity in her town. Miranda has been a valuable member of the team for several years and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours. David, Carolyn, Valerie and Leah, provide vital support in administration, fundraising and safeguarding and we are delighted to welcome Meg Over to our team, who volunteered for us in Zambia in 2018. All offer an invaluable contribution to our work. Our overseas volunteers provide furthersupport – Frank Maiolo (US), Marilee Gibson and Katie Kung (Canada).

The Zambian team, comprising of the four Trustees who have been with us since 2006 – Mupotola Siloka (Secretary and project management), Presley Mulenga (education), Martin Mushabati (ground operations), Stain Musungaila (malaria and community projects). Volunteers – Sibeso Maseka (Environmental Technician), Natasha Mufuya and Mafian Sitali (orphan sponsorship and community housing), Lloyd Kasela and Harold Chilikwazi (community projects). Their vital input, in implementing, monitoring and managing the projects on the ground, during a global pandemic, has been remarkable. I cannot be praise them enough for keeping everything moving during these most difficult of circumstances.

Though COVID-19 is still effecting all of us The Butterfly Tree has some exciting projects in place for 2021-22. On behalf of The Butterfly Tree I wish to thank all our donors that have supported us during this challenging year. It is impossible to name everyone, but every donation helps us to sustain our vital programmes in Zambia, to initiate new projects in remote areas, and to reach out to orphans and vulnerable children living in extreme poverty. Opposite are the names of our major donors who have contributed so much to the success of The Butterfly Tree. Our sincere thanks for your generosity and for putting your trust in our grassroots charity. As always we are grateful to Grenfell James, Stratford-upon-Avon for freely verifying the charity accounts. Despite all the challenges we were able to continue running the charity effectively,thanks to Zoom presentations and meetings, virtual fundraisers, and our amazing team of Trustees and volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, and most especially our generous donors.

  • ‘I cannot understate how impressed I am by all the wonderful work you’re doing at the Butterfly Tree. It’s just fantastic!!!! So positive in every way.’ –
    Angela Antonas
  • ‘Life is all about fate and opportunities and it was very much Zambia’s good fortune that you made that trip. You’ve changed the lives of thousands which is something few people can say. I remember seeing you in the foyer of the Zambezi Sun and then visiting the village the following day and then realizing that the sign on the building for Butterfly Tree was you. My favorite charity by miles.’ – John McGhee.
  • ‘I have seen the impact that you have had on the local community in the Livingstone area. You have made a huge positive impact on the life of so many. Respect! ‘ -Thore Larsgard

Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder

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NEW ERA FOR ZAMBIA AND EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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Today Zambia announced a new President-Elect, Hakainde Hichilema. Born in a village in the Southern Province the President-Elect managed to get a scholarship to the University of Zambia, gaining a degree in Economics and Business Administration, followed by an MBA degree from the University of Birmingham.

The Butterfly Tree is a non-political organisation but works closely with the Ministries of Health and Education in Zambia, who value our contribution in helping to improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable people in the Kazungula District. Since 2006 we have installed numerous boreholes, constructed schools, health post, community houses as well as initiating projects for women and youths, and provided sponsorship for hundreds of orphans and children living in extreme poverty. Some of the orphans we have sponsored have become teachers, agriculturalists, journalists, medical researchers, policemen, and one boy qualified as a pilot.

RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL NOW HAS OVER 1,600 PUPILS

I am delighted to say that, despite August usually being a quiet month because of the summer holidays, we are receiving a continual stream of donations. Zambian schools have been closed due to COVID-19, however the August holiday has been cut short, therefore pupils in examination grades returned to lessons on the 6th and other grades will resume this week. The Butterfly Tree has again donated PPE to schools and clinics to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

PPE DONATION TO HEALTH POSTS AND SCHOOLS

Thanks to a private donation, we have funding in place to build another classroom. We have selected Chabalanda, a remote school in the Musokotwane Chiefdom with 343 pupils. Once completed the school will be upgraded to a junior secondary school and children will no longer have to walk to Sinde, a distance of 7 kms. Construction on the classroom block at Kamwi is making great progress and should finished next month, after which the school will be upgraded.

KAMWI CLASSROOM BLOCK BEING CONSTRUCTED BY TRAINED YOUTHS

Applications are currently being made for school leavers to attend further education. Five young people from Mukuni and River View will attend university thanks to a generous donation from The Murphy Family Foundation, reading the following subjects: pharmacy, accountancy, engineering, nursing, and teaching in business studies. In addition, at least ten youths will participate in skilled based college courses, most of these courses will commence in September and will include computing, welding, carpentry, building, and hotel management and catering. A further five girls have also been selected as beneficiaries of a grant award from Theirworld.

BENEFICIARIES OF THEIRWORLD’S 2020 GRANT AWARD

Once again Motive Real Estate, Texas, has donated to The Butterfly Tree’s community housing project. For every house the company sells, a donation is given to the charity. The donation will enable us to build 20 houses for those most in need. We continue to receive support for our malaria prevention programme most recently from Nailsea and Backwell Rotary Club to purchase mosquito nets for schools. The accumulation of funds donated by the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs has been used to purchase insecticidal coating for Moomba Chiefdom, where there is a high prevalence of malaria. These generous donations will help to prevent children from contracting this life-threatening disease.

As always we are extremely grateful for your support.

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SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND SKILLS FOR VULNERABLE YOUTHS

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Today marks the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, paying tribute to the resilience and creativity of youth through the coronavirus crisis. According to the UN: ‘young people aged 15-24 have been even more severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis than adults. UNESCO estimates that schools were either fully or partially closed for more than 30 weeks between March 2020 and May 2021 in half the countries of the world. In late June, 19 countries still had full school closures, affecting nearly 157 million learners. And 768 million more learners were affected by partial school closures.’

1,700 PUPILS AT RIVER VIEW WAITING FOR SCHOOLS TO REOPEN

After a recent third wave thankfully Zambia’s COVID-19 cases are decreasing but the economy has suffered badly. Schools and colleges have been closed for the past month though examination grades will shortly reopen, as the other grades are currently being reviewed. As always we are in daily communication with our Zambian team who have been able to continue implementing our projects, mindful not to take any risks.

N’GANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TO SIT EXAMINATIONS

Thanks to The Murphy Family Foundation, Theirworld, and private donors more youths are to be offered colleges and university places. The majority of courses will be skilled based, which will include computing, hotel management, carpentry and welding. Youths that we have previously supported obtained employment and some are now building schools and clinics and earning a regular income.

YOUTHS SPONSORED BY THE BUTTERFLY TREE

On the health front I am delighted to announce that once again we have received a substantial grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission. The project includes a clinic, two staff houses, borehole, a biodigester for waste, equipment and mosquito nets. Katondo and remote communities in this area Nyawa Chiefdom will be the beneficiaries, once complete the Ministry of Health will provide trained medical staff. This facility will help to prevent severe sickness and loss of life, as patients will be treated at an early stage to avoid complications, especially in cases of malaria. In addition maternity care will help to reduce mother and infant mortality and more number children will be vaccinated against preventable diseases.

A NEW HEALTH POST TO COMMENCE AT KATONDO

We continue to reach to more schools in rural areas in need of expanding thanks to generous donations recently received from Kampango, and Common Grounds Charity Cafe, run by volunteers in Kinross, who donate profits to projects such as The Butterfly Tree. Sadly, one of our regular donors who had volunteered as a teacher in Zambia several years ago, passed away. Much to our surprise we received a substantial donation from his estate, which will be used to expand Sichifulo School. With over 900 pupils, some grades have 120 pupils and insufficient teaching space, consequently the school is in desperate need of extra classrooms. A new classroom block will be built in memory of this thoughtful teacher.

SCHOOLS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN RURAL AREAS

According to the United Nation’s International Labour Organisation, globally, youth employment fell 8.7 per cent in 2020, compared with 3.7 per cent for adults. Our aim is to encourage the orphans and vulnerable children we have supported to continue their education after completing high school. In addition to those currently attending colleges and university, at least 20 more youths will be able to enrol in further education to give them a better chance of employment and sustainability.

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WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT IN KAZUNGULA

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The past year has been challenging for everyone not least for the charity sector. Though our funding was down on previous years I am delighted to say that we have made a great start to the new financial year. Since the first of April we have received a substantial boost for our health, education, and community projects.

BUNSANGA JUNIOR SCHOOL RECEIVE TEXTBOOKS

The support we are getting from both existing donors and new ones is quite remarkable. As always our aim is to better the lives and opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia. Thanks to a substantial donation from The Murphy Family Foundation, further education is to be offered to many more pupils. Those that have been on The Butterfly Tree’s sponsorship programme and completed school in 2020, are being offered an opportunity to go to university or college to gain an academic degree, or a skilled-based diploma. In addition, The Foundation has donated some of the funding for the purchase much needed textbooks.

TEXTBOOKS DONATED TO SINGWAMBA JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

This year we are supporting 9 students at university and college, studying the following topics: teaching, biomedicine, nursing, forward and clearing, and hotel management. Musenga, who was head boy at River View School, has just commenced a three-year nursing course. Owen from Mukuni, was recently awarded a good degree in biomedicine. We are also sponsoring 227 pupils at Mukuni, Ngandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View and Kazungula Boarding School. So many of you have kindly supported orphans since 2006, for which we are grateful.

MUSENGA (LEFT) WAS HEAD BOY AT RIVER VIEW

Kamwi Junior School is under a development after receiving two private donations. Currently the school goes up to grade 7, after which pupils must walk a distance of 9 km, each way, to join grades 8 to 12 at Mukuni Secondary School. This will make a huge difference, especially for girls, who are vulnerable when walking alone. Expansion is also taking place at Muchambila and Muyunda Primary Schools, after receiving funds from a private donor who previously funded the school’s two classroom blocks.

KAMWI JUNIOR SCHOOL

On the health front, funding received for our malaria prevention programmes, in Zambia, has been significant. The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs have given us overwhelming support with so many of their individual Clubs and Districts donating to this vital cause. Fundraising has not been easy during the coronavirus pandemic, but what they have achieved is commendable. Stratford-upon-Avon Rotary Club recently gave the charity a donation for 300 mosquito nets to help eliminate malaria.

MOSQUITO NETS FOR 609 PUPILS AND TEACHERS – SINGWAMBA SCHOOL

One fundraiser tripled her target to raise money for mosquito nets. The founder of 52 Stitched Stories came up with a wonderful initiative, selecting butterflies as the theme, to raise money for mosquito nets. After gaining a global audience during 2020’s lockdown Fiona, the Founder, recently held a virtual Stitching Festival. Her committment  resulted in raising enough money to purchase 500 mosquito nets.

‘MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS’ HELPING TO ELIMINATE MALARIA

After receiving further support from the Sacred Heart Foundation, London, two mother’s shelters are being built at Siakachapa and Manyemuyemu health centres. These are a great benefit for rural women enabling them to stay close to the clinic prior to the onset of labour. Additional support from this Foundation is funding HIV prevention peer education workshops, which are vital in preventing new case of HIV, teenage pregnancies and alcohol abuse. The Butterfly Tree has added mother’s shelters to the following health centres: Mukuni, Musokotwane, Kasiya, Mahalulu, Mambova, Sikaunzwe and Singwamba.

MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIKAUNZWE RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

After a reduction in COVID-19 Zambia are experiencing an increase in cases this month. We have supplied 13 schools and 10 rural health posts with PPE thanks to a generous donations from Blooms the Chemist, Australia. We continue to be mindful of our local Zambian team that they are taking care to prevent contracting coronavirus, while waiting to receive the vaccination. Currently, it is being rolled out to health workers.

PPE DONATION – BUNSANGA HEALTH POST

Last but by no means least I am delighted to be initiating a further project for 200 women funded by Give a Hand, our Canadian partner. The organisation has previously funded a beekeeping project for 200 women in Muyunda and a mango project, entitled ‘Mangoes of Hope’ for 200 women in Muyunda. Now women in Sekute Chiefdom will be given a chance to have a food producton project, rearing chickens and growing vegetables. These community projects are an invaluable way of providing a sustainable income-generating enterprises for vulnerable women. Besides empowering them it gives them an opportunity to better their lives and to educate their children.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION PROJECT FOR 200 SEKUTE WOMEN

We are delighted to be able to develop more schools and health centres in the Kazungula District and would like thank everyone who has supported The Butterfly Tree during these difficult times.

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WORLD MALARIA DAY – 2021

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The theme for World Malaria Day 2021 ‘Reaching the zero malaria target‘

Key facts from the World Health Organisation

  • Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
  • In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.
  • The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409 000 in 2019.
  • Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.
  • The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2019, the region was home to 94% of malaria cases and deaths.

The Butterfly Tree is committed to helping the global fight against malaria and reducing the number of malaria cases in Zambia. Working with the Ministry of Health we are targeting areas that have a high prevalence of malaria.

COVID-19 has taken precedence other major diseases like malaria, but they must not be neglected. Unlike COVID-19 children are more susceptible to die from malaria than adults. Our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ project is having an impact, whereby every child and their teachers are given a mosquito nets and monitoring and evaluation takes place. We have proved that this method is highly effective. In the past twelve months the following schools received 2,000 mosquito nets – Bunsanga, Malimba, Kamwi and Ndele and most recently, thanks to a substantial donation from Nick Bousliman, Singwamba and Chuunga.

As a result of the tremendous support we are receiving from the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain, this week a distribution of insecticidal coating and larviciding took place in remote areas of Moomba Chiefdom. Sibeso Maseka, one of our Zambian volunteers, who is an Environmental Health Technician, supervised a team who travelled some 300 km to provide protection in 650 dwellings. When they arrived, they found many people suffering from malaria, with 20 new cases being recorded per day.

Each home was painted with a safe insecticidal coating which is harmless to humans and animals. The mosquito, once it ingests the insecticide, will quickly fly off and die. The paint is effective immediately it dries and lasts for over 12 months. Normal practises are to use a harmful indoor residual spraying which is effective for only 3 months.

In partnership with the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs we have been working with Medical Aid Films who have produced a wonderful animated film on ‘How to Prevent Malaria‘. The Butterfly Tree had the script translated into Tokaleya, the local language used in the area of our work, for the film company and then we handed it over to the Kazungula Ministry of Health. This is now being used in clinics, throughout the District, as one of the main training resources.

The Butterfly Tree has been supporting malaria prevention since 2006 and made a significant impact in helping towards the WHO’s ‘zero malaria target’ in Zambia.

A mosquito net costs just £6 or $9 and could save a child’s life. If you would like to make a donation please click on this link.

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ADVANCING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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The new school year started on the 2nd of February and thanks to donations from our supporters at least 30 schools are to receive PPE to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the classroom. The new variant of COVID-19 from South Africa has caused an increase in new cases at the beginning of the year but this appears to be stabilizing and numbers are on the decline. However, protection is paramount for pupils and teachers.

We have some exciting developments taking place all over the Kazungula District. An extra classroom block, science lab, boarding houses, toilets, and a food production unit at Musokotwane Secondary School will provide advanced and extra facilities to cater for a greater number of pupils. The Murphy Family Foundation have generously funded this as well as a recent donation for Mathematics textbooks and PPE.

MUSOKOTWANE ADVANCED SECONDARY SCHOOL NEARING COMPLETION

Examination results are currently being given out and one of the hardest subjects to pass is Mathematics. After doing some research I learnt that the main reason for poor results is lack of textbooks. In most cases pupils must learn from the blackboard and only have notes for revision and homework. Therefore, we are currently raising funds to provide Maths books in rural schools, the donations given to each schools will be monitored and evaluated at the end of the year.

TEXTBOOK DONATION FOR RIVER VIEW SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS

The new school year commenced a month later than usual due to the pandemic. Once again, we are sponsoring over 200 orphans and vulnerable children. Thank you to everyone who supports this programme, most especially the Mukuni Village Fund, Australia, who sponsor 40 pupils. We are also funding six students to study at college and two at university.

AUSTINE AND JOHAN STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY IN LUSAKA

A new teacher’s house for Muyunda, a remote community in Nyawa will soon be completed to add to the classroom block we opened in 2019, and a classroom block at Nguba has now been finished. We are still locating schools in remote areas where the only building is a mud and pole structure, built by the locals and run by untrained community teachers. Due to the weak kwacha, we are able to build facilities much cheaper than in the past.

TEACHER’S HOUSSE – MUYUNDA SOON TO BE COMPLETED

To create sustainability, we help communities to help themselves, thanks to our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, we have two substantial projects being created for women. In Muyunda the beekeeping project for 200 women is doing well. Following on from the workshop and toilets 200 hives were made, a borehole and ponds were installed and a plantation of moringa trees has been added for protection, flowers for the bees and nutrition for the community. The aim is to make and sell honey, soap, candles and crayons.

BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT FOR MUYUNDA

In another area, a project called ‘Mangoes of Hope’ in Musokotwane in Chiefdom, also funded by Give a Hand is underway. Our trained youth builders are currently constructing a workshop, drying area and toilets. Once complete 200 women will be able to produce dried mangoes, jams, chutneys, and tea, and make colourful bags and basket ware for packaging.

WORKSHOP UNDER CONSTRUCTION – MUSOKOTWANE

After 35 years teaching in rural areas Presley Mulenga has retired. I met Presley in 2006 when I first visited Mukuni Junior School where he was Head Teacher for thirteen years, after which he was transferred to River View in 2014. I have worked closely with him for 15 years, his selfless dedication to education and commitment in helping orphans and vulnerable children has impressed me most of all. Having Presley on our team is invaluable. He gave me an insight into the education system in Zambia, helped me to identify areas lacking in schools, and to initiate the orphan sponsorship programme. We wish his all the very best in his retirement and delighted that he will remain as a Trustee for The Butterfly Tree NGO in Zambia.

PRESLEY MULENGA – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

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