LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM ZAMBIA

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I returned to the UK this week after spending the past month in Zambia helping to distribute food, hosting donors, visiting current projects, and sourcing new ones. Never before have we been so busy as this year, nor had to deal with emergency relief aid as a result of the severe drought.

As I approach Livingstone, the bustling tourist capital of Zambia, the only obvious sign from the effects of the drought is the one set of traffic lights not in operation due to load-shedding. This is because the Karibe Dam is so low that the government is restricting the use of power. Driving towards the Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River, though lower than usual, still has an abundance of water. Driving to the villages paints a very different story.

THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER

Apart from a couple of projects on the outskirts of town, The Butterfly Tree’s work focuses on rural communities, some are very remote, accessible only by 4×4, and in some areas the tracks become inaccessible during the rainy season. Out of all our projects clean water is obviously the most essential. With sufficient funds to install nine boreholes this year I was on a mission to supply water to those most in need. Such is the demand for boreholes this season that we incurred a great deal of challenges working with drilling companies.

NGWEZI RIVER, NYAWA CHIEFDOM

Accompanied by donors ‘Belgian Lawyers for Africa‘, who donated three boreholes, I drove to Dundumwezi, a remote community 230km from our base and 80km from the town of Kaloma. On entering the village we were welcomed by the community who were so excited to see rare visitors and, most especially, the drilling rig. Hour after hour we waited for that magical moment when mud, then water shoots out of the ground.

By 6pm the look of despondency on the people’s faces was apparent. After drilling 60 metres, no water was to be found, after a further 20 metres, still no signs of water. By 7pm it was pitch dark, and we needed to get back to base. We arrived in Livingstone at 11.15pm, totally exhausted! Not to be defeated a further journey was made two days later when a second siting was drilled as well as a third one at Cilebe School. Heartbreakingly, the two day’s efforts resulted in all three drills being unsuccessful. With rivers and streams totally dry, these people must continue walking 10km to the borehole, which we installed last year, at Zalu School.

After the disappointment in Nyawa Chiefdom we headed to Senkobo Village in Mukuni Chiefdom. Water was easily found much to the delight of the Belgian Lawyers, who also donated food for communities in need of maize. In addition, they donated seeds and fertilizer for fifteen schools to help create sustainable feeding programmes. The World Food Programme no longer provides a daily meal for Zambian school children, recommending that schools have gardens to grow their own food. The ATD Foundation has offered assistance for this project.

BELGIAN LAWYERS FOR AFRICA DONATE MAIZE IN JAFUTA VILLAGE

The hunger was evident in every village I visited. Thanks to the tremendous support the charity has received, most recently emergency relief grant aid from GOAC, we continue to distribute bags of ground maize to communities in Nyawa, Sekute and Mukuni Chiefdoms. The Headmen in each community select the most vulnerable, including the elderly, and registers are kept. This project is also very challenging as the National Milling Company in Livingstone provides maize for both the Southern and Western Provinces, therefore the demand is exceptionally high. However, we are reaching out to thousands of people, ensuring all our orphans receive sufficient food, and helping schools with their feeding programmes.

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE – BUNSANGA COMMUNITY

As regards our health projects we are making sound progress. Our latest developments include a maternity ward and mother’s shelter at Simonga health post, and a new health post and staff house at Bunsanga. Mosquito nets were donated to pupils at Kamwi and Mambova Schools for our ‘mosquito nets for schools’ programme, thanks to donations from the Society of the Sacred Heart and Royal Leamington Spa Rotary Club.

On the education front a boarding house has been completed at Mukuni Secondary School, a classroom block at River View thanks to Nick Bousliman’s generous donation and two boarding houses are currently under construction at River View Secondary School, funded by the Hilary and Neil Charitable Foundation. The Foundation has also recently supported the food crisis and our malaria prevention programmes. Muyundu Community School has a new classroom block and latrines and Kawewa Primary School Development, funded by the BFSS, has now been completed.

NEW 1 X 2 CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

This was the toughest and most humbling trip I have made to Zambia in thirteen years, however it was wonderful to see the progress being made and to be able to help people in desperate need of food and water. In temperatures soaring to 40 degrees, for almost a month I worked tirelessly with the team in Zambia, who are the most amazing people you could ever wish to meet. Much of the praise I receive is dedicated to them, without their hard work, trust and committment, The Butterfly Tree would not have been able to achieve so much.

Jane Kaye-Bailey – Founder

CLEAN WATER AND FOOD SECURITY

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

One of the things that donors and supporters frequently say to me is ‘you have saved so many lives!’ However, I usually correct them by saying we have no proof that we have actually saved a life, but The Butterfly Tree is ‘helping to save lives’, especially with our malaria prevention intiatives.

Malaria prevention and all of our projects in Zambia are vitally important, but no more so than water. According to the World Health Organization access to safe drinking-water is a basic human right, and yet a third of Zambia’s population do not have safe drinking water! Where we work we see many remote communities relying on rivers and streams for drinking water.

Due to the the severe drought in Southern and Western Zambia rivers and streams are dry, and for some the situation is now critical.

DRY STREAM AND RIVERS ARE A COMMON SITE

The boreholes, which we have previously installed are proving to be invaluable, and potentially life-saving, especially in the outreach areas of Nyawa Chiefdom, where communities normally rely on river water. People are travelling long distances to reach Zalu and other schools where we have added boreholes in recent years. Every day they arrive with buckets and barrels using donkeys and carts to transport this most precious of commodities.

COLLECTING CLEAN DRINKING WATER – ZALU COMMUNITY SCHOOL

In other areas where there are no boreholes people are digging deep holes in dry river beds and must wait hours for water to trickle through. Having lost all their crops, due to the drought, they also need water for their livestock. Our volunteers have witnessed this in many areas, not just in Nyawa, but also in Mukuni Chiefdom. The scene is heart rendering.

SOURCING DRINKING WATER – SIMUKOMA VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

On a positive note I am pleased to report that nine boreholes are being installed thanks to generous donations, most recently from ‘Belgian Lawyers for Africa – It’s Legal to Care‘. Their successful fundraiser will pay for for three boreholes and towards our ‘seeds for schools‘ project. Over the next few months we aim to help more schools to create sustainable feeding programmes, looking at altenrative crops to maize, which is rain-dependent.

SCHOOL GARDENS TO SUPPORT FEEDING PROGRAMMES – N’GANDU

I have been totally overwhelmed by the support we have received for the food crisis appeal. Your donations are providing roller meal (ground maize) for thousands of people whose crops failed this year. We are so grateful to everyone, most especially GOAC for granting the charity an Emergency Relief Award, the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation, the ATD Foundation, Motive Real Estate Group and to Nick Bousliman.

BAGS OF ROLLER MEAL DONATION – KAMWI VILLAGE

I would like to apologise to anyone who is waiting for updates on the orphans they are sponsoring. Our priority for now is to ensure that all the orphans on our programme have food and water. I will be going to Zambia this week and will be working with the team, distributing food, checking existing and sourcing new projects, as well as meeting the orphans we support.

We still need donations for water and food programmes to continue helping people get through this drought period. If you would like to make a donation please use either of these platforms: Kindlink or PaypalGivingFund

THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I have pleasure in presenting The Butterfly Tree’s Annual Report and Accounts from the 1st April 2018 to 31st March 2019.

Please click on the link below:

The Butterfly Tree – Annual Report and Accounts 2018 -19

In summary:

What a year! After reporting that last year was one of the best years we have ever had, this financial year has topped it. We have completed more projects, further advanced our malaria prevention programme, and provided safe clean water, sanitation and community houses for thousands of orphans and vulnerable people.

SCIENCE LABORATORY AND EXAMINATION CENTRE – RIVER VIEW

The Butterfly Tree’s malaria prevention programme continues to produce encouraging results. In January 2019 we were able to coat the remainder of dwellings in Moomba Chiefdom and have considerably reduced the number of malaria cases. In addition, we provided mosquito nets for Sikaunzwe, Kawewa, Kamwi and Mambova Schools, which not only helps to save lives, but prevents absenteeism from school. One of the highlights of the year was to be announced as runner up in the global AidEx Innovation Challenge. It was a privilege to be able to present our malaria prevention initiative at the event, which took place in Brussels in November 2018. Competition was stiff, with over 50 corporate entries, consequently we were delighted to have done so well.

AIDEX INNOVATION CHALLENGE – RUNNER-UP

As always, our orphan sponsorship programme is at the forefront of our work, with Mukuni and River View being the biggest schools we support. The schools have 1,350 and 1,500 pupils respectively, therefore the majority of sponsorship takes place at these two schools. Kamwi, N’gandu, Ndele also get support as well as few orphans at Kazungula Boarding School and some children from outreach schools in Mukuni and Sekute Chiefdoms.

SPONSORED ORPHANS – KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL

Seventeen students were sponsored at university and colleges studying a variety of courses including teaching, journalism, IT, building, plumbing, electrics and tailoring. The skilled based courses give school leavers an opportuntiy to be self-employed or set up local enterprises. We received a wonderful donation from LeapLearning, Norway in the form of a new educational method using technology with stations, which has been installed at River View School.

SCIENCE LESSONS – RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

Education is vitally important for children living in rural areas, not just from early learning, but also to have adequate facilities for secondary school studies. After the success of River View, which is now an approved examination centre, we have been built a science lab in Nyawa to prevent pupils having to travel 120km to sit their finals. After seeing classrooms with as many as 110 pupils at River View School a 1×2 classroom block is under construction, and also one for Kawewa School to give them the opportuntiy incorporate grades 8 and 9. Latrines were added added to Bunsanga School to complete the development of a new community school.

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK UNDER CONSTRUCTION – KAWEWA PRIMARY SCHOOL

On the health front a major advancement took place at Sikaunzwe Rural Health Centre. The project included a new clinic, maternity ward, mother’s shelter and latrines. A further grant was approved for a rural health post at Bunsanga for a clinic, staff house and latrines. These rural healh centres are crucial in helping to diagnose and treat malaria, HIV and TB, and for infant vaccinations, antenatal and post natal clinics. Improved sanitation was added to Mukuni mother’s shelter. In addition medical supplies were donated to Mukuni, Mambova, Sikaunzwe and Nyawa rural Health Centres, as well as Livingstone General Hospital.

RURAL HEALTH CENTRE EXPANSION – SIKAUNZWE

In the past twelve months we drilled boreholes at Muyunda, Mayoba, Zalu and Nakawa schools, and one for the Mukalahani Village. We received a donation of thirty mobile water barrels for the elderly. We built seventeen community houses and distributed maize and blankets in Mukuni, Nyawa and Sekute Villages. Sadly, the rainfall this season was so poor that water and food shortages are predicted. After returning from Zambia, at the end of March, I started creating awareness and raising funds for food security to help rural schools and communities.

BOREHOLE DRILLING – MUKALAHANI VILLAGE

We had visitors and volunteers from the UK, Canada, US, Brazil, Argentina and New Zealand. The visitors are taken to see our vital work and volunteers can get involved with classroom and house building, setting up chicken and soap-making enterprises and teaching pupils in Mukuni, Kamwi and River View Schools.

COMMUNITY HOUSE BUILDING – MUKUNI VILLAGE

A further honour has helped to boost the charity after I was awarded The Prime Minister’s Points of Life Award for my work with orphans and malaria prevention. This was totally unexpected, extremely humbling, and something that I share with my fellow Trustees and volunteers, both in the UK and Zambia. Without their commitment the charity would not be so successful. I would like to express my sincere thanks to long-term Trustees Miranda, Ann (Treasurer) and Wendy, for their tremendous contribution, though I am sorry to announce that Wendy had to step down after moving to the United States. However, I am delighted to welcome Jackie Brown, a former Head of House for a London University, who grew up in Zambia, to our Board. Special thanks also to our volunteers David, Carolyn, Valerie and Leah, who do so much behind the scenes, and to our overseas volunteers Marilee and Grant Gibson and Katie Boothby in Canada and Frank Maiola in the US. The charity continues to thrive as a result of having such dedicated people on our team.

THE PRIME MINISTER’S ‘POINTS OF LIFE’ AWARD – PRESENTED BY NADHIM ZAHAWI

Nothing would be achieved without The Butterfly Tree team in Zambia. Their tireless and selfless efforts are truly remarkable. Every day they administer and manage numerous projects for our water, food, health and education programmes as well as the orphan sponsorship. Frequently they hours on end to reach remote schools and communities throughout the Kazungula District.

The team comprises of Mupotola Siloka (Secretary & Project Manager), Presley Mulenga (Head of Education), Martin Mushabati (Ground Operations Manager), Stain Musungaila (Malaria Prevention), Sibeso Maseke (Environmetal Officer) and most recently Natasha Mufeya, a former sponsored orphan and Mafian Sitali. Sincere thanks to Chief Mukuni and the local tour operators and hoteliers who promote our work.

THE BUTTERFLY TREE NGO TRUSTEES – PRESLEY, MARTIN AND MUPOTOLA

No charity can continue to prosper without the support of its donors and fundraisers. We have acquired a considerable number of global followers who generously donate funds and award grants for our projects. A huge thanks to our major donors the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, the British and Foreign School Society, the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation, ATD Foundation, Motive Real Estate Texas, Mukuni Village Fund (Australia), Dawson Group, Nationwide Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, Larry and Gaylen Robbins, and Nick Bousliman, and Grenfell James for freely verifying the charity.

I am also extremely grateful to all the individuals, corporates, schools, clubs and churches and organisation that support our cause. Almost 100% of money raised has gone into our grass root projects, enabling us to build more new schools and clinics, provide clean water, feeding programmes, HIV and malaria prevention for thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children to give them hope for a better future.

The full report and accounts includes more projects, photos and financial details – please click on the link below:

The Butterfly Tree – Annual Report and Accounts 2018 -19

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 2019

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

‘Celebrated every year on 19 August, World Humanitarian Day is directed towards honoring humanitarian efforts worldwide and propagating the idea of supporting people in crisis’.

ELVIS & VINCENT, SUPPORTED SINCE LOSING THEIR MOTHER DURING CHILDBIRTH

The Butterfly Tree’s humanitarian programmes have been operating in Zambia for over thirteen years and had an enormous impact in the Kazungula District. Thousands more children are enrolled in schools and have improved healthcare facilities, access to clean water and sanitation, to name but a few of our projects.

THE CHARITY PROVIDES FUNDS TO IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH FACILITIES

Kawewa School expansion to add extra grades is progressing well, thanks to a grant from the BFSS. The new school at Muyunda, a remote area in Nyawa, is almost complete. A further boarding shelter is being constructed at Mukuni High School, after a group of students from Arnewood School raised funds and spent five days working on the site and assisting in our special education unit.

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR MUYUNDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL

A new health post and staff house are currently being constructed at Bunsanga, after receiving further grant aid from GOAC, and the addition of a maternity ward and women’s shelter at Simonga clinic is under way. More houses for widows and orphans in Kamwi Village have been donated by Motive Real Estate, Texas.

SEVEN MORE HOUSES FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

In the next few weeks commencement of an entire new school, close to the Kazungula border, and two boarding shelters at River View School, will commence. This area has a high prevalence of HIV. Funds have been generously donated by the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation. The aim is to enrol children who are not attending school, who can eventually go to River View Secondary School.

RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL – KAZUNGULA

We are doing everything possible to help with the severe drought, which is affecting over 2 million Zambians in the Southern and Western Provinces. Bags of roller meal are being distributed on a regular basis as a result of your donations. We cannot help everyone, but we are reaching out to vulnerable people in Nyawa, Sekute and Mukuni Chiefdoms.

INVALUABLE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES

Villages in the remote areas, that rely on streams and rivers for drinking water, are suffering the most. Funding is in place for five boreholes, with three more on the way. Margaret Bax and her family kindly donated two boreholes for Mukuni Chiefdom. Another one is a result of a birthday gift – ‘when one year old Indiana is older her parents will tell her that to celebrate her first birthday, they, her family and friends kindly donated a borehole to help those most in need’. In October three young lawyers are coming to Zambia, after raising money for boreholes through their brilliant initative ‘Belgian Lawyers for Africa – It’s Legal to Care‘.

EIGHT BOREHOLES TO BE DRILLED TO HELP WITH WATER SHORTAGES

On the malaria prevention front we have been distributing mosquito nets to school children and villages, and targeting Ngwezi zone in Sekute Chiefdom to reduce the number of malaria cases. At the end of August Martin, is going to walk 180km from Porto in Portugal to Santiago in Spain to raise awareness and funds for mosquito nets. Entitled ‘the flamingos are walking for malaria prevention‘, we will be following his progress and posting on Social Media.

DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – CHUUNGA VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Through your tremendous support, whether you are a donor, volunteer or fundraiser we celebrate our achievements on World Humanitarian Day and aim to improve the lives of many more less fortunate children. If you you would like to make a donation towards the food and water crisis all our platforms are free.

ZERO CASES OF MALARIA RECORDED IN NYAWA VILLAGES

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Many of you may have seen last week’s alarming news regarding resistant malaria spreading in South East Asia and that the parasites have moved from Cambodia to Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, and that it would be catastrophic if it reached Africa.

There are an estimated 219 million of malaria cases each year, most occur in Africa, with Zambia being no exception. 75% of the 435,000 annual deaths occur in children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa.

THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER – ZAMBIA

While the researches and drug companies are seeking a cure and alternative medications to overcome resistance, malaria prevention methods are imperative to avoid new cases of malaria. The Butterfly Tree’s programme, which is proving to be highly successful, is helping to prevent new cases occuring in Zambia.

PUPILS AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL HAVE PROTECTION FOR MALARIA

The latest report received from the Environmental Officer in Nyawa Chiefdom, states ZERO cases of malaria after our intervention. We provided universal coverage for two villages and their surrounding communities, where there was a high prevalence of malaria. Each dwelling was painted with a safe insecticidal coating, larvicide was placed in streams and ponds, and mosquito nets were given to each family.

ZERO CASES OF MALARIA IN NYAWA VILLAGES

These results are significant and prove that eradication can happen. In Moomba Chiefdom, some 300 km from our base, 46% of the population had malaria in 2017. In December that year the charity started a programme to provide universal coverage for the entire Chiefdom, here are the latest statistics:

1,531 cases in 2017
525 cases in 2018
56 cases to date in 2019

MOOMBA CHIEFDOM – MALARIA CASES SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED

We aim to continue providing mosquito nets for schools after identifying that school children are not being protected from malaria as priority is given to pregnant women and children under five. Every pupil and teacher is given a mosquito net. 3,500 nets have been given to the following schools: River View, Sikaunzwe, Kawewa, Mambova, Chuunga and Kamwi.

MOSQUITO NETS FOR CHUUNGA COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL

In September we are to provide further protection for an area in Musokotwane Chiefdom. After visiting Ngwezi Rural Health Centre in March and learning that the larvicide, which we had previously donated, was helping to reduce the number of malaria cases, the next phase will be to apply the insecticidal coating. In addition, mosquito nets will be given to three schools in the area. We are very grateful for the recent support from the Hilary and Neil Murphy Foundation, GOAC and Rotary Clubs.

MALARIA PREVENTION PROGRAMME – NGWEZI

I am delighted to announce that The Butterfly Tree has been invited by the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs for Great Britain and Ireland as one of their International Service Chairman’s Charities for 2019-20, along with Medical Aid Films. At their National Conference in Leicester last month the three organisations, formed a partnership, and will be ‘Working Together to Prevent Malaria.’

JANE KAYE-BAILEY WITH SHAMIM GOVANI AND CATHERINE McCARTHY

ADVANCEMENT IN EDUCATION FOR RURAL CHILDREN

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 states: ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all‘ and yet, according to the UN, sub-Sahara Africa still has some of the lowest participation rates in early childhood and primary education.

I frequently find rural children in Zambia not attending school. The reasons being the lack of schools and trained teachers, distances to access education, and high level of poverty. My belief is ‘that every child has a right to education’ – the charity’s main aim is to advance the educational facilities in rural areas and to support orphans and vulnerable children with equal opportunities for boys and girls.

MUKUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL – WHERE ITA ALL STARTED IN 2006

The Butterfly Tree is the biggest contributor to education in the entire Kazungula District. Three more projects are almost complete: Kawewa Primary School will shortly be upgraded with a substantial grant from the BFSS. River View has an additional classroom block thanks to Nick Bousliman, and a private donor has generously funded an entire new school at Muyunda.

RIVER VIEW GRADE 6 PUPILS WELCOME NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK

Last year I was informed that 280 pupils, from villages surrounding the town of Kazungula, were not attending school. This area is at the border to Botswana and has hundreds of truck drivers passing through every week. Consequently there is a high prevalence of HIV.

After visiting the area in March I was determined to find a solution for the 280 children, and no doubt the many more undiscovered. Therefore, my proposal was to construct an entire new school as nearby River View, with 1,500 pupils, is full. I am delighted to say that The Hilary and Neil Murphy Foundation has donated significant funds for a classroom block, desks and latrines, in addition to funding two boarding shelters to enable outreach pupils to attend River View School.

KAZUNGULA – 280 PUPILS WILL HAVE A NEW SCHOOL THIS YEAR

Sadly, the food crisis, continues to cause much distress. Thanks to the incredible response to our appeal we have distributed over 5,000 bags of roller meal to help approximately 20,000 people. Heartbreaking stories have emerged, that reduce us all to tears, most especially about an old man in Nyawa, who recently had his first proper meal in two months.

MUYUNDA COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL RECEIVE BAGS OF MAIZE

After hearing that we were distributing maize at Muyunda, the old man walked there from Kadanda village, but found nothing left. He then walked to Singwamba and luckily, a few bags remained. To Muyunda from his home 20km…to Singwamba…16km and back home…8km. A staggering 44km or 27 miles!!!

To continue distributing food to orphans and vulnerable people we need more donations. Your support is highly appreciated as you will see from this message: ‘The headmen for Bunsanga send you a thundrous appreciation of roller meal given to their vulnerable people and for school children.’

OLD MAN FROM KANDANDA VILLAGE WALKED ALL DAY TO FIND FOOD

Notification: Mydonate has now closed, please use any of the following methods to donate: Kindlink our new platform is easy to use, or PayPal Giving Fund, both are free services. For bank transfers or monthly standing orders please contact: jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

FUNDRAISING AND ONLINE DONATIONS

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

After seven years of excellent service Mydonate is closing on the 30th June. Since 2012 British Telecom has provided us with a free platform to facilitate our online donations. We have recently conducted extensive research and pleased to announce Kindlink a new platform that has similar values and tools, and is easy to use. In addition we have registered with PayPal Giving Fund, which is 100% free or you can use the normal PayPal method – charities are given a reduced rate of 1.4%.

STUNNING MURAL, WITH CHILDREN ADDING THEIR ‘BUTTERFLY’ HANDPRINTS PAINTED BY LUCY MACHIN

For those donors and sponsors that pay monthly through Mydonate, you can either switch to Kindlink or the simplest way is to set up a monthly standing order through your bank. Should you prefer this method please contact us for our bank details. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and hope that you will continue to support our worthy cause.

MONTHLY DONATIONS CAN HELP AN ORPHAN TO BE EDUCATED

The continuing severity of the food crisis is taking up a great deal of our time, fortunately, the first quarter of our new financial year has got off to an amazing start, which has enabled us to reach areas in much need. A huge thank you to everyone who has sent in donations, we are distributing over 4,000 bags of maize in Mukuni, Sekute and Nyawa Chiefdoms. Sadly, we appear to be the only charity offering assistance and people are desparate. As yet, nothing has been forthcoming from my continual pleas to the big organisations.

MAIZE BEING STORED READY TO TAKE TO OUTREACH VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS

Schools and individuals have helped us by setting up their own Facebook pages to raise funds. All you need to do is add a donation button to your page and support The Butterfly Tree, this is a totally free service. Lucy, who recently volunteered in Zambia, raised a considerable amount of money using this method, as well as painting the stunning mural, pictured above. Our thanks to Tring School for their successful fundraiser for the food crisis.

THE CHARITY IS DAILY DISTRIBUTING BAGS OF MAIZE

We are looking forward to receiving more volunteers and visitors this year. These include pupils from Arnewood School in Hampsire who raised money for a boarding shelter, Daemon College, New York to volunteer with medical staff at Mukuni, and Blooms Pharmacist, Australia, who are generously donating a maternity ward for Simango Health Post. In addition Margaret and Casey, long standing donors, are to visit with their family, who have donated latrines and a borehole.

SIMONGA HEALTH POST TO HAVE A MATERNITY WARD

There are so many ways to fundraise and one of the easiest is to get your schools and communities involved. I was recently contacted by a passionate football fan from Scotland who has set up Pepe’s Zambia Football Foundation. Scott, the founder, is collecting football strips and raising funds to advance football for rural schools and local teams in Zambia. We are delighted to form a partnership, which will help to boost our ‘Butterfly Sport‘ project to tackle HIV, teenage pregnancies and other social issues.

SCOTT’S SON PICTURED WITH ANDY ROBERTSON, SCOTLAND’S CAPTAIN & LIVERPOOL PLAYER, WHO SIGNED MEMORABILIA TO AUCTION

If you require further information about using the new donation platform, need our bank details or would like to do some fundraising for The Butterfly Tree, please contact me via email: jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

RESPONSE TO THE FOOD CRISIS IN ZAMBIA

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I cannot thank enough, all the individual people, schools and businesses, most recently Dawson Group, who have sent in donations and messages in support of our food crisis appeal in Zambia. Your help has enabled us to reach out to orphans and vulnerable children, most epsecially those with HIV, who need food to take their medication, and also elderly people who have no one to provide for them.

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE TO ORPHANS – KAMWI VILLAGE

To assist the Zambian government and rural communities we are currently distibuting maize in Nyawa, Sekute and Mukuni Chiefdoms, after conducting surveys in several areas. One result, from a remote area in Nyawa where the people are dependent on growing maize for their own consumption as well as selling it to earn an income, showed that 62% of households headed by women and the elderly looking after grandchildren, did not have food. This is the case in most rural areas thoughout the Southern Province.

COMMUNITIES FAILED TO GROW MAIZE DUE TO LACK OF RAIN

In addition we will support community schools, such as Bunsanga, that do not come under the World Food Programme. For those that do, schools reopen today, after a month’s break, and if a feeding programme is available it will help to reduce the burden and at least give growing children one meal per day. We are to provide on going food for boarders at both Mukuni and River View Schools. These pupils, from remote villages, must take food supplies with them, but sadly due to the drought parents simply don’t have sufficient food.

BUNSANGA COMMUNITY SCHOOL TO BE PROVIDED WITH MAIZE

On a happier note our other projects are doing really well. New classrooms will shortly be completed for River View, Kawewa and Muyunda Schools and latrines are being added to Bunsanga School. Bunsanga is also to gain a health post, the closest one is 16km from the village. This will enable to Ministry of Health to have a safe facility to provide maternity care, vaccinations, and malaria and HIV prevention.

NEW SCHOOL FOR MUYUNDA COMMUNITY – NYAWA CHIEFDOM

Our malaria prevention programme has received a substantial boost thanks to a grant from the Hilary and Neil Murphy Foundation. Mosquito nets will be puchased for at least three schools and more villages will have protection when their houses have been painted with safe insecticidal coating. Our most recent project in villages in Nyawa, where there was a high prevalence of malaria, reports no new cases on malaria since the application took place in April 2018.

DISTIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – KAWEWA JUNIOR SCHOOL

All of our projects are vitally important. However, for now we urgently need funds to help with this dreadful food crisis. The drought is so widespread that we need more donations. It costs just £7 for a bag of maize, which will feed a family of 4, for 3 weeks. As always no adminstration fees will be deducted from your donations.

If you wish to donate please use either our secure online facility, Mydonate or send an email to request our bank details to jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Jane Kaye-Bailey

FOOD CRISIS IN SOUTHERN ZAMBIA

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

As many of you, who regularly read our newsletters, will know I always try to report positive news as we are saturated with shocking and depressing news. Therefore I have given it a great deal of thought before writing this post.

During the last thirteen years we have made a sustainable impact in water, health, education and sustainable feeding programmes throughout the Kazungula District, which covers a wide area and has a population in excess of 70,000. However, never before have we had to contend with a severe drought – this is a perfect example of climate change!

THIS RIVER IN NYAWA WAS SO FULL LAST YEAR THAT IT CAUSED THE MAIN BRIDGE TO COLLAPSE

This years rainy season did not really happen, which has resulted in crop failures and dry streams and rivers. Last month I drove hundreds of kilometers visiting remote schools, health centres and villages and everywhere was the same picture. One month on the situation has worsened. This is the time when food is normally in abundance, maize and millet ripening and vegetables readily available. There will be no rain before the end of the year as it is now the dry season.

MAIZE CROP FAILURE – MUSOKOTWANE CHIEFDOM

While the bigger organisations and government are conducting surveys children are hungry. What makes it worse is that schools, that have feeding programmes, are closed for the break. At Easter we made our first distribution in Mukuni and N’gandu. This week we asked one of our young volunteers to do a survey in Kamwi Village, where we sponsor many orphans to go to their school. Today he reported the following: ‘they just eat only lunch no breakfast or supper sometimes nothing.’ Tomorrow we will be giving out bags of maize to all of these children.

SPONSORED ORPHANS AND AN ELDERLY LADY RECEIVE MAIZE – MUKUNI VILLAGE

I have contacted some of the big charities, had two responses and waiting to hear further from them. I have appealed on Facebook and Linkedin and been overwhelmed by the response. I would personally like to thank everyone who has supported this appeal, most especially the Hilary and Neil Charitable Trust, whose donation will buy 2,500 bags of maize, and also to St Matthews Accountancy.

DONATIONS TO ORPHANS AND AN ELDERLY MAN – N’GANDU VILLAGE

However, we need to do much, much more. Though we cannot help everyone we can certainly reach out to the orphans and vulnerable children that we support, and also the elderly who have lost their children. If we can provide food until the World Food Programme or some other big organisation steps in we can prevent children suffering from malnutrition.

We are now buying the courser grain which is cheaper than the refined maize, and has a higher nutritious content. If you would like to donate a bag of maize it costs just £7. Please use either our secure online facility, Mydonate or send an email to request our bank details to jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Jane Kaye-Bailey

WORLD MALARIA DAY

Posted on April 25, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Today marks World Malaria Day. The World Health Organisation states ‘After more than a decade of steady advances in fighting malaria, progress has levelled off. According to WHO’s latest World malaria report, no significant gains were made in reducing malaria cases in the period 2015 to 2017′.

WHO STATISTICS

In 2017, there were an estimated 219 million cases of malaria in 87 countries.
The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 435 000 in 2017.
The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2017, the region was home to 92% of malaria cases and 93% of malaria deaths.

RURAL HEALTH CENTRES PLAY AN INVALUABLE ROLE IN MALARIA PREVENTION

Despite this disturbing news, I am pleased to say that The Butterfly Tree, though a relatively small grassroot charity, is making significant progress in malaria prevention. We have proof, from the environmental officers and the Zambian Ministry of Health, that our methods are working and that the number of new cases of malaria have been significantly reduced in the areas of application.

Since 2015 we have been using two safe innovative products. One of them is an insecticidal coating, used to paint the inside walls of dwellings, the other is a larvicide, which is placed in breeding grounds to prevent larva developing into mosquitos. We have applied the products in Mukuni, Moomba and Nyawa Chiefdoms, where malaria is prevalent, and most recently started a programme in Musokotwane.

COATING DWELLINGS – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Moomba Chiefdom is the most isolated community in the Kazungula District. In 2016 46% of the people had malaria. We first visited Moomba Health Centre, a distance of 300km from our base, in July 2017. As a result of donations, from St James’s Place Foundation, Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs and individuals, during the past fourteen months we have painted every dwelling in the entire Chiefdom. Last year the number of new cases of malaria had been reduced by two-thirds, by the end of this year we should see further reductions.

THE LONG DRIVE TO MOOMBA CHIEFDOM

In Nyawa Chiefdom, the area we selected had the highest prevalence of malaria. We painted the houses and placed larvicide in ponds and streams. Since January 2018 no new cases of malaria have been reported. We have recently started a programme in Musokotwane Chiefdom, using donations received from Stratford-upon Avon and North Worcestershire Rotary Clubs.

MEDICAL OFFICER, NGWEZI RURAL HEALTH CENTRE – MUSOKOTWANE CHIEFDOM

To prevent contracing malaria universal coverage is crucial. In addition to insecticidal coating and larvicide, mosquito nets must be provided. Sadly, in every region there is a shortfall of nets, with priority being given to pregnant women and children under the age of five. While working with the environmental officers we found that older children are contracting malaria due to not having protection.

MOSQUITO NETS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR PREGNANT WOMEN AND UNDER-FIVES

As a result we introduced the concept of giving mosquito nets to schools, ensuring that every pupil received their own mosquito net. In November 2017 we did a pilot scheme at River View School, donating 1,400 nets to pupils, and also included the teachers. For the past eighteen months no absenteeism has been caused by malaria. Three further schools – Sikaunswe, Kawewa and Mambova have each received a donation of mosquito nets. After the Easter break Kamwi and Chuunga schools will be included in this programme.

MOSQUITO NET DONATION FOR RIVER VIEW PUPILS

We are extremely grateful to have received grant aid from GOAC for the distribution of mosquito nets at River View, Sikaunzwe and Kawewa Schools, to Royal Leamington Spa Rotary Club for Mambova, and the Sacred Heart Foundation for Kamwi and Chuunga, and to everyone who has supported our vital work in helping the fight against malaria.