HIV Prevention | The Butterfly Tree Charity

It never rains but it pours – as the proverb goes! After two years of drought the rains in Zambia have come in abundance, though this is great news for the farmers and school feeding programmes it comes with a price. Several schools and many mud huts have been damaged because of high winds and heavy rains.

Mubiana Community School – Mukuni Chiefdom

As always working in Africa is challenging. Extreme poverty, malaria, HIV and AIDS, and climate change are just some of the serious issues people living in countries like Zambia face daily. The work of The Butterfly Tree has helped to transform the lives of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children by providing improved education and health facilities, safe drinking water, feeding programmes and better housing.

New Bore Hole and Indian Hand Pump for Nguba Pupils in the Nyawa Chiefdom

Motive Real Estate has donated two further houses and will raise their number of donations throughout the year. For the elderly living in villages life is tough. Many have lost their children as a result of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, left with orphaned grandchildren and no income. Our community house project has provided homes for over seventy families.

Houses – Provided for the Elderly and Windows with Orphans

For the start of the new school year eighteen schools have been given seeds and fertiliser to grow food for their feeding programmes. A considerable number of new orphans are being sponsored mainly at Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele and River View Schools, and seven students are attending college.

This Year Jacob Will Complete His Final Year at Agricultural College

Regrettably, we have had a problem with several teenage girls at in Mukuni and neighbouring villages falling pregnant. Not only have they lost the chance to complete their education, but there will be no support provided by social services. We are doing everything we can to prevent this from happening, we have trained peer educators who hold regular workshops on HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies and alcohol abuse, but sadly some still fall by the wayside.

Former Sponsored Orphans Trained as Peer Educators – Mukuni School

On a positive side the orphan sponsorship programme has enabled hundreds of orphans to receive a sound basic education. Some of the ones we started sponsoring back in 2006 have not only completed school, but have gained a college certificate and many others have sought employment. For just £10 per month an orphan is given hope and a chance for a better future. Thank to everyone of our sponsors for your invaluable support.

Today marks WORLD AIDS DAY, ‘an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history‘. An estimated 34 million people are believed to have HIV.

Though much has been done and many advances made, more people need to know the facts about HIV, prevention and protection. There is still a great deal of stigma and discrimination, increased awareness is needed, not just in developing countries, but also in developed countries, where complacency occurs. Zambia is one the countries that has been devastated by the pandemic, leaving 710,000 orphaned.

Orphan sponsorship – Young Mukuni girl

The Butterfly Tree supports orphans, providing improved healthcare and education in rural villages. Unlike townships these communities do not have access to media, books or classes, relying on health workers and non-government organisations to provide vital support. Every family in Zambia is effected or infected with the virus, treatment is free and readily available, however more needs to be done to protect the future generations.

HIV – voluntary testing and treatment is essential

In 2011 one of our volunteers, Mutsa Marau, initiated an HIV prevention programme through peer education, which is proving to be hugely successful. Having trained a group of school pupils, these brave young educators hold workshops in rural schools, delivering a powerful message. Today the group are organising activities in Mukuni Village, funded by The Butterfly Tree. This new generation can make the change!

Meet Mutsa’s ‘Catch Me I’m a Butterfly!’

The theme for WORLD AIDS DAY 2014 is: ‘Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation’

If you would like to offer support we are currently running a matched funding campaign. Any donation received between now and December 8th has a strong chance of being matched. Please click on DONATE to make a donation on our special fundraising page. If you prefer to make a bank transfer, send a cheque or require further details please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Category Archives: HIV Prevention

Food, Homes and Sponsorship for Orphans

WORLD AIDS DAY 2014