Christmas Newsletter

Posted on December 24, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Many of you will be enjoying this magical time of the year, in many parts of the world. Christmas is a time for giving and for being with families. Please remember all the children who are not as fortunate as ours, ones who will spend Christmas feeling hungry and no doubt lonely, after losing their parents as a result of disease, such as HIV/AIDS or malaria.

Mukuni Girls

This year we have been able to increase our support to help the fight against these devastating diseases. In November we started distributing the first of the new Vectorcide products in the Mukuni and Sekute Chiefdoms, providing improved protection against malaria. To date over 1,000 households have been coated with Mozzimort, a safe insecticidal paint.

children now have advanced protection from malaria

In addition we are using Larvicide granules, in known breeding areas, to prevent larva developing into mosquito. Our aim is to raise funds and awareness in order to distribute these products throughout Zambia.

Larvicide uses in breeding ground for msquito

Other recent improvements in healthcare include a clinic at Muchambile and two women’s shelters at Kasiya and Singwamba, funded by a private donor and The Besom. Over the Christmas period we have engaged school leavers, who were sponsored by The Butterfly Tree, and having been trained as peer educators, to run HIV prevention workshops.

Women’s Shelter – Singwamba

We are having a very productive year thanks to the support of on our going donors, volunteers and fundraisers. Since 2006 The Butterfly Tree has advanced some 30 schools, installed 16 bore holes and developed 10 rural clinics. Thousands of orphans and vulnerable children, throughout the Kazungula and Livingstone Districts, now have access to improved water supplies, feeding programmes, better education and healthcare.

New bore hole for Simsimuku School

Thank you to everyone for being part of our global following and for helping children in Zambia to have a better future. Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and good health and happiness in the New Year.

Jane Kaye-Bailey and the teams both in Zambia and the UK

Development News from Zambia

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

In January it will be ten years since I first stepped foot on Zambian soil. Little did I know that the country and its people would play such an important role in my life, that I would gain first hand and often heartbreaking insights into how people in remote areas cope with extreme poverty. This has enabled me to convey to you what is really happening on the ground and to continue our vital work to help these vulnerable people.

Two thirds of Zambians live on less than £1 per day

We have made tremendous progress in many areas, most especially by adding bore holes to schools, most recently to Siachabuki and Simuka. With the prolonged drought, which has caused considerable food shortages through the Southern Province, bore holes are essential, not only to provide safe drinking water, but also to enable irrigation for school gardens. This year thanks to a generous donation from Jane Keil and her family in Australia, fourteen schools are to receive seeds and fertilizers to develop sustainable feeding programmes.

New bore hole and hand pump – Siachakubi School

During my visit we hosted a wonderful group of donors from Attraction Tickets Direct. Their substantial donations have provided funds to expand Nampuyani, Singawamba and Kauwe Schools. The group brought with them vast amounts of school supplies and equipment.

Ollie Brendon and Attraction Tickets Direct Group – Singwamba School

One of the highlights of my trip was to distribute almost 500 football shirts, generously donated by Manchester United and organised by one of JOAC’s volunteers. Every pupil at N’gandu School received a shirt along with other items donated by JOAC. The school development at N’gandu is almost complete with the addition of a 1×3 classroom block, two teachers’ houses and latrines. This was funded by a grant from JOAC Community Works Projects.

Manchester United Donation – N’gandu School

Other schools that recently received funding are River View, who were given desks and text books. This school was also chosen as a beneficiary for a new project with our partners ‘School in a Bag’. 100 pupils received school bags containing all their educational needs. Kasiya School has new latrines, a teacher’s house has been restored at Kamwi and a new 1×2 classroom block at N’dele funded by BFSS. We are reaching out to 29 schools in four Chiefdoms.

School in Bag Partnership – River View School

So much development has taken place these past few months that I am going to write a separate post on our health projects. In the meantime to raise further funds for the projects, we are once again selling charity calendars. The cost is £5 per calendar, plus postage. In addition Manchester United has donated David de Gea’s kit from the pre-season tour, which we are currently auctioning. If you would like to place a bid or buy a calendar please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Malaria Season

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Next month is the start of the rainy season in Zambia and with it brings a higher risk of contracting malaria, the biggest killer of man. Though malaria is prevalent all year round, the next few months are the worst. It is essential that children have maximum protection against malaria. Every 60 seconds a child dies from malaria, 75% are under five in sub-Sahara Africa, including Zambia.

Last season the Mukuni Chiefdom alone reported 488 cases of malaria. The Butterfly Tree is currently raising funds to buy Vectorcide’s safe innovative products. Vectorcide caoting is far superior to the current method of indoor residual spraying, which is harmful, less effective and lasts only for six months.

YOUNG CHILDREN NEED PROTECTION FROM MALARIA

Working alongside the Ministry of Health, who fully support this new intervention, we aim to reduce the number of new cases of malaria. This initiative will not replace insecticide treated mosquito nets, instead it will add further protection to those most at risk, especially infants and pregnant women. Our first distribution is currently taking place in Mukuni villages thanks to a generous donation from Saga Charitable Trust.

MUKUNI VILLAGES TO RECEIVE FIRST VECTORCIDE COATING

November is also the time for planting. After several months without a drop of rain, the parched African terrain is desperate for water. Communities are hoping for ‘good rains’ – last year the rains were so poor, resulting in most maize crops in the Southern Province perishing.

‘GOOD RAINS’ ARE ESSENTIAL TO PRODUCE HEALTHY MAIZE

Good nutrition is essential for early development in children, but when your family is poor there is never enough food to go round. For many families surviving on just one meal a day is the norm. Maize is the staple diet of Zambians, especially those living in rural areas, but it is totally rain dependent. Consequently we are looking at crops that need less water.

GOOD NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL FOR EARLY DEVELOPMENT

To date we have supported some twenty schools to initiate sustainable feeding programmes. Our evaluation has shown that pupils performance and attendance is much improved. When children have to walk several miles to get to school it is comforting to know that food will be available.

FEEDING PROGRAMMES HELP TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER

In the 21st century no child should go hungry, and yet according to the World Food Programme Organisation there are 795 million hungry people, of which 75% are in rural areas of Africa and Asia. Funds for malaria prevention and for feeding programmes are needed for this season. We are very grateful for any support you can offer, please use this link to make a donation.

Health Improvements for Zambia

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The Butterfly Tree is making great strides advancing health facilities in rural Zambia. In addition to the Health Centre we opened at Mahalulu last year, we have built a clinic at Muchambila and two more women’s shelters at Singwamba and Kasiya thanks to generous donations from The Besom and a private donor. This enables women to have a safe place to stay prior to the onset on labour.

WOMEN’S SHELTER – A SAFE HAVEN FOR MOTHERS AND UNBORN BABIES

With high prevalences of HIV, TB and Malaria there are not enough rural clinics in Zambia. Many people have to walk 30 miles to seek medical attention, which is no mean feat if you are heavily pregnant, have a high temperature or some disability, especially when the temperature soars to 40 degrees Celsius. Mukuni Health Centre has a catchment in access of 8,000 people, this number could be reduced if there were more health posts in outreach areas.

THE BUTTERFLY TREE SUPPORTS HEALTH PROJECTS IN RURAL VILLAGES

Our new malaria prevention programme, using Vectorcide products aims to reduce the number of cases of malaria, especially in the under fives. 75% of deaths caused by malaria are this age category in sub-Sahara Africa. Our aim is to replace harmful indoor residual spraying with Mozzimort coating. Mosquito nets are still vital and will work in conjunction with the new products to give maximum protection.

CHUUNGA AND KAMWI COMMUNITIES TO BE PROTECTED BY VECTORCIDE COATING

Last year saw an alarming increase of malaria in the Southern Province of Zambia. The rainy season starts in November, therefore we urgently need funds to buy more products and mosquito nets in order to avoid a further increase in malaria. With drug resistance growing, prevention is essential. The first villages to be targeted are Chuunga and Kamwi, in the Mukuni Chiefdom, thanks to generous funding by Saga Charitable Trust.

MOSQUITO NETS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR MALARIA PREVENTION

We continue to provide workshops for HIV prevention, using Meet Mutsa’s successful method of training peer educators, to spread the word amongst school pupils. With the extensive presence of HIV, teenage pregnancies and alcohol problems it is imperative that children learn about the dangers of HIV and AIDS at an early age. Our aim, as always, is to promote good health to give these orphaned and vulnerable children a better chance in life.

Malaria News from Zambia

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I have just returned from a very productive visit to Zambia with the highlight being the launch of our new innovative malaria prevention project. This took place at the Avani Victoria Falls Resort on July 29th and was attended by the Deputy Permanent Secretary, Government Health and Education officials, District Commissioners, Leading Members of the Communities, the Tourism Sector and the Chamber of Commerce. We are very grateful to Avani for donating the use of a conference room.

JANE WITH DEPUTY PERMANENT ARRIVING AT THE MALARIA PREVENTION LAUNCH

After my opening address the Deputy Permanent Secretary gave a speech followed by a presentation of the malaria prevention products by Stain Musungaila, The Butterfly Tree member who manages the project in Zambia. This was gratefully received by the Ministries and Heads of the Communities, and was subsequently reported in the national press.

JANE GIVES THE OPENING ADDRESS – MALARIA PREVENTION LAUNCH

The product details can be found using this link: Presentation – Vectorcide 2015

Malaria remains the number one killer of man. 75% of all deaths occur in children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa. Every 60 second a child dies from malaria. With a vaccine yet to be approved by the WHO malaria prevention is essential. According to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine these advanced products, supplied by Vectorcide UK and manufactured in a cutting edge laboratory in Poland, are far superior to anything else currently available on the global market.

YOUNG CHILDREN AND PREGNANT WOMEN MUST BE PROTECTED FROM MALARIA

The True Cost of Malaria – A Global Ongoing Battle – Doctor Fox

Thanks to Saga Charitable Trust the first shipment has arrived in Zambia and is being distributed in villages in the Mukuni Chiefdom where there is a high prevalence of malaria. Chuunga, Kamwi and Syaflwebafweba reported almost four hundred cases of malaria last year. It is imperative that we get these villages covered with Mozzimort before the onset of the rainy season.

STAIN MUSUNGAILA PAINTS A TEACHER’S HOUSE IN THE MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Other donations have come from individuals and Inner Wheel District 6, after The Butterfly Tree was chosen as their international charity of the year for two consecutive years 2013-15. Zambia is a vast country with many areas becoming inaccessible during the rains.

MOZZIMORT – SAFE INSECTICIDE COATING FOR MALARIA PREVENTION

The Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Control Centre, the Zambian Scientific Research Centre and the Environmental Agencies have been instrumental in helping us to get these products into Zambia. It is now hoped that both the Provincial health departments and the private sector will purchase these products to help prevent more loss of life.

We need further funds to reach out to rural communities – donations can be made using our secure on line facility: DONATE

Follow our malaria prevention progress on Facebook

Charity Annual Report 2014-15

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Chair’s Report…

2014–15 has been an extremely successful year for The Butterfly Tree, with donations and grant aid increasing by 30%. We gained many new donors and have reached out to several new schools and communities. I am astounded by the continued support from our loyal donors, volunteers and fundraisers, who have generously donated money and free time to help us continue this vital work. The grass root projects, which include education advancements, bore holes and improved healthcare, have also continued to grow. Our exciting new malaria prevention project is shortly to be launched.

Please follow the link to view the full Annual Report, Photos and Accounts: Annual Report 14-15

JANE WITH MICHAEL DAVID – NAMED AFTER HER TWO SONS

For the past twelve months we have been working with Vectorcide (a UK company), the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Zambian Malaria Control Centre and the Ministry of Health, to introduce two innovative malaria prevention methods that are perceived to be the most superior products currently available globally. This is a huge opportunity for us and most humbling to know that we have the potential to help save thousands of lives. The first distribution will be going to the Mukuni Chiefdom in July. In addition we received a donation of repellent t-shirts that offer a further form of protection.

KAMWI TWINS, VINCENT & ELVIS NEED PROTECTION FROM MALARIA

Over the years we have gained a sound reputation for transparency and for getting the job done! When in Zambia I drive to all the villages we are supporting. Sometimes it can be hazardous, but this way I am able to report first hand the remakable difference The Butterfly Tree is making. Earlier this year we received a substantial grant to develop N’gandu School, which dates back to 1947, and is in dire need of expansion. Further grant aid enabled us to expand N’dele School, a substantial donation paid for extensive development at Nampuyani School and one for restoration at Manyemuyemu.

NAMPUYANI SCHOOL EXPANSION

We continue to sponsor the education of orphans in several schools. We are extremely grateful for the on going support from our many sponsors, some joining us way back in 2006. Personally I believe one of our greatest achievements is to see former sponsored pupils attending teacher’s training college and other further education establishments. Three of them have returned to Mukuni to do work experience at the school. Others are studying agriculture and engineering, some are volunteering in schools and clinics, while others have sought employment.

Education and Health Advancements

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

With continual news on the launch of The Butterfly Tree’s malaria prevention project in Zambia I would like to reassure our donors and supporters that we have not neglected our grass root projects. These are so vital to the development of any community whether it be for health or education.

THOUSANDS OF RURAL CHILDREN ARE RECEIVING A BASIC EDUCATION

The most essential of all our projects is to provide safe clean water. This year the Southern areas of Zambia have experienced a poor rainy season. Reports are coming in of streams and rivers that would normally be full having very little water, and maize crops have perished. Adding a bore hole to a school or community helps to reduce diarrhoeal diseases and provides water to irrigate vegetables – one is shortly to be installed at Bunsanga, thanks to joint funding from the Cayman Islands Rotary Club, the Parishes of Abbots Wood and Leigh Woods and Nick Bousliman.

LOW RAINFALL IN SOUTHERN ZAMBIA

Several educational advancements are being made – a 1×2 classroom block and latrines is almost complete at N’dele Primary School using further grant aid from the British and Foreign School Society. N’gandu School is undergoing extensive expansion through JOAC’s Community Works Projects. Muchambile is to receive a boost from private donors who have ‘adopted’ the school and village, adding a much needed clinic. Kasiya Community School has new latrines thanks to Robert & Cindy Orr.

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR N’DELE PRIMARY SCHOOL

On health matters funding is now in place to build a women’s shelter for the Singwamba community. Currently women are sleeping in the open when they come to the clinic prior to delivery. The Besom has once again supported our work, along with Hannah Leon who took part in the Tough Mudder competition, and Ursula Reinheimer who raised money making cards and jewellery.

SINGWAMBA WOMEN’S SHELTER TO BE REPLACED BY A PERMANENT STRUCTURE

Both our malaria prevention project and HIV prevention through peer education are advancing, invaluable for future development of these rural communities who desperately need your support.

WORLD MALARIA DAY 2015

Posted on April 25, 2015 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The theme for World Malaria Day 2015 is ‘Many Voices, a single Theme‘. All over the world governments and organizations are helping the fight against malaria. Half the world’s population (3.2 billion) are at risk of contracting malaria,most especially in poor countries such as Zambia.

Malaria Protection is vital for young children

Malaria is the biggest killer of man. 198 million cases and a staggering 584,000 deaths were recorded in 2013.

The Butterfly Tree is about to launch our most ambitious project to date. A new innovative malaria prevention method will shortly be available in Zambia and beyond, which will initiated by our organisation.

Working alongside Vectorcide, the UK corporate who has funded the development of the products, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Vectorcide products are reputed to be superior products for malaria prevention. These products have now been approved in Zambia by the Ministry of Health, the Zambian Malaria Control Centre and the Environmental Management Agency.

We have been granted the Licence to import the products into Zambia. Our aim is to distribute these interventions into remote communities and also make them available to the tourism, agriculture, mining and other industries to prevent absenteeism from work as well as saving lives. One of our major donors, Saga Charitable Trust, is supporting this project.

Mosquito nets will continue to be used as an effective method for malaria prevention. The new products will provide further protection, Mozzimort being an alternative to Indoor Residual Spraying.

The Butterfly Tree provides mosquito nets for rural communities

Please support our fight against malaria – your donation could help to save a child’s life. Click donate.

WORLD AIDS DAY 2014

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

Boost Education & Malaria Prevention

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The build up to Christmas is truly under way – festive lights illuminating the high streets, TV and radio media advertising the latest computer games and supermarket crammed with treats. With so much turmoil happening around the globe, the raging wars, the natural disasters and the Ebola crisis, to mention but a few, it’s hard to get enthusiastic about Christmas. The unwanted gifts, the over indulgence, the unnecessary stress it all creates is it really worth it? There are so many good causes that need supporting and this is the perfect time for giving.

A recent quote from one of our orphan sponsors sums it up: ‘With all the excess involved in Christmas and even everyday spending on silly things, it is genuinely a delight to give money to people who really need it.’

Sponsor an orphan through The Butterfly Tree

This month The Butterfly Tree has received some amazing donations and grants. The British and Foreign School Society has approved a grant for a 1×2 classroom block and latrines for Ndele Primary School. This is just one of many education projects funded by the BFSS since 2007. Mukuni Special Education unit is to get a boost thanks to a generous donation from Pegnet, Germany and several more children have been added to our orphan sponsorship programme.

Ndele pupils to receive new classroom

November is Zambia is the start of the rainy season, after six months without a drop of rain the farmers and rural communities are rejoicing. This is the time for planting maize and other crops to secure enough food to store through the prolonged dry season. The downside is that the wet season increases the risk of contracting malaria. Chuunga Village has reported four new cases. We are working with Biotech International to bring new innovative methods of prevention to Zambia. Supported by Saga Charitable Foundation who has donated substantial funds to help boost this project, we aim to make the change. In addition New Textiles has donated over 100 protective t-shirts, which have been distributed amongst children at Mahalulu School.

Mahalulu pupils receiving protective t-shirts

This year we are not taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Many people found this very stressful and complained that they could not get the donation on in time. It is highly competitive and time consuming. Instead we have a private donor who has offered to match funds up to the value of £8,000. Anyone who would like to make a donation between now and the 8th December has a strong chance of getting their donation matched. Please click on DONATE to make a donation or contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk if you would like to make a bank transfer, send a cheque or require further details.