The new year has got off to a great start with several projects underway and more orphans and college students being sponsored. We received a number of substantial donations during the two months leading up to Christmas with additional donors coming ‘on board’. Exam results for grades 7 and 9 have been published and I am delighted to say that some of our sponsored orphans gained excellent marks.

NCHIMUNYA GAINS EXCELLENT RESULTS

Nchimunya, who attends River View School, not only gained one of the highest results in the District but also in the Southern Province. The new Science lab, kindly funded by the Hilary and Neil Trust, proved to be invaluable, as grade 9 and 12 pupils no longer needed to travel 60km to Livingstone to sit their exams. Nick Bousliman, one of our US donors, has generously donated funds to build a classroom block for the junior section of River View, where classes currently accommodate between 60 and 120 pupils. Nakawa Pre-school development is well underway thanks to funding from the ATD Foundation.

NEW SCIENCE BLOCK – RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

Work is also underway for a classroom block at Kawewa as a result of grant aid from the BFSS. Our group of peer educators have now completed the skilled-based college courses – Jafter, Edwin, Dennis and Peter will be joining our builders next week and will start earning an income. Mafian has qualified as a plumber while Donald in now an electrical engineering. Benson, after being sponsored from an early age, has started an IT course in Lusaka, Thanks to sponsorship from The Teamworks, Mwandu, is studying Bio-medicine in Kafuwe. Six other students are continuing with their college and university courses.

BENSON STUDYING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY – LUSAKA

Natasha and Nagama, after completing their tailoring courses, will shortly be making school uniforms to create a sustainable income to support their families. Natasha, having been orphaned at an early age, is our new coordinator for the orphan sponsorship programme. I have known her for over ten years, she is dedicated and hardworking, and a great addition to our main team in Zambia. We are currently putting a new administrative system in place and apologise to those of you who are waiting for updates and details of new orphans to sponsor. As January is the start of the school year in Zambia we decided to wait until the schools opened to identify those most in need of support. Five further community houses, have been doanted by Motive Real Estate for widows and orphans.

NATASHA – ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP COORDINATOR

VIP Latrines – Nakawa Pre-school

After a run on boreholes in 2018 we are aiming to raise funds for more schools in need of safe water. We shall also be focusing on sanitation – VIP latrines are being installed at Muyundu and Bunsanga Community Schools, Kawewa Junior School and Mukuni women’s shelter. As always, we continue to provide support for malaria prevention. Next week the new settlement houses in Moomba Chiefdom will be painted with the safe insecticidal coating. Larvicide has again been distributed throughout the Chiedom. Pupils at Kamwi Junior School are to receive mosquito nets, and more support is to be offered for HIV prevention, with peer education workshops taking place at key schools.

Thank you to everyone for your support, and to those who have offered to sponsor orphans, details will shortly be emailed to you.

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Jane Kaye-Bailey

I feel incredibly lucky to once again go back to Zambia to see the progress your donations have made and to meet up with our wonderful local team. Their tireless efforts to help the people most in need never seizes to amaze me. Currently we have construction works taking place in Sekute, Mukuni and Nyawa Chiefdoms and I managed to get to virtually all of them!

JANE WITH MARTIN, ONE OF THE ZAMBIAN TEAM

River View is now one of the best schools in the District. In addition to the 1×4 classroom block added last year, the science lab is almost complete, which means that pupils no longer have to travel 60km to Livingstone to sit their exams. A further science lab is currently under construction in Nyawa where pupils travel up to 120km to reach an examination centre. Both these projects have been generously funded by the Hilary and Neil Charitable Trust.

SCIENCE LAB RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

Donations have also helped the communities in Kauwe and Singwamba to expand their schools and permanent structures are being built at Nakawa Pre-school thanks to funding from the ATD Foundation. A donation for 60 desks for Kauwe School was received from the Souter Charitable Trust. As the biggest contributor to education in the entire Kazungula District, The Butterfly Tree is continually praised by the Ministry of Education.

NEW LATRINES FOR NAKAWA PRE-SCHOOL

A new partnership with Leap Learning, Norway has helped to further advance education at River View School. While I was there the Founder, Marit and her colleague Adrian, set up the lab and the children immediately responded to this new form of learning with the use of technology and game stations. We aim to raise funds to add more learning labs in schools.

LEAP LEARNING TECHNOLOGY AND GAME STATIONS

An entire new health centre for the people of Sikaunzwe will make a significant difference. With 8,500 people depending on this facility the addition of a new clinic, maternity unit, women’s shelter and latrines as well as beds and equipment will help considerably. This is being funded by a generous grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, and will also include the purchase of 1,000 mosquito nets.

NEW HEALTH CENTRE AND DONATION OF BABY CLOTHS – SIKAUNZWE

The highlight of my trip was to watch the entire process of water being sourced at Mukalahani Village. I was on site at 8am with Katie, the donor and founder of Soap2Hope. For over four hours we patiently waited while the drilling machine dug deeper and deeper until suddenly the deposits of sad turned to mud and eventually water spouted out. The jubilation of the community was a wonderful site to see and by 4pm the Indian hand pump was installed. This is one of six boreholes that we have added in the past few months.

SAFE CLEAN WATER FOR THE MUKALAHANI COMMUNITY

The community housing project for the elderly, widows and orphans continues to grow thanks to Motive Real Estate, Texas who funded 11 out of 12 houses. and also gave a donation for a chicken project for women in Kamwi Village. A further 6 houses are currently under construction.

HOME FOR MUKUNI WIDOW LOOKING AFTER ORPHANS

On the malaria front I am delighted to report that our interventions are having a real impact. The number of cases in Moomba Chiefdom have reduced by two thirds, with most of the cases this year coming from settlers who were relocated from a game reserve, after we had applied the insecticidal coating. In Nyawa, where we distributed the malaria prevention products and mosquito nets, since April no new cases of malaria have been recorded.

MOSQUITO NETS DISTRIBUTION MOOMBA CHIEFDOM

One of the toughest, though very rewarding projects I worked with during my time in Zambia, was holding workshops on HIV prevention, early pregnancies and alcohol abuse at Mukuni, N’gandu and Kamwi Schools. Life is so difficult for these young people, that not only live in an area of extreme poverty, but an area of high HIV prevalence – they have suffered so much loss. However, I have learnt a great deal over the years, improving the ways to get the message over and hope that the orphans in particular will benefit from these sessions, which will be continued by our trained peer educators.

N’GANDU SCHOOL PUPILS PARTICIPATE IN AN HIV PREVENTION WORKSHOP

There was one more thing I needed to do before I headed back to the UK and that was to wish Vincent and Elvis, the Kamwi Twins, a ‘Happy Birthday’. Now eight years old The Butterfly Tree has sponsored them since their mother sadly died during childbirth with their baby sister. They are an absolute joy and like most Zambians they love football – credit must be given to their grandmother who has continued to nurture them.

VINCENT AND ELVIS CELEBRATE THEIR 8TH BIRTHDAY

Many thanks to all of you for your tremendous support.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

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It gives me much pleasure to present to you our latest Annual Report and Accounts. The full report and accounts, which includes projects we have supported throughout this year, can be found using this link: Annual Report and Accounts 2017-18

Executive Summary

This year has been one of the most successful in the history of charity, not only for fundraising, but the fact that we ventured into new terriority where no other charity or NGO had previously visited. in July 2017, we reached the remote area of Moomba Chiefdom.

JANE WITH KAMWI TWINS – VINCENT AND ELVIS

The Kazungula District is a vast area in the Southern Province of Zambia with a population in excess of 70,000. During the past twelve years we have expanded our work from Mukuni Chiefdom into Sekute, Musokotwane and Nyawa Chiefdoms, and now Moomba.

LONG ROAD TO MOOMBA

Whenever I discussed Moomba with anyone in Zambia they said: ‘the distance is too far’. However, after learning that 46% of the population had malaria in 2016, I felt I had to do something about it. In July 2017, accompanied by three of our Zambian team, we set off at 5.30am for the 300km journey. After driving 100km on a good tarmac road, the next 75km was pitted with deep pot holes, before we turned onto sandy terrain. I drove for seven hours, with just a 20 minute lunch break, until we reached Moomba Centre. We distributed mosquito nets and blankets for vulnerable children, discussed the malaria situation, and drove back to Livingstone, arriving at 10.45pm!

DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – MOOMBA VILLAGE

The mosquito nets, along with the use of safe insecticidal coating and larvicide, which we applied in December, helped to reduce the number of malaria cases in Moomba. Mukuni and Nyawa received support, and also Sekute, where we did a pioneer programme at River View School. 1,400 mosquito nets were donated to pupils and teachers. From October 2017 to the end of March 2018, no absenteeism has been reported from malaria.

1,400 MOSQUITO NETS DOANTED TO RIVER VIEW PUPILS AND TEACHERS

The invaluable orphan sponsorship programme continues to help these needy children to gain an education. As the older ones complete school new ones are added to the list. The Mukuni Village Fund, our Australian partner, as well as many individuals, sponsor over 250 individual children annually. In addition, we are currently sponsoring 16 students in further education. I must single out three students, Johan and Austine, who gained university places in Lusaka, and congratulate Jacob, who successfully completed a four year agricutural course. Our eight young peer educators are being sponsored at college in view of setting up skilled-based enterprises in 2019.

YOUTH PEER EDUCATORS ATTENDING COLLEGE COURSES

Education is the key to success and vital for children in rural areas. We have built a new school at Bunsanga, classroom blocks at Chaba and Singwamba schools, and a Science laboratory, to add to the recent 1×4 classroom block, at River View School. A considerable amount of desks, text books and school bags have been donated.

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK AND TEXT BOOKS FOR CHABA PUPILS

As regards health projects, a group of Canadian volunteers donated a much needed drainage system and funded restoration work at Mukuni Health Center. A grant was approved to construct a new health centre at Sikaunzwe, which includes a clinic, maternity unity, women’s shelter and latrines. This means that 8,550 people will have access to much improved medical care. Besides malaria prevention we funded HIV prevention workshops and treatment for sick children. In addition medical supplies were donated to Mukuni, Mambova, Sikaunzwe and Nyawa rural Health Centres, and Livingstone General Hospital.

AN ENTIRE NEW HEALTH CENTRE TO BE BUILT AT SIKAUNZWE

We continue to promote travel philanthropy and our team in Zambia meet tourists and take them to see our projects in Mukuni Village and beyond, which often results in a donation to the charity. We also had volunteers from the UK, USA and Canada, participating in healthcare, teaching, painting classrooms, women’s workshops and building houses. Fourteen community houses were given to widows and the elderly looking after orphans, and one major donor for this project helped with the construction.

CANADIAN VOLUNTEERS WITH MARTIN, ONE OF OUR ZAMBIAN TRUSTEES

I am so grateful to our UK team, especially my fellow Trustees, Miranda, Ann and Wendy who continue to help with the running and administration of the charity, their commitment has enabled us to reach out to new schools and communities. A special thanks to our volunteers David, Carolyn, Oscar, Valerie and Leah. All of them make a tremendous contribution to the success of the charity, as do our overseas volunteers Marilee and Grant Gibson in Canada and Frank Maiola, our US representative who has been with us since 2007.

NEW CALSSROOM BLOCK FOR BUNSANGA SCHOOL

Safety is a primary concern for us, both for the volunteers and the children we help. In light of the shocking allegations made against several big charities regarding sex exploitation, we have updated our Child Protection Policy, which can be viewed on on this on this Child Protection Safeguarding Policy_The Butterfly Tree Charity_March_2018

In November 2017 I was both delighted and honoured to have shortlisteed to the final four for a global award. Aidex Humanitarian Award took place in Brussels and though I did not win, the charity gained a corporate partner after hearing about our work in Zambia.

AIDEX HUMANITARIAN AWARDS – BRUSSELS

The Zambian team deserve enormous thanks for all they do for the charity and communities: Mupotola Siloka (Secretary & Project Manager), Presley Mulenga (Head of Education), Martin Mushabati (Ground Operations Manager), Stain Musungaila (Malaria Prevention) and Sibeso Maseke (Environmetal Officer). We have invited two of our young peer educators, who were previously sponsored by the charity, to serve on the Board. Natasha Mufeya and Mufian Sitali will be a great asset to the team, creating further sustainability. A special thanks to Chief Mukuni for his counsel, and the local tour operators and hoteliers who support our work.

MARTIN, MUPOTOLA AND PRESLEY – ZAMBIAN TRUSTEES

Obviously, without funds none of this could have been achieved. I am astounded by the continued support of some of our donors who have followed us since 2006. A huge thank you to all our supporters, whether an individual, a  company, a school, a club, a church or an organisation. Each and everyone of you has helped us to provide the essentials in life for thousands of orphans and vulnerable people in Zambia. I must acknowledge our major donors – the British and Foreign School Society, ATD Foundation, Mukuni Village Fund (Australia), Motive Real Estate (Texas), International Peace Projects, Nationwide Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, Larry and Gaylen Robbins for their incredibly generous support, and the George Spencer Academy for their successful fundraiser.  In addition, new donors the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission, the Hilary and Neil Charitable Trust and the Dawson Group, have substantially boosted our funds during the past year. Finally, I would like to thank Grenfell James, of Stratford-upon-Avon for once again freely verifying the accounts.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

As we approach our year end I find it hard to believe that it is now over twelve years since I first went to Zambia. It’s even harder to believe that The Butterfly Tree has grown from sponsoring a hand full of orphans to building schools, clinics, installing bore holes and initiating an advanced malaria prevention programme. Today I am heading back to this special part of the world to check on current projects and to source new ones.

DRIVING OFF ROAD TO RURAL COMMUNITIES

I am delighted to report that our recent distribution of mosquito nets, insecticidal coasting and larvicide granules in Moobma Chiefdom is having quite an impact. In January and February last year the number of malaria cases were 302 and 215 respectively. The total number of cases reported in the same months for 2018 are 27 in January and 38 in February. At the time of reporting two zones had not been covered, but now that the rains are abating we can include the areas that were not covered.

PREVENTION FROM MALARIA FOR MOOMBA CHILDREN

More funding is in place to start a malaria prevention programme in Nyawa Chiefdom. Mosquito nets have already been given out, but due to the rainy season the project had to be put on hold. Sadly, Southern Zambia has experienced unprecedented rainfall this season, which has destroyed crops and infrastructure. Once we know that these areas are accessible we will move ahead.

SWAMPS ARE BREEDING GROUNDS FOR MALARIA

Seeing how we have developed so many rural schools is very rewarding, access to education for children in remote areas is essential. We have just completed a classroom block and latrines at Chaba School, classroom blocks are currenly being constructed at Singwamba, a teacher’s house at Bunsanga and a Science Laboratory at River View, keeping our team in Zambia very busy! A special thanks to the British and Foreign School Society, Attraction Tickets Direct, George Spencer Academy and the Hilary and Neil Charitable Trust for supporting our education programmes this year.

BUNSANGA SCHOOL GETS NEW CLASSROOM AND TEACHER’S HOUSE

I will also be distributing much needed text books to Chaba, Mambova and River View Schools, thanks to a donation from Dawson Group and former volunteers. Far too often I see one text book to be shared amongst of class of sixty pupils. Our evaluation shows that exam results are much improved if each pupil has a text book. I will be checking up on all our orphans and as always sourcing new ones and appreciate all the support on this invaluable programme.

OVERCROWDED CLASSROOMS – MAMBOVA SCHOOL

Despite the heavy rains many schools and villages have no access to safe clean water, therefore I shall be looking for new sites after receiving donations for bore holes. Here we take water for granted, but when you see women and children carrying water from bacteria infected streams and swamps it makes you realise how lucky we are. Next to malaria diarrohoeal disease is the greatest cause of deaths in infants.

SAFE DRINKING WATER FOR 560 PUPILS – NGANDU SCHOOL

To further improve health in rural areas a new clinic is under construction at Sikaunswe thanks to grant aid from GOAC. The site will have a main clinic, maternity ward, women’s shelter and latrines. For the Mukuni community I am looking forward to seeing the new houses for widows and the elderly looking after orphans, which have been donated by Motive Real Estate.

nEW HOME FOR WIDOW AND ORPHAN

I shall look forward to giving you updates on my return, in the meantime you can follow my daily posts and see photos from Zambia on Facebook.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

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