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The Butterfly Tree Annual Report and Accounts 2019-2020

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I am pleased to present to you our Annual Report and Accounts, covering the period from the 1st April 2019 to the 31st March 2020. The full report with pictures of our many benefiaries, and accounts can be viewed by clicking on this link.

Throughout the year only 2.64% of total expenditure was spent on expenses, therefore 97.36% went to charitable causes.

Chairman’s Report 

In our 2018-19 Annual Report I stated that the year was one of the best we have ever had. Little did I know that 2019-20, though the most challenging of all years, surpassed anything we have ever done before. The funding we received doubled any previous year thanks to increased donations from both existing and new supporters, and a substantial grant award. More new schools and clinics have been developed, additional boreholes in remote areas have been installed, many more orphans have been supported both at school and college, and for the first time the charity responded to a widespread food crisis to alleviate severe hunger.

JANE WITH VOLUNTEERS EDWIN, PETER, NATASHA, DENNIS AND JAFTER

The worse drought in Zambia for thirty years resulted in dry rivers and streams, and withered crops, leading to famine in some areas. For many years I have worked with communities effected by malaria, HIV and AIDS, but meeting distraught parents who were unable to feed their children was absolutely heart breaking. Thanks to the tremendous response from our donors, grant aid, and fundraising efforts, we supplied ground maize, the staple diet of Zambians, to people in Nyawa, Mukuni, Musokowane and Sekute Chiefdoms. Over 10,000 households were helped and the supply chain continued for an entire year. I am told by our team in Zambia that we saved many lives.

EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF OCTOBER 2019 – MAMBOVA VILLAGE

I have been totally overwhelmed by the tremendous support we received and the efforts made by fundraisers. These include a Great South Run participant who raised money for a borehole, a mother who donated a borehole for her daughter’s first birthday, Inner Wheel and Rotary Clubs raising money for malaria prevention, and a young man who while walking from Porto in Portugal to Santiago in Spain raised funds and awareness of malaria. Churches and schools held fundraisers for education projects, and for bags of maize for the food crisis.

MARTIN WHILE WALKING FROM SPAIN TO PORTUGAL RAISED FUNDS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION

The picture of the young lady on the front cover of the Annual Report is one of the three girls who inspired the founding of The Butterfly Tree. I met Esnart in 2006 when I first visited Mukuni Village. She and her two friends showed me inside their home and it was evident that they lived in extreme poverty. Having sponsored Esnart for the past fourteen years, she completed Mukuni High School, where she was head girl, in December 2019. She gained good results and now aims to train with the Zambian police force.

ANGELA, ESNART AND CYNTHIA WHO INSPIRED THE FOUNDING OF THE CHARITY – MARCH 2006

Education is the key in helping orphans and vulnerable children to overcome poverty in rural areas, where children, especially girls, need to be empowered. This helps them to avoid early marriages and pregnancies. We received a substantial amount of support to enable us to develop and expand schools for children who would not have been able to access education due to distance. River View Secondary School is now our flagship school, after constructing a 1×4 classroom block, science lab, and, most recently, a 1×2 classroom block and two boarding shelters. Due to the location of the school, near to the town of Kazungula, places are in high demand and by the end of 2019 it had an intake of almost 1,600 pupils. A new satellite school has been built to take pupils who were unable to attend and to reduce the class numbers at River View. Kawewa Junior School, also in Sekute Chiefdom, received a 1 x 2 classroom block, desks and toilets.

OUR FLAGSHIP SCHOOL – RIVER VIEW SECONDARY

We continue to sponsor as many orphans as funds permit, in five schools. In addition, seven students are currently attending universities and colleges. Topics include bio-medicine, teaching, journalism and information technology. One student graduated as a teacher this year. Two of our former sponsored orphans are now on The Butterfly Tree team and five others are earning an income building our schools, clinics and houses.

MAFIAN WAS SPONSORED AT SCHOOL AND COLLEGE EARNS AN INCOME BUILDING HOUSES

As always we endeavour to drill boreholes for schools and communities, though water projects almost always come with challenges. Unfortunately, most of the drilling companies will not attempt to go to remote areas where the tracks are uneven and sandy. There is also the risk of hitting dry boreholes. Sadly, after three attempts, no water could be found in Dundumwezi area. However, five were drilled successfully before the rains came with eight more to follow after the rainy season.

BOREHOLE AND HANDPUMP – SENKOBO VILLAGE 2019

Boreholes are not only vital for safe drinking, but in times of drought they are life-saving. During the 2019 drought where streams and, in some areas, rivers, were completely dry, people were travelling up to twenty six kilometres to fetch water. The substantial grant award we received will provide five boreholes for schools, one for a community, and five water systems for school food production units. The new government directive is that all schools must now provide sustainable school gardens to support feeding programmes.

FOOD PRODUCTION UNITS – 10 SCHOOLS TO RECEIVE BOREHOLES AND WATER SYSTEMS

When I visit Zambia it is always so rewarding to see the developments taking shape. A new maternity ward and women’s shelter was added to Simonga Rural Health Centre and I had the pleasure of taking 150 delegates from Blooms the Chemist, Australia, to visit the new buildings which they had funded. It always has more impact when donors can actually see what they have funded, as was the case with the three Belgian lawyers who spent several days with us after raising money for boreholes and food security.

NEW MATERNITY WARD AND WOMEN’S SHELTER – SIMONGA RURAL HEALTH POST

Malaria is still one of the biggest challenges but our mosquito nets for schools is proving to substantially reduce the number of new cases of malaria. Children over the age of five often get left out as priority is given to under-fives. Working with the Ministry of Health helps us to locate areas of high malaria prevalence. We also applied insecticide coating and larvicide in Moomba, Nyawa and Mukuni Chiefdom.

DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – KAMWI JUNIOR SCHOOL

As always we continue to source new areas of need, taking an holistic approach and assessing the most essential basic needs – WATER, FOOD, HEALTH AND EDUCATION. Though education is the way forward and can change a person’s life, when people, through no fault of their own, are suffering from severe water and food shortages, it is not a priority. Fundamental needs for survival are paramount.

BOREHOLE AT SIAZIBOLA VILLAGE PROVIDES SAFE CLEAN WATER

I cannot praise enough our incredible team of Trustees and volunteers both in the UK and Zambia. In the UK, Ann Sutton (Treasurer), Miranda de Freston and Jackie Brown have been instrumental in supporting me, and offering their expertise to the Board. David, Carolyn, Valerie and Leah
are our main volunteers who freely give up their time to help with administration, fundraising and safeguarding. All are invaluable. Our oversees volunteers must not be forgotten – Frank Maiolo (US), Marilee Gibson and Katie Kung (Canada).

THE BUTTERFLY TREE NGO TRUSTEES – PRESLEY, MARTIN AND MUPOTOLA IMPLEMENT AND MANAGE OUR PROJECTS

As for our Zambian team, the four Trustees have been with us since 2006 – Mupotola Siloka (Secretary), 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 (community projects). I am humbled by the work they have done to implement, monitor and manage the projects on the ground. This past year they were given what seemed to be an impossible task, but they went beyond the call of duty to dleiver emergency food relief, covering a vast area, to prevent a famine.

ZAMBIAN TRUSTEE STAIN MUSUNGAILA – MALARIA PREVENTION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

A special thank you to each and every donor that has supported us during this past year. We are especially grateful for the continued support of so many loyal contributors and delighted to welcome new ones who have funded a variety of projects, as well as sponsoring orphans. It is impossible to name everyone, but every donation is equally important to us. Fundraising enables us to sustain the ongoing projects in Zambia, and to initiate new ones with the aim of improvingthe lives of some of the most vulnerable children on the planet.

Once again we are extremely grateful to Grenfell James, Stratford-upon-Avon for freely verifying the charity accounts, which can be viewed on the full Annual Report and Accounts.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

If you wish for further details about The Butterfly Tree or would like to sign up for our secure newsletter please contact me via email: jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

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SCHOOLS REOPEN AND MORE ORPHANS SPONSORED

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After months of staying at home due the coronavirus pandemic, with no laptops or computers to access online education, Zambian children are back in school. From June to late August only examination grades were allowed to attend education facilities, but now under strict safety guidelines schools are operating and the children are eager to learn.

1,500 PUPILS BEING TAUGHT AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

The Butterfly Tree continues to donate soap, hand sanitising gel and disinfectant to schools and clinics. The Zambian government stated that masks are compulsory, and that parents and guardians must provide them. Though they cost only 30p for many parents this is not possible. After a year of drought, followed by COVID-19, which has resulted in the international tourist industry for Livingstone, Victoria Falls and Kazungula, coming to standstill, poverty levels have increased.

MUKUNI PUPILS BEING TAUGHT OUTSIDE TO ALLOW SPACING IN CLASSROOMS

River View, our flagship school has opened its doors to 1,500 pupils and has been highly commended by the Ministries of Health and Education thanks to our support. The new satellite school, opened this year, has enabled more children to access education in Kazungula. Being close to the border to Botswana this area has a high prevalence of HIV – it is imperative that children are education to prevent them being enticed into prostitution and trafficking. It is hoped that the new bridge linking Zambia to Botswana will prevent truck drivers having to stay overnight in Kazungula.

YOUNG GIRLS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE IF NOT EDUCATED

Hunger continues to be an issue therefore we are providing pupils that are boarding at both River View and Mukuni with food. Throughout this challenging year we have ensured that all orphans and vulnerable children, under The Butterfly Tree sponsorship, receive regular bags of maize. Due to the weak economy we can now purchase a bag of maize for just £6.

GIRLS FROM REMOTE VILLAGES BOARDING AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

ORPHAN AT N’GANDU WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER RECEIVES FOOD

I am pleased to say that we are sponsoring more orphans this term, thanks to new sponsors offering support. In addition to Mukuni, children at N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View and Kazungula Boarding School are being helped. The Mukuni Village Trust, Australia provides funds for 45 children. A further 6 students are being sponsored at universities and colleges and a grant from Theirworld has enabled five girls to do a one-year diploma course in Livingstone. Thousands more vulnerable children are gaining a sound education.

ELINA COMPLETED MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL AND NOW ATTENDS COLLEGE

The Butterfly Tree is currently expanded Musokotwane Secondary School with the addition of a 1×3 classroom block, a science lab, boarding houses, and toilets, generously funded by the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation. A new water system for their garden, will provide a sustainable feeding programme for the school.

NEW SOLAR WATER SYSTEM – MUSOKOTWANE SCHOOL

A further five are being funded from a grant award, which we received from Corteva Agriscience, USA. The grant has also helped with food distribution and the installation of six boreholes. Our aim is to help more schools as the food they provide is often the only meal a child will receive.

BOREHOLE DRILLING – MANGA COMMUNITY SCHOOL, NYAWA

Mindful that the demand for donations is escalating everyway I cannot thank enough everyone of our donors who continue to support The Butterfly Tree and some of Zambia’s 1.2 million orphans. Numerous lives have been transformed and these vulnerable children have hope!

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CLEAN WATER AND SCHOOL FOOD PRODUCTION

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Despite the turmoil surrounding us all, The Butterfly Tree continues to initiate and implement new projects in Zambia. I cannot thank enough all the donors that are supporting us through COVID-19, and the trustees and volunteers working tirelessly to help those who are less fortunate than we are.

CHISE WOMEN TAKING VEGETABLES TO SELL AT A MARKET

Last month we successfully drilled four boreholes for remote schools and communities in Nyawa Chiefdom, with seven more scheduled in the next two weeks. The grant award, received earlier this year from Corteva Agriscience, for our Seeds for Life project listed on GlobalGiving, has given a tremendous boost to our food and water projects. The boreholes will be invaluable for school food production and during periods of drought.

BOREHOLE DRILLING FOR CHILEBE SCHOOL & COMMUNITY

The grant is being used to fund a community borehole for a new rural settlement and five for remote schools, which will enable them to advance their vegetable gardens. In the past the World Food Programme has provided daily meals for Zambian schools. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case, and now schools must provide their own sustainable feeding programmes, which is difficult as many pupils are unable to pay school fees due to the high poverty levels.

NGANDU SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMME

Five secondary schools, that already have boreholes, are to be given submersible water pump systems from the grant award funds. The schools can then water their gardens during the dry season, which lasts from April until November. The aim is to provide sufficient food for the pupils with any surplus vegetables being sold to the community. This will generate an income to support orphans and purchase school supplies. The same grant will also pay for seeds and fertiliser for 30 rural schools, creating further sustainability. A submersible pump and water tank for Bunsanga Health Post are also included in the grant funding.

BUNSANGA HEALTH POST BUILD IN 2020

Development is well underway at Musokotwane Secondary School. A substantial donation for the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation includes the construction of a 1×3 classroom block, a science laboratory, two boarding shelters and toilets, as well as a water system for their school garden. Once complete this school will accommodate over 1,000 pupils.

MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL EXPANSION WILL PROVIDE IMPROVED FACILITIES

A new directive, which puts a further burden on schools, is that they must provide their own text books. With classes ranging from 50 to 110 pupils I frequently see entire groups sharing as few as two textbooks. Thanks to recent donations five schools are to receive textbooks this month.

NGANDU SCHOOL HAS A SHORTAGE OF TEXT BOOKS

We will shortly be distributing mosquito nets in three schools, where there is a high prelavence of malaria, thanks to a generous donation from Nick Bousliman. According to a study ‘Imperial College London’s Covid-19 Response Team estimates that malaria deaths could more than double in 2020 compared with 2019 if the distribution of 228 million mosquito nets, for sub-Sahara Africa, is disrupted.’ Again we will target Moomba Chiefdom, where we aim to provide a universal coverage, funded by the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs. In addition to mosquito nets insecticidal coating will be applied to each dwelling, and larvicide granules will be placed in ponds and streams to prevent the larvae developing into mosquitos.

PUPILS AT KAMWI JUNIOR SCHOOL RECEIVE MOSQUITO NETS

Food shortages continue to effect communities, such as Mukuni Village, that are dependent on the tourism industry. A successful fundraiser, held by the Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge, has provided 1,000 bags of maize. A further 300 bags have been given to the orphans and vulnerable children that are being sponsored by The Butterfly Tree.

1,000 BAGS OF MAIZE FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE – MUKUNI VILLAGE

As always we are mindful of the coronavirus pandemic and will ensure that our volunteers and beneficiaries are being protected and not taking any unnecessary risks. Some of the above photographs were taken prior to COVID-19.

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VOLUNTEERING ABROAD SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

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I am thrilled to announce that The Butterfly Tree is the winner for ‘Volunteering Abroad Specialist of the year 2020‘ for United Kingdom, at the Travel & Hospitality Awards. Every year the charity attracts volunteers, donors and visitors from all over the world to help with our fundamental projects in Zambia.

JANE WITH KATIE, FOUNDER OF COPPER ROOT COLLECTIVES

This is an amazing accolade to receive and I would like to dedicate this award to our local team, without them none of this could happen. If I am not in Zambia Mupotola, Martin, Presley and Natasha look after the volunteers and visitors, and organise volunteering experiences for them.

PRESLEY, MARTIN AND MUPOTOLA – OUR ZAMBIAN TRUSTEES

The activities range from helping to build or restore classroom blocks, community houses or health centres. Nurses, doctors and medical personnel work alongside local health practitioners, and teachers and students volunteer in rural schools. For many this is a life-changing experience. Two of our UK trustees and two volunteers joined The Butterfly Tree after visiting and volunteering in Zambia.

BELGIAN LAWYERS FOR AFRICA DONATING MAIZE AND BOREHOLES – OCTOBER 2019

I am currently working with tourism consultants to see how we can improve the tourism experiences to Mukuni Village and the Victoria Falls, looking at ways to attract more tourists and generate employment once the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER AS IT APPROACHES THE VICTORIA FALLS

With all the news surrounding COVID-19 I am pleased to say that the charity is doing really well. Our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, has approved a grant application for an ambitious project for 200 women in Musokotwane and surrounding villages. This will be based on products from mango trees, that grow profusely in rural areas. It will provide extra nutrition during the dry season and a sustainable income-generating activity for these women to support their families.

200 WOMEN IN MUSOKOTWANE HAVE A NEW PROJECT TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Copper Root Collective, another Canadian partner, has donated funds for a borehole to be installed for the above women’s project. We are currently engaging drilling companies for a further 7 boreholes for schools and communities.

BOREHOLE AT MUKALAHANI VILLAGE – DONATED BY COPPER ROOT COLLECTIVES

The maternity ward and mother’s shelter built last year in Simonga Village will receive further donations from Blooms The Chemist, Australia. This will include water improvements, more equipment and a monthly allowance for supplies. Posworks, Australia, recently donated an ultra-sound scanning system – an invaluable addition to this facility.

MATERNITY WARD – SIMONGA VILLAGE

On the 22nd June The Choirs of Pembroke College, Cambridge held a spectacular 24-hour fundraiser for Mukuni Village, entitled Bach-for-Zambia. The organiser, Anna Lapwood, staged amazing virtual organ recitals with world-class organists participating from around the globe. The videos can be seen on the YouTube Channel. The funds will provide maize for the Mukuni people who have no income due to the impact of COVID-19 on tourism.

VIRTUAL BACH FOR ZAMBIA FUNDRAISER 60 PARTICIPANTS, INCLUDING SOME OF THE TOP ORGANISTS

Due to the food shortages we have donated a further 300 bags for all the orphans and vulnerable children on our orphan sponsorship programme. Grades 7, 9 and 12 are now attending school after we donated the required protection. My apologies for the delay in sending out details of new orphans and updates on existing ones on the programme. Our priority is to ensure they have food and safety during these challenging times.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION TO ORPHANS – MUKUNI VILLAGE

More donations have come in from Inner Wheels Clubs from all over Great Britain and Ireland, for our vital malaria prevention prgramme. We are grateful to have been chosen to work with the Association, along with Medical Aids Films, for a second year.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support our vital projects in Zambia and all the new offers recently received. The support has been both humbling and overwhelming.

Jane Kaye-Bailey (Founder)

 

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THE BUTTERFLY TREE CHARITY

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The Butterfly Tree is a non-political, non-government organisation registered in the UK and Zambia. We promote equality. We do not discriminate against people on grounds of sex, race, disability or religion.

FOUNDER JANE KAYE-BAILEY WITH MEMBERS OF THE ZAMBIAN NGO

All the projects we raise money for are to help vulnerable children and rural communities in Zambia. We support children and adults with intellectual impairment, disabilities, those living with HIV, those from different tribal and religious backgrounds.

MUKUNI SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM FUNDED BY THE CHARITY

Our first involvement in 2006 was with Mukuni Village, where the Toka Leya people have lived, close to the mighty Victoria Falls, for several hundred years. We have since expanded our work throughout the Southern Province, mainly in the Kazumgula District, where you find the Toka leya, Lozi, and Tonga tribes living in harmony.

THE TOKA LEYA PEOPLE – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Due to falling copper prices, a recent drought and tourism at a standstill due to COVID-19, the Zambian economy is weak. Sadly many people rely on international aid. Thanks to the significant support we have received more children have access to safe clean water, feeding programmes, better healthcare and advanced education. The Butterfly Tree is the biggest contributor to education in the Kazungula District.

Last week schools in Zambia reopened for grades 7, 9 and 12. Pupils will sit their all-important examinations later in the year. We have provided protection for 21 schools in the District. The newly build satallite school, funded by the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Trust, has helped to provide extra space for 408 pupils at River View School to follow social distancing. In recent years River View has been transformed from a community school to a secondary schools with 1,600 pupils.

RIVER VIEW CLASSROOM DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

This month we aim to install at least ten boreholes for remote schools and communities that do not have access to safe clean drinking water. It is now the dry season and no rain is expected until November. Besides providing drinking water the boreholes enable schools and rural people to grow vegetables for home consumption and to sell in markets.

ZALU BOREHOLE USED BY THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY

In addition, we will be adding six water reticulation systems for the bigger schools to have income-generating enterprises as well as providing feeding programmes. The grant award, which we received from Corteva Agriscience earlier this year, has greatly boosted our food and water projects.

WATER SYSTEM AND FEEDING PROGRAMME – NGANDU SCHOOL

With COVID-19 attributing to the increase in poverty, most especially for those communities close to Livingstone and the Victoria Falls, we are working with tourism consultants to find solutions to improve the tourism experiences in the area. Our aim is to create community lead initiatives for youths who have completed school. A grant received from TheirWorld has offered an opportunity for five young women to be trained in hotel management, catering and tourism.

Our malaria prevention programme has received substantial support from numerous Inner Wheel Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland thanks to the Chairman of their International Service Committee selecting The Butterfly Tree and Medical Film Aids as her charities of the year. We are absolutley delighted that this will continue for a second year.

We are very grateful to everyone for the tremendous support during this very difficult time. The global demand is greater than ever – we will endeavour to reach out to those most in need with the funds we receive.

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FUNDRAISING SUCCESS TO SUPPORT COVID-19 IN ZAMBIA

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I am pleased to report that despite the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic our new financial year has got off to a positive start. This is mostly thanks to the continual support of our loyal donors and the success of the 2.6 challenge.

LUCY RAN UP AND DOWN A HILL 26 TIMES

The 2.6 Challenge, which took place on the 24th April was very well supported even though we had only one week to prepare. The Trustees, Jackie, myself and Miranda, with her entire family, all did activities. While Ann managed her 91- year old mother Kathleen’s activity, walking up and down the garden 26 times, which raised a substantial amount of money.

KATHLEEN RAISED SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT

Most of our volunteers took part, Carolyn kindly held free visual exercise classes, asking people to donate. 24 people participated, several of them donors, including the entire Murphy family! My young neighbours, age 6 and 9, heroically cycled 26 kms. Some people walked 2.6 miles and 5.2 miles, others ran up and down steps 26 times, danced to the song ‘Happy’ 26 times, and a 2.6 minute headstand.

TOBY AND ALEX CYCLED 26 KMS WITH THEIR PARENTS

A huge thanks to everyone who took part, to our donors, and the new ones we gathered along the way! The funds raised are being used to support Zambia through the Covid-19 pandemic. Much of it will provide soap, buckets with taps, bowls, hand sanitising gel and disinfectant for schools. Pupils in grades 7, 9 and 12 who are sitting examinations later this year are to return to school on the 1st June.

SCHOOLS ARE TO BE PROVIDED WITH PROTECTION

Fifteen schools are being helped, funds for six of these are from the ATD Foundation. There are 70 schools in the Kazungula District, therefore we are seeking further support as they are not permitted to open without adequate protection for pupils and teachers. We are also providing rural health centres with PPE equipment as the only form of protection medical workers have are gloves. Thanks to our Canadian partner, Give A Hand, and other donors we are offering support to some 60 rural clinics.

PROTECTION FOR RURAL SCHOOLS AND CLINICS

Two of the youths that were on The Butterfly Tree orphan sponsorship programme are producing masks to donate to schools and communities, thanks to a donation from Copper Root Collectives. Alfred and Natasha, both tailors, are making medically designed masks out of colourful cotton chitengi material.

MEDICALLY APPROVED MASKS MADE IN MUKUNI VILLAGE

Food distributions continue as those recovering from the severe drought now find themselves with no work. Like everywhere, the tourism industry in Livingstone and the Victoria Falls has come to a standstill due to COVID-19. Mukuni Village is struggling badly, as the cultural tours have stopped and those working in hotels and tourism activities have been laid off with no pay.

DONATIONS OF MAIZE GIVEN TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

To date there are around 1,000 cases of COVID-19 mostly in Lusaka and border towns. Zambia has eight borders, which makes in difficult when truck drivers are passing through daily. However, the Ministry of Health is testing the drivers and if found to be positive they must go to a designated quarantine area. It is hoped that the rural areas will be less affected.

COVID-19 IS LESS LIKELY TO SPREAD TO REMOTE VILLAGES

In the coming month we hope to resume our construction projects starting with the Secondary School at Musokotwane, funded by a substantial donation from the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation, and the community shop in Mukuni, which will be used for uniform making and selling.

SCHOOL EXAMINATION GRADE TO OPEN ON JUNE 1ST

The beekeeping project at Muyunda, funded by Give a Hand, is progressing well and training will start as soon as it is safe to do so. The drilling companies have started working again, a borehole will be added for the beekeepers and seven more are to be drilled for schools and communities throughout the Kazungula District. In addition Bunsanga Health Post and five schools will receive water reticulation systems, thanks to the grant award from Corteva.

200 HIVES FOR MUYUNDA WOMEN’S BEEKEEPING PROJECT

All of us are being affected in one way or another by this overwhelming pandemic and we fully realise that there is so much need in our own countries. However, I am overwhelmed by the continual support from our donors and cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Though we may raise less money for projects this coming year, The Butterfly Tree will continue operating as normal as we have no salaries, office rent or overheads to cover.

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WORLD MALARIA DAY – 25th APRIL 2020

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Today marks World Malaria Day. The World Health Organisation in partnership with Roll Back Malaria is promoting a grassroots campaign called ‘Zero malaria starts with me.‘

The Butterfly Tree has been providing support to Zambia for malaria prevention since 2007, offering interventions that are proving to reduce the number of cases of malaria and helping to save lives.

With the current COVID-19 global pandemic malaria must not be overlooked. In 2018 there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria and 405,000 deaths, down from 416,000 in 2017, showing that interventions are working. Sadly, 67% of deaths were children under the age of five.

CHILDREN UNDER FIVE ARE AT MOST RISK OF CONTRACTING MALARIA

Thanks to the tremendous support we have received The Butterfly Tree now has malaria prevention programmes in Mukuni, Nyawa, Sekute and Moomba Chiefdoms. We provide universal coverage with the use on mosquito nets, a safe insecticidal coating, which is painted inside dwellings and larvicide. The latter when placed in ponds and streams prevents larva from developing into mosquitos.

HOUSES PAINTED INSIDE WITH SAFE INSECTICIDAL COATING

Our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ programme is helping to provide protection for children above five years, as this age group rarely get protected. Every pupils and teacher is given a mosquito net and monitoring takes place. To date we have donated nets to thousands of children at River View, Sikaunzwe, Kauwe, Kamwi, Chuunga and Mambova Schools. We are very grateful to The Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation, GOAC, Inner Wheel Clubs and most recently Royal Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon Rotary Clubs.

MAMBOVA SCHOOL – SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

We are delighted to announce that the International Service Committee Chairman for Inner Wheel Clubs of Great Britain and Ireland, for the the second year running, is supporting malaria prevention, in partnership with The Butterfly Tree and Medical Film Aids. This will considerably help us to expand our vital work in Zambia.

Tomorrow we are taking part in the 2.6 Challenge to raise funds for all of our projects, including malaria prevention. Details can be found on this link. Thank you to everyone who has offered to do a challenge and to those who have sent in donations. Any support will be greatly appreciated!

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OUR MOST SUCCESSFUL YEAR

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Amid the alarming, shocking and disturbing daily news due to the COVID-19 global pandemic I would like to bring you some good news. Yesterday we completed another financial year for The Butterfly Tree, and I am delighted to inform you that 2019-20 was by far the best year since the founding of the charity in 2006. We not only doubled last year’s donations but completed more projects than ever before, as well as providing emergency food relief to thousands of people affected by Zambia’s worst drought in 30 years.

1X2 CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

In the next couple of months we aim to publish our annual report and accounts. In the meantime, these are some of the many projects your generous donations and grants enabled us to do.

  • Science lab – Nyawa Secondary School
  • 1×2 classroom block – Muyunda Community School
  • 1×2 classroom block and latrines – Kawewa Junior School
  • New satellite junior school – Kazungula
  • 1×2 classroom block & 2 boarding houses – River View Secondary School
  • Boarding house for girls – Mukuni Secondary School
  • New health post and staff house – Bunsanga
  • Maternity ward and mother’s shelter – Simonga health post
  • Beekeeping project for 200 women in Muyunda
  • Farm project – Nakawa pre-school
  • Funding for 11 boreholes
  • Construction of 22 community houses
  • Sponsorship of hundreds or orphans at schools and colleges
  • Distribution of several thousand mosquito nets
  • Insecticidal coating and larviciding for malaria prevention
  • Food distribution to some 10,000 households

NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL – MUYUNDA

We cannot express enough how grateful we are for your tremendous support that has enabled us to achieve so much. Every donor large and small has contributed to the ongoing success of The Butterfly Tree.

BOARDING HOUSE FOR GIRLS – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

SAFE WATER – SENKOBO COMMUNITY

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE – BUNSANGA

Now as we start the new financial year, we face the biggest crisis of our time. Everyone, no matter what race or religion, is impacted by CORVID-19. We appreciate that some of you may not be able to continue your support, and for those who can we want you to know that we will protect our Trustees and volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, as well as our beneficiaries, to the best of our ability.

THE BUTTERFLY TREE VOLUNTEER PEER EDUCATORS

CORVID-19 has reached Zambia, as of today there are 36 known cases. At the weekend we started an awareness campaign to circulate details of the pandemic and advice or how to prevent contracting it. This is mainly to target remote communities who may not have heard of the coronavirus, due to having no mobile phones or internet access.

BEEKEEPING PROJECT FOR 200 WOMEN – MUYUNDA

In the past few days we have also raised money to purchase soap, hand sanitizing gel, disinfectant and masks for rural health centres and their medical staff after being told that they had no form of protection. As of today we have raised enough funds to support 30 clinics.

MATERNITY WARD AND MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIMONGA

Though our work stretches throughout the Kazungula and Kalomo Districts, many of our projects in rural areas are close to the Victoria Falls and Livingstone. The people in Mukuni and neighbouring villages rely heavily on tourism for their income. As is the case throughout the world the tourist industry is at a standstill. In Mukuni everyone who works at lodges, hotels, activity centres and curio markets has been laid off. Just when people had started to recover from the drought, CORVID-19 emerged, further burdening these vulnerable communities.

MUKUNI CURIO MARKET – VICTORIA FALLS

To help those most in need we will continue our appeal for the food crisis and while most other projects are on hold, food distribution will continue, ensuring that our volunteers are protected. A bag of maize costs £10 and will feed a family of four for one month. Donations can be made online using this link or directly to our The Butterfly Tree bank account, please email jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk for details.

Our thoughts are will all of you and pray that you keep safe and well.

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ZAMBIA UPDATE ON COVID-19

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On the 18th March Zambia’s Ministry of Health, confirmed its first two cases of COVID-19. A couple that travelled to France on holiday have contracted the virus.

We will do everything to protect our local Trustees and volunteers, and communities where we work. Two thirds of Zambians live on less than £1 a day and will not be able to afford to buy soap, toilet paper or stockpile food.

We need donations to provide them with food and soap in preparation for the spread of COVID-19.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION – MAMBOVA VILLAGE, SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

It appears that there are many young people are not taking the pandemic seriously enough. You may have already seen this appeal, which was announced yesterday by the World Health Organisation – I urge you to circulate amongst your family and friends.

WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION COVID-19

GENEVA (AFP) – The head of the World Health Organisation on Friday (March 20) warned young people they were “not invincible” against the coronavirus pandemic, and said their self-restraint could save the lives of older people.

“Today, I have a message for young people: you are not invincible. This virus could put you in hospital for weeks – or even kill you,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a virtual press conference in Geneva.

“Even if you don’t get sick, the choices you make about where you go could be the difference between life and death for someone else.”

Two thirds of Zambians live on less than £1 per day and will not be able to afford to buy soap, toilet paper or stockpile food. We will do everything to protect our local Trustees and volunteers, and communities where we work, but need more donations to provide them with food and soap.

A bag of maize costs £10 and will feed a family of four for one month. £1 will buy two bars of soap.

If you are able to offer any support please click on this link.

CHILDREN IN JAFTER VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

We are posting daily updates on The Butterfly Tree’s Facebook page.

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CORVID-19 AND BOOST TO DONATIONS

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Today the Ministry of Health in Zambia held a national news conference, declaring that there have been no reported cases of Corvid-19, though it is imminent. Strict rules and guidelines have been put in place for travellers, schools and colleges, and many other areas. As of Friday this week all schools and colleges will be closed, giving the health workers time to educate the teachers, pupils and students about the coronavirus. 

As regards The Butterfly Tree the following measures have been applied:

  • The running of the UK charity will continue as normal as all the Trustees and volunteers work from their own homes
  • Fundraising will continue – many people are still suffering from the affects of the drought
  • Food will be distributed and assistance given to rural health posts during the pandemic
  • We are doing everything we can to support our Zambia Trustees and volunteers, supplying them with hand sanitizers and soap, and giving them daily updates
  • As of the 14th March all international travellers will no longer be able to visit, or volunteer for The Butterfly Tree’s projects in Zambia, before May, this will then be reviewed
  • We have asked our local team to limit their movements in Livingstone with it being an international tourist destination and a border to Zimbabwe
  • Projects that are ongoing or under construction will be limited unless essential, such as food distribution and healthcare
  • All of the above we be reviewed on a daily basis

Every single one of us, no matter where we come from or live, is impacted by this global pandemic. Therefore it is imperative that we adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the experts and to not be complacent. Being extra cautious not only helps to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19, but increases the chance of contolling the pandemic.

PROJECTS

On a happier note I am pleased to say that this month The Butterfly Tree has received two substantial donations. Firstly, we have been awarded a sizeable grant from Corteva Agriscience, a global American company for our ‘Seeds for Life‘ project, which is listed on GlobalGiving, one of our online partner platforms. This facility is used to raise money for our food and water projects.

FOOD SECURITY IS ESSENTIAL FOR SCHOOLS

The grant will enable us to increase the number of school gardens we support, to create sustainable feeding programmes and to raise money by selling produce to generate income. Five schools with large numbers of pupils will be given water reticulation systems. We will also be adding more boreholes to schools that have no access to safe water.

WATER SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS ARE VITAL DURING THE DRY SEASON

This grant will also help to provide further food distributions for the most vulnerable people who are still suffering from hunger from the severe drought. Though it is now the rainy season it will be sometime before crops can be harvested. Once COVID-19 hits Zambia, people in remote villages will be in need of further support.

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE – BUNSANGA SCHOOL, FEBRUARY 2020

Community projects, such as the beekeeping project at Muyunda, thanks to a generous grant from Give a Hand, Canada received recently received, will help communities to become more sustainable. The bees are now in the hives and progress is being made. 200 women are involved in the project, which will produce wild honey – the wax will be used to make soap, candles and crayons.

1 OF THE 200 HIVES FOR THE MUYUNDA WOMEN’S PROJECT

Once again we are extremely grateful to The Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Foundation for their considerable grant to advance Musokotwane Secondary School in the Kazungula District. The funds will be used to construct a 1×3 classroom block, two boarding houses, 4 toilets, and a water system and seeds for their school garden.

ADVANCEMENT FOR PUPILS AT MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL

These are extremely uncertain times for all of us, we have to take care of ourselves and continue to help those most in need. We must never lose the hope that we will get through this unprecedented global crisis.