SUCCESS, SUSTAINABILITY AND FOOD SECURITY

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I have just returned from Zambia after a very successful and rewarding trip visiting orphans, distributing food and sourcing new projects. I am delighted to report that the drought has broken and though there are still food shortages, there is now a great deal of hope!

WATER FLOWING ABUNDANTLY OVER THE MIGHTY VISTORIA FALLS

The first week was spent delivering bags of maize to people in remote villagers who have been living on wild fruits and roots. Sadly, deaths have been reported due to hunger, and from people eating poisonous fruits and roots. Some crops, which were planted early, are failing as the rainy season came very late. However, those that were planted later in the season are flourishing and should soon be ready to harvest.

HEALTHY MAIZE CROP – MUSOKOTWANE CHIEFDOM

It was wonderful to see the lush green vegetation after the long dry spell. Driving to Bunsanga, in Nyawa Chiefdom, it was noticeable that people are still suffering. We met four men who were droving their cattle 65 km to the abattoir to get money to feed their children. Cattle are prize possessions, kept to provide funds for college fees or other important matters. These men had not eaten for two days – we happily shared our food with them and other people along the way.

WALKING 65KM TO SELL THEIR CATTLE – NYAWA CHIEFDOM

On arrival in Bunsanga we inspected the newly finished health post and staff house, funded by grant aid from GOAC, and a borehole. The Ministry of Health has appointed an experienced nurse, who will be assisted by trained community health workers. The facility will provide antenatal, postnatal, and under-five’s clinics, vaccinations, and general practice. 1,000 mosquito nets were included in the grant for the clinic and towards our ‘nets for schools‘ programme. Bunsanga, Malimba and Chilaba schools are the beneficiaries.

NEW HEALTH POST – BUNSANGA, NYAWA CHIEFDOM

Later in the week dozens of people came on bicycles from Chuunga Village, 40km from Mukuni, to collect bags of maize. Despite the difficult journey over rough terrain everyone was overjoyed to receive our donation. A further distribution also took place in several villages in Sekute Chiefdom, where families told us they had not eaten a proper meal for two months.

COLLECTING BAGS OF MAIZE FOR MUKALAHANI VILLAGE

For the past few days we have been working with Khalsa Aid International, a UK charity that specialises in emergency relief. After appealing to the organisation they generously agreed to offer support to some of the hardest-hit areas, where we work, in Nyawa Chiefdom. The food parcels were given to several thousand households, with two of our Zambian volunteers helping with logistics and, providing assistance.

KHALSA AID EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF – KATONDO SCHOOL, NYAWA CHIEFDOM

Much of my time in Zambia was spent meeting the orphans we are supporting, mainly at Mukuni, Kamwi, Ngandu and River View Schools. This past year our priority has been to ensure that they all have food as many of them live alone or with elderly grandparents. The new school year commenced in January and some of the orphans progressed to grades 8 and 10 after sitting exams. Unfortunately, some failed and will re-sit their exams later in the year. The drought has worsened the poverty in most areas and many parents have been unable to enrol their children in school this year. However, we recently had an increase in people wanting to sponsor orphans, subsequently we will continue to include all children that are vulnerable.

MUKUNI ORPHANS WITH NATASHA, A FORMER SPONSORED ORPHAN, WHO OVERSEES THE PROGRAMME

More children in Kazungula will shortly be able to attend school. Since our involvement at River View School the enrolment is now 1,600 pupils. The facility in Kazungula, the only township where we have a project, cannot take any more pupils. The new satellite school, funded by the Hilary and Neil Charitable Foundation, is almost complete and will take the overflow from the lower grades as well as children who have never been to school. The boarding shelters, funded by the same donors, accommodates over 40 pupils from outreach villages.

GIRLS FROM OUTREACH VILLAGES BOARDING AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL – SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

Twenty houses for orphans, disabled people and the elderly are currently being constructed by our youth builders thanks to a donation from Motive Real Estate, Texas. Funds have been donated to build a shop/workroom for uniform-making in Mukuni Village and five girls are to attend college from grant aid received from TheirWorld.

NEW HOME FOR DISABLED MAN – DAMBWA VILLAGE

OLD HOME FOR DISABLED MAN – DAMBWA VILLAGE

Despite all the challenges I cannot stress enough how vital your support has been and how it helping to transform lives. The appreciation shown by the communities during the emergency food relief has been overwhelming. Our Zambian volunteers have worked tirelessly to get food to some of the remotest villages in the Kazungula and Kalomo Districts. Thousands of children are receiving advanced education where previously they were taught in a mud and pole schools by untrained teachers. Healthcare has also been improved at Simonga Village thanks to the addition of a maternity ward and mother’s shelter, funded by Blooms the Chemist, Australia.

MATERNITY WARD AND MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIMONGA VILLAGE, SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

Our aim for the coming months is to provide food security for schools and communities, install more boreholes and expand educational facilities in rural areas. Thank you to everyone who has supported The Butterfly Tree.

Jane Kaye-Bailey – Founder

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2020

Posted on December 31, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

2019 has been the most successful year in the history of The Butterfly Tree. We have built and developed more schools, health facilities, community houses and drilled more boreholes than ever before. In addition we are helping with emergency relief to distribute food to thousands of people suffering from the severe drought in Southern Province of Zambia.

In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 1-6 the following health projects were completed:

Bunsanga – new health post, staff house, latrines and borehole
Simonga – maternity ward and mother’s shelter
Kamwi, Chuunga, Mambova and Kawewa schools provided with mosquito nets
Singwamba received insecticidal coating and larviciding for malaria prevention
Medical supplies were donated to rural health centres and Livingstone hospital

SIMONGA RURAL HEALTH POST EXPANSION

Water projects – boreholes

Chuunga, Senkobo, Siamkoma, Siazibola communities and Bunsanga health post
Muyunda, Chilaba, Malimba schools – with five more scheduled this month

SENKOBO COMMUNITY BOREHOLE

School developments

Nyawa – new science laboratory
Muyunda – classroom block, latrines and borehole
Nakawa pre-school classroom block and latrines
River View – new classroom block and two boarding houses
Kawewa – new classroom block and latrines
Bunsanga – latrines added to complete new school
Mukuni – new boarding house for girls
Kazungula – satellite school under construction
Donations of books, educational supplies, sports and sports funding

TWO NEW BOARDING HOUSES – RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

Orphan sponsorship

Sponsor of 250 orphans at Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View and boarding schools
Further education – 9 students studying Bio-medicine, teaching, journalism and information technology

SPONSORED ORPHANS RECEIVE MOSQUITO NETS – KAMWI VILLAGE

Community projects

Mukuni, Kamwi and Dambwa – 10 houses were built for orphans and the eldery
Muyunda – beekeeping for 200 women
Kamwi – chicken project for women
Mukalahani – handwashing project

BEEKEEPING PROJECT – MUYUNDA VILLAGE

On behalf of The Butterfly Tree in the UK and Zambia I would like to say a huge thanks to all our donors, fundraisers and volunteers for making this happen, and to wish everyone peace, good health and much happiness in 2020.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

THOUSANDS MORE VULNERABLE CHILDREN HAVE IMPROVED EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

Posted on December 12, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The law in the United Kingdom states that full time education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16, the compulsory school age. In England, compulsory education or training has been extended to 18 for those born on or after 1 September 1997. All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school.

I have always believed that ‘every child has a right to education.’ After working in the rural areas of Zambia for almost fourteen years it is apparent that there are still far too many children unable to attend school, despite education being free up to grade seven. From grade eight upwards school and examination fees are required, as well as uniforms, shoes, books and educational materials.

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER SECONDARY SCHOOL, SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

In many areas of the Kazungula District I observe children being taught in traditional dwellings with only an untrained teacher from the community attempting to teach them the curriculum. Since 2006 we have built entire new schools, and expanded others, for one sole purpose – to provide advanced educational facilities for orphans and vulnerable children living in one of the poorest countries in the world.

COMMUNITY SCHOOL – MUYUNDA, NYAWA CHIEFDOM

The Zambian school year has just ended – throughout 2019 The Butterfly Tree constructed and developed more rural schools than ever before. According to the Ministry of Education we are the biggest contributor to education in the entire Kazungula District. The following projects have now been completed.

River View Secondary School – addition of 1×2 classroom block & 2 boarding houses
Muyunda – new community school, classroom block, borehole and latrines
Nyawa Secondary School – addition of a science lab
Nakawa Pre-school – complete facility for early learners – borehole, classroom and latrines
Kawewa Primary School – 1×2 classroom block and latrines
Mukuni Secondary School – addition of a boarding house
Bunsanga Community School – addition of latrines complete the school

MUYUNDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL – NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK, BOREHOLE AND LATRINES

The two boarding houses at River View, and one at Mukuni, will allow more pupils from outreach villages to attend high school. We have also donated numerous desks, textbooks, equipment and much more. Chilaba school received a borehole with funding in place to provide clean water for four more schools.

SPONSORED PUPILS HAVE A NEW BOARDING HOUSE – MUKUNI SECONDARY SCHOOL

In addition, we are sponsoring some 250 orphans from six schools, more grade 12 pupils completed school this month. We have funded nine students at colleges and universities – Esther and Lillian gained their teaching certificates. Four sponsored youths are now certified builders and have constructed the above boarding houses and latrines. Natasha, previously on sponsorship, is a main member of The Butterfly Tree team and runs the orphan sponsorship programme.

EDWIN, PETER, DENNIS AND JAFTER – TRAINED AS PEER EDUCATORS AND BUILDERS WITH NATASHA

Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, our aim for 2020 is to build and expand more rural schools – construction is underway for a new satellite school close to River View. With 1,500 the school are unable to increase their enrolment, and 280 more pupils need accommodating!

Our Christmas Fundraising Appeal will continue until the end of December, raising money to buy bags of maize for orphans and vulnerable people suffering from the severe drought, which has now developed into a famine in many rural areas. We continue to distribute maize to remote areas and hope to gain more donations during this month.

A bag of maize costs just £9 and will feed a family of four for one month. The sales from our charity calendars, costing £4, will also go to this appeal. My sincere thanks to everyone who has already supported our appeal and for those of you wishing to make a donation please use this link to donate.

Jane Kaye-Bailey (Founder)

CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISING APPEAL – FOOD CRISIS

Posted on November 21, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

With just over one month until December 25th, the shops are laden with Christmas merchandise, and festivity planning is underway. It is during this period that charities welcome extra funding and this year The Butterfly Tree is running an appeal for the continued food crisis is Southern and Western Zambia.

Thankfully the rains have started, now people are preparing the fields to plant crops, but it will be some months before harvest. After last season’s poor rains when crops throughout the entire region perished, there is a great deal of hunger. Some communities are living on local fruits and wild roots, though the latter can be poisonous, resulting in some children being hospitalized after eating them.

Heartbreaking stories are emerging. In the remote area of Dundumwezi two women have lost their lives after giving birth. Having no food of their own they appealed to neighbours who were unable to help them as they were in the same situation. In another area an old lady passed away as she had no one to provide her with food.

Since April The Butterfly Tree has been distributing thousands of bags of maize to people in remote areas of the Kazungula District, who are in desperate need. If we can continue this for the next few months more lives can be saved. We cannot help everyone, but we are certainly preventing a famine in communities where we work.

The resilience of these people is truly remarkable. Last week one woman with four young children, after hearing we were distributing maize in Muyunda, walked 15km – unfortunately, she was too late. Not to be deterred she visited one of our volunteers who was able to give her a bag of maize. Happily, she placed it on top of her head then walked the 15km back to her village, with her offspring!

I cannot praise our Zambian volunteers enough – they are outstanding! The whole operation is being impleted with precision and transparency. Headmen are called upon to select the most needy, including orphans and the elderly. Maize is ordered, sometimes we are only allocated 200 or 300 bags, per day, due to the high demand and load-shedding. Transport is arranged, then distribution points are selected, schools being the main locations as they have secure storage rooms.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported our appeal, most especially GOAC for approving an Emergency Relief Grant, the Hilary and Neil Murphy Charitable Trust and the ATD Foundation, and everyone else who has shared our concern and offered support.

A bag of maize costs just £9 and will feed a family of four for one month. If you would like to donate please use our donate page. In addition sales of our charity desk top calendars will be used for the food crisis. Each page of the calendar is sponsored and costs £4. 100% of all money raised will go directy to the cause. We would like to thank the following sponsoring the pages : Touch Gold Racing, Grenfell James, Dawson Group, The Fell Group, Casa Colomba, Zebra Accounting, St Matthews, Stuart Rivers, 2OC, Vectorcide International, Britelines and Miranda are Morphity for once again designing the calendars. Email jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk to place an order.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM ZAMBIA

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

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

THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER

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

NGWEZI RIVER, NYAWA CHIEFDOM

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

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

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

BELGIAN LAWYERS FOR AFRICA DONATE MAIZE IN JAFUTA VILLAGE

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

DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE – BUNSANGA COMMUNITY

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

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

NEW 1 X 2 CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

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

Jane Kaye-Bailey – Founder

CLEAN WATER AND FOOD SECURITY

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

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

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

DRY STREAM AND RIVERS ARE A COMMON SITE

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

COLLECTING CLEAN DRINKING WATER – ZALU COMMUNITY SCHOOL

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

SOURCING DRINKING WATER – SIMUKOMA VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

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

SCHOOL GARDENS TO SUPPORT FEEDING PROGRAMMES – N’GANDU

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

BAGS OF ROLLER MEAL DONATION – KAMWI VILLAGE

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

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

THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

Posted on September 9, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

Please click on the link below:

The Butterfly Tree – Annual Report and Accounts 2018 -19

In summary:

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

SCIENCE LABORATORY AND EXAMINATION CENTRE – RIVER VIEW

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

AIDEX INNOVATION CHALLENGE – RUNNER-UP

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

SPONSORED ORPHANS – KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL

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

SCIENCE LESSONS – RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL

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

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK UNDER CONSTRUCTION – KAWEWA PRIMARY SCHOOL

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

RURAL HEALTH CENTRE EXPANSION – SIKAUNZWE

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

BOREHOLE DRILLING – MUKALAHANI VILLAGE

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

COMMUNITY HOUSE BUILDING – MUKUNI VILLAGE

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

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

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

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

THE BUTTERFLY TREE NGO TRUSTEES – PRESLEY, MARTIN AND MUPOTOLA

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

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

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

The Butterfly Tree – Annual Report and Accounts 2018 -19

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 2019

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

ELVIS & VINCENT, SUPPORTED SINCE LOSING THEIR MOTHER DURING CHILDBIRTH

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

THE CHARITY PROVIDES FUNDS TO IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH FACILITIES

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

NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK FOR MUYUNDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL

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

SEVEN MORE HOUSES FOR WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

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

RIVER VIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL – KAZUNGULA

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

INVALUABLE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAMMES

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

EIGHT BOREHOLES TO BE DRILLED TO HELP WITH WATER SHORTAGES

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

DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – CHUUNGA VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

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

ZERO CASES OF MALARIA RECORDED IN NYAWA VILLAGES

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

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

THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER – ZAMBIA

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

PUPILS AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL HAVE PROTECTION FOR MALARIA

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

ZERO CASES OF MALARIA IN NYAWA VILLAGES

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

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

MOOMBA CHIEFDOM – MALARIA CASES SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCED

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

MOSQUITO NETS FOR CHUUNGA COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL

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

MALARIA PREVENTION PROGRAMME – NGWEZI

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

JANE KAYE-BAILEY WITH SHAMIM GOVANI AND CATHERINE McCARTHY

ADVANCEMENT IN EDUCATION FOR RURAL CHILDREN

Posted on July 1, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

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

MUKUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL – WHERE ITA ALL STARTED IN 2006

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

RIVER VIEW GRADE 6 PUPILS WELCOME NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK

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

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

KAZUNGULA – 280 PUPILS WILL HAVE A NEW SCHOOL THIS YEAR

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

MUYUNDA COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL RECEIVE BAGS OF MAIZE

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

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

OLD MAN FROM KANDANDA VILLAGE WALKED ALL DAY TO FIND FOOD

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