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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Jane Kaye-Bailey has been selected as a finalist for Aidex ‘Humanitarian Award of the Year‘. After being nominated for this prestigious award Jane is one of the four finalists. Below is the nomination, submitted by Leah Black. The winner will be announced on the 15th November 2017, at the Aidex Global Humanitarian and Development Event in Brussels. The vote to select the winner is open to the public, with Jane being a finalist The Butterfly Tree will receive a huge amount of publicity. Please use this link to vote for Jane:

Since founding The Butterfly Tree, Jane has selflessly provided 11 years dedication to the people of Zambia in her work to help orphans and rural communities. Her commitment has helped and saved thousands of lives with awe-inspiring lasting impact across an extensive geographical area in Southern Zambia, which she’s continuously expanding to ensure widespread support. I came across Jane 10 years ago when searching for a volunteer-led charity to fundraise for. I have followed her impressive work since then. From its conception, the charity’s philosophy has been to ensure that all donor funds go directly into grassroots projects and no personal fees or administration costs are deducted, which to this date is still, outstandingly, the case. This year I was keen to volunteer in Zambia to share my skills and see Jane’s charity first-hand. What I witnessed over two months astounded me; a charity true to its nature, following its original mission and changing lives sustainably and effectively, being run entirely by talented and dedicated Zambian volunteers who Jane is highly regarded by, with community self-development and local people at its heart.

Jane at the launch of The Butterfly Tree’s new Malaria Prevention Programme 2014

To highlight Jane’s impact, some 10,000 people now have access to safe water through 21 new boreholes, and better sanitation. She has developed wide-reaching sustainable feeding programmes in a country that ranks third hungriest nation globally and one of the poorest countries in Africa. Her support feeds over 2000 orphans and vulnerable children daily and provides seeds and fertiliser for vulnerable families. Jane strongly believes that education is fundamental to tackling poverty and through her desire to help change the future of vulnerable children she holds education at the heart of what she does; not only curriculum-based but also peer-led community education and youth empowerment; tackling personal, social and health issues, especially preventing HIV & Aids.

Jane with the ‘Kamwi Twins’, whose mother died in childbirth leaving premature babies. Now age 7 the boys have been supported by the charity since 2010.

Jane’s projects have developed new rural schools, with teacher’s houses, latrines and boreholes. She has enabled sponsorship of several hundred orphaned and vulnerable children from pre-school to grade 12, and helped students to attend college and achieve their aspirations, many of whom return to the villages to help their communities and inspire local youth. Additionally, her charity has provided vast amounts of materials in the 35 schools she helps and added special education units in four of them. 82 houses for widows and the elderly have been constructed, maternity care and medical supplies have been provided to numerous health centres and 12 clinics are supported, some of which her charity has built. Jane has commendable ability to empower communities she works in to be sustainable. She first ensures that adequate facilities are provided so that, once basic needs are available, income-generating activities can be introduced by initiating sustainable enterprises and microfinancing.

Jane raise funds to built the first matenrity clinic in rural Zambia. Others, as well as women’s shelters have also been constructed.

Jane’s work doesn’t stop here; through her continued dedication to tackle malaria she’s making a massive local and potentially national, even global, impact. For the past nine years her charity has funded a successful malaria prevention programme in Zambia, providing over 12,000 mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and educational workshops saving countless lives. Significantly, she’s been working with a UK company, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on two new products, an insecticide coating and larvicide granule which last two years and are not harmful to humans, animals or the environment; perceived to be the most superior currently available globally. The National Malaria Control Centre did an evaluation of the products and was extremely satisfied with the results. Consequently the products were approved by the Zambian Ministry of Health and the Zambian Environmental Agencies. After being granted a license Jane’s charity distributes these for humanitarian aid. In high-risk malaria locations where they were applied there was a significant reduction in new cases of malaria, protecting over 1000 households with an aim to safeguard many more nationwide.

Jane distributinmg mosquito nets and funding educational workshops for malaria prevention.

Jane runs the charity with compassion and full business sense, giving her great ability to build partnerships locally and internationally, like working closely with the Ministry of Education and District Health Authorities. Jane has a proven record for getting things done; she’s an exceptionally hard-worker. There’s no rushed jobs or funds being spent unwisely, as she ensures quality and transparency in all that the charity does and that fundraisers’ money goes directly towards good causes. This award would not only be an honour to Jane but also a significant achievement that would deliver enormous sense of pride to all people who hold Jane in their heart; most importantly local Zambians, who will be inspired and enthused by such recognition. I hope that you can see, like me, how deserving Jane is of joining the wall of fame at this year’s AidEx.

Jane hosted HRH Prnicess Royal in 2012 after the charity has been chosen to receive a visit during Her Majesty’s The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Year

Please use this link to vote for Jane as a finalist for the Humanitarian Hero Award.

Leah Black

Youth Develpoment Coordinator for The Butterfly Tree

I have pleasure in presenting our latest Annual Report and Accounts. For the full report please use this link: Annual Report and Accounts 2016 – 17

Please note that these will not be published on the Charity Commission website until after the 31st August due to the Commission developing a new on line portal.

Executive Summary

This has been a remarkable year for the charity, with new donors, fundraisers and volunteers enabling The Butterfly Tree to venture into new outreach communities in Zambia. Several thousand additional orphans and vulnerable children are gaining a basic education, receiving improved healthcare and drinking safe, clean water.

JANE – CHUUNGA VILLAGE

One of our most successful achievements is that of malaria prevention, with facts proving that our new interventions, are helping to save lives.  Mukuni Chiefdom has recorded zero deaths from malaria for the past five years. The combination of insecticidal coating being painted on the inside of dwellings, the use of  larvicide granules in ponds and streams to prevent larva developing into mosquitos, and the distribution of mosquito nets,  has provdided maximum coverage in several villages. In Chuunga Village alone the number of cases in the past three years has been reduced by ninety percent.

JANE DISTRIBUTING MOSQUITO NETS – KAFEKWE VILLAGE

As always, the orphans are at the forefront of our work. More individual orphans are being sponsored, which include 40 by the Mukuni Village Fund, Australia. What gives me a great deal of pleasure is to see orphans that we started sponsoring in 2006 completing school and gaining a college certificate and employment.  Besides helping with their education eight houses were built for widows and the elderly looking after orphans.

BRIDGET TRAINING TO BE A TEACHER

Certainly, the most remarkable story is that of Brain Mulwali who is currently training to become a pilot, while others are on agricultural and teacher training courses. It is wonderful to see some of them teaching pupils at their old schools. It is not easy to obtain a college sponsorship as the cost is much higher than school fees. Therefore, we encourage school leavers to volunteer for the community, to give somehting back and to help make a difference.. while they are waiting for a place.

BRIAN TRAINING TO BE A PILOT

At the forefront of these young volunteers are the Mukuni Youth Empowerment Group, who have received extensive training and coaching from two of our UK volunteers. I am so impressed with their dedication and determination into helping to make a change as peer educators. Working in schools, their HIV prevention workshops, which include the dangers of early pregnacies, alcohol and drug abuse and human rights, are truly making an impact.

MUKUNI YOUTH EMPOWERMENT GROUP

As always education projects continue to gain support. Six schools are being developed or expanded, vast amounts of desks, text books and unifroms have been donated. Four schools received bore holes, providing safe water to over 3,000 pupils and teachers, and 20 schools received seeds and fertilizers to grow food to for sustainable feeding programmes. I am delighted to say that after two years of drought, good rains this year yielded bumper crops!

FURTHER EXPANSION FOR N’GANDU SCHOOL

Zambia has many skilled and trained health workers, but sadly the rural facilities are inadequate. This year we improved the facilities at Mukuni Health Centre with a new drainage and sanitation system. Donations of equipment and medical supplies were given to Mambova, Muchambila, Mukuni, Singwamba and Livingstone General Hospital. As always I enjoyed distributing some of the 800 mosquito nets to remote villages in Mukuni Chiefdom, while others were sent to Singwamba in Nyawa Chiefdom, where there is a high prevalence of malaria.

CHILDREN IN KAMWI AREA HAVE PROTECTION AGAINST MALARIA

I have been overwhelmed by the support not just in the UK, but from all over the world, with volunteers working alongside us from Canada, USA, Australia, UAE and the UK. During my visit to Zambia in March it was wonderful to meet people who genuinely wanted to help both the charity and these needy communities. Not only were they generous in giving up their time, but also funded projects for schoolss and clinics.

CANADIAN & AUSTRALIAN GROUP RESTORING MUKUNI CLINIC

Besides the volunteers some of our donors come to meet the orphans they are sponsoring or to see the projects they have funded. Travel philanthropy is something that I have always promoted, as this is how I ended up founding The Butterfly Tree. Mukuni Village is just seven kilometres from the mighty Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site visited by tousands of tourists each year. It need only take a couple of hours to visit a rural community and to see the life-changing work done by The Butterfly Tree. Many people report that a visit to Mukuni or a similar village was the highlight of their holiday.

JULIA VISITING THE ORPHAN SHE SPONSORS – KAMWI VILLAGE

As always none of the achievements could have been possible without the committed and hardworking team of volunteers in both the UK and Zambia, who to contribute their time  by raising funds and adminstering the entire operation. The UK team, which grows each year, are totally committed to the cause, and I would especially like to thank my fellow Trustees Miranda, Ann and Wendy for taking on this repsonsible role.  David has now stepped down due to his career, but stays on as a volunteer. A special thanks to our volunteers David, Carolyn, Oscar, and Valerie, who joined us after raising funds through her District’s Inner Wheel Clubs. We are looking  forward to welcoming on board Leah, who recently volunteered with the charity in Zambia. Working with the young peer educators, Leah is a qualified Youth Worker. As always it’s great to have overseas volunteers and I would like to thank Marilee and Grant Gibson in Canada and Frank Maiola, our US representative.

The team in Zambia are not just a team, but amazing people who have managed and administered all our projects since 2006. Their tireless commitment has taken us into some of the remotest areas of the Southern Province to build schools and clinics, in areas where no other charity has ventured. Some of my happiest times are spent driving the team to new villages, meeting the local people and learning about their needs.

THE ZAMBIAN TEAM – MARTIN, MUPOTOLA, PRESLEY & JACOB

As always, I would like to sincerely thank the Zambian team for all they have done 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), who oversees our malaria, HIV/AIDS and water projects. I applaud the work and commitment of the young volunteers, who are the future of The Butterfly Tree. A special thanks to Chief Mukuni for his counsel, and the local tour operators and hoteliers who support our work.

SIBESO MASEKA HOLDS MALARIA PREVENTION WORKSHOP – CHUUNGA

Last, but by no means least, a tremendous thank you to every single individual, each company, club, church and organisation who has believed in us and continue to support our vital work in Zambia. Every donation, however small, helps us to make a difference. I was deeply touched to learn of Anna, a young school girl, who did a 42 mile walk with her father to raise funds for mosquito nets. Our major donors Jersey Oversees Aid, British and Foreign School Society, Attraction Tickets Direct, Mukuni Village Fund (Australia), Motive Real Estate (Texas), School in a Bag, The Besom, and Nationwide Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs, especially Solihull for their donation in memory a fellow member, have considerably boosted funds this year – I can only say a huge thank you to them and everyone else around the globe, including Larry and Gaylen Robbins, for your generous support. This coming year is looking very promising. We are looking forward to working with the the Guernsey Overseas Aid Commission and other new and existing donors in the next few months.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

I have pleasure in presenting The Butterfly Tree’s Annual Report and Accounts. My Chairman’s Report is below, please follow this link to view the full report, accounts and more pictures: Annual Report 15-16

It’s hard to believe, that in January this year, it was ten years since I first stepped onto Zambian soil. Little did I know that during the next decade I would return to this beautiful, but very poor, country and be running a charity both in the UK and Zambia, besides having a following of supporters from around the globe.

JANE WITH KAMWI TWINS – ELVIS AND VINCENT

What is even more amazing is that most of the volunteers who joined me in 2006 are still helping me, and that to this day we have not changed our original concept. The charity’s philosophy is to ensure that all donor funds go directly into grass roots projects, and that no personal fees or administration costs are deducted. I am delighted to say that we have been able to sustain this belief over the years.

TWO CLASSROOM BLOCKS FOR N’DELE PRIMARY SCHOOL – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

The 2015-16 financial year has been another great period for the charity and its beneficiaries. Despite raising less funds than the previous year, we completed more projects and gained a number of new donors, as well as new partnerships.

PARTNERS ‘SCHOOL IN A BAG’ PROJECT – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL, SEKEUTE CHIEFDOM

On the education front, we completed a huge development at N’gandu School, using grant aid with the help of volunteers from Jersey. Kamwi, Muchambile, Singwamba, Kauwe and River View Schools also underwent considerable expansion. The additional facilities included new classroom blocks, latrines, a school shop and a mobile science laboratory.

NEW CLASSROOMS AND LATRINES FOR SINGWAMBA JUNIOR SCHOOL – NYAWA CHIEFDOM

The core of all our work revolves around the welfare of orphans. With 1.2 million orphans in a country with a population of just over 15 million, a great deal of support is needed. We continue to attract new sponsors, but the more orphans we support, the more time is needed for administering the programme. To maximise the use of the sponsorship funds we are unable to provide regular feedback on each individual orphan. Therefore I would like to thank everyone for their understanding of the need to avoid any charges so that the funds can be used to educate and provide food for the orphans.

SPONSORED ORPHANS WEARING FOOTBALL SHIRTS DONATED BY MANCHESTER UNITED – N’GANDU SCHOOL

Every year the number of orphans completing a full basic education increases, and it is extremely rewarding to know that so many have gone on to seek further education or employment. Currently there are ten students being assisted to boarding establishments or colleges. For the ones that are awaiting opportunities we have enrolled them in volunteer programmes, most especially with the peer education for HIV prevention and malaria prevention programmes.

PETER LIYUNGU, FIRST ORPHAN TO BE SPONSORED IN 2006, DOING WORK EXPERIENCE AT MUKUNI

As always HIV is a major issue, especially in Mukuni Village and areas surrounding Kazungula. Both are border towns to Zimbabwe and Botswana respectively, as well as being close to major tourist destinations. Educating the young people about the dangers of HIV and prevention of the virus is crucial. Alcohol and drug abuse lessons, as well as early pregnancy prevention, are included in our workshops, which are proving to be highly invaluable.

PEER EDUCATORS IN HIV PREVENTION HOLDING A WORKSHOP AT MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL

The lack of safe drinking water in rural communities and schools is also a great concern. Three more bore holes were donated to Bunsanga, Siachikubi and Sinsimuku Schools. This helps to reduce diarroheal diseases in children, saves time on collecting water, and during the dry season it provides irrigation for school gardens. The charity has funded a feeding programme at Mukuni School for almost ten years. A further sixteen schools are given seeds and fertilizer to provide sustainable feeding programmes. Sanitation is another huge issue, especially in remote schools. Nine double latrines were constructed at N’gandu, Kasiya, Kauwe and Singwamba Schools.

ONE OF THREE BORE HOLES INSTALLED IN SCHOOLS – SIACHIKUBI, MUSOKOTWANE CHEIFDOM

Several health initiatives were funded during the past twelve months, these included a clinic at Mambova, two women’s shelters and the new malaria prevention project, which is proving to be highly successful. Over 1,000 houses were painted with the new insecticidal coating, and unlike the rest of the district these areas reported zero or very few cases of malaria. In addition, safe granules were placed in ponds and streams to prevent larva developing into mosquitoes. The Zambian Ministry of Health states that the products are highly effective in fighting the malaria vector.

NEW CLINIC FOR MAMBOVA COMMUNITY, SEKUTE CHIEFDOM

Six community houses were constructed for widows looking after orphans, four of them with the help of school groups from Wales, while teams from World Challenge constructed a sustainable school shop at Kamwi Junior School. A group of eleven adults came from Jersey, through JOAC’s Community Works project, and once again Mukuni Health Centre had help from Sydney University students. A team from Attraction Tickets Direct travelled to Nyawa Chiefdom where the company funded a number of school projects, as well as bore holes facilitated through our partner Just a Drop.

VOLUNTEERS FROM JOAC COMMUNITY WORKS PROJECTS – N’GANDU VILLAGE, MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

All of this has been achieved due to the hard work and dedication of our teams of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia. As always I am extremely grateful to my fellow trustees David, Miranda and Wendy who offer so much support and advice, and to Ann Sutton for the tireless task of administering the charity accounts, to Carolyn Howe for managing the volunteer programme and for Oscar Miyanda, who assists with the malaria prevention programme. A special thanks to Frank Maiola, our US representative and to Marilee and Grant Gibson in Canada.

Most importantly I cannot thank enough our amazing team of volunteers for The Butterfly Tree, Zambia. Having the charity registered both in the UK and Zambia has helped us to achieve so much more than having to rely on third party organisations or agencies. Their devotion and commitment is quite extroadinary, especially now that we have expanded to areas away from their roots. Mupotola Siloka (Secretary & Project Manager), Presley Mulenga (Head of Education), Martin Mushabati (Ground Operations Manager), Stain Musungaila (Malaria Prevention) and Sibeso Maseke (Environmetal Officer). Finally, the help from the young volunteers is so rewarding – they are the ones that will make the changes! A special thanks to Chief Mukuni for his counsel, and the local tour operators and hoteliers who support our work.

My heartfelt thanks to every single individual, each company and organisation who has supported us over the past decade. There are far too many to name individually, though I must make an exception and thank our major donors – the Jersey Oversees Aid Commision, the British and Foreign School Society, Saga Charitable Trust, Just a Drop, ENRC Marketing AG, The Besom, Attraction Tickets Direct, Black and White Accounting, the Mukuni Village Fund (Australia), and Valerie Redfern with the Inner Wheel Clubs. I would also like to thank the new organisations and companies, School in a Bag, Give a Hand (Canada) and Motive Real Estate (USA) for inviting us to partner with them. I am grateful and overwhelmed by the trust that everyone of you has put in myself and The Butterfly Tree.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

The new financial year has got off to a great start! Since April 1st I am delighted to say that we have received a substantial amount of funding to add more bore holes, to provide extra support for Malaria and HIV prevention, and to construct new educational facilities.

Using donations from a private donor, Cayman Islands Rotary Club and Kampango we are about to install two bore holes at Singwamba Health Centre, which has a catchment of 7,500 and for River View School, attended by 1,100 pupils. At present both areas rely on river water, which is full of bacteria and in the case of River View, teeming with crocodiles.

The 1,100 pupils at River View School are to receive a new bore hole

This year in Zambia there has been a serious outbreak in malaria, which is some areas has turned into an emergency. The environmental officers believe it is due to the unseasonable heavy rain which fell in March, leaving a considerable amount of stagnant water in rural areas. I am pleased to say that the areas in Mukuni, where we applied the new intervention, have not been affected. This is an extract from a letter sent to us from the Ministry of Health:

‘The application of the products in eight communities in the Mukuni Chiefdom has contributed to the reduction of malaria in Mukuni area. This is because the chemicals are very effective in fighting the malaria vector.’

One of the 1,000 plus households to receive protection from malaria

In other areas Singwamba Health Centre recorded 3,245 cases of malaria and the tragic deaths of twelve children aged between one and thirteen years. After putting out an appeal on Facebook, amazingly donors instantly responded and a considerable amount of money was raised. We have since applied the safe granules in mosquito breeding grounds, in the worst affected areas, to prevent the larva from developing into mosquito.

Stagnant water – breeding ground for mosquito

On the education front we received substantial funding from Jersey Overseas Aid Commission to add two 1×3 classroom blocks and a solar system to N’gandu School. This is being done through their Community Works Project and once again we will host volunteers from Jersey to help with the construction. Arnewood School has raised funds for a boarding shelter at Mukuni, a group of their students will shortly travel to Zambia to volunteer.

Further development for N’gandu Junior Secondary School

Sinsimuku Community School is currently being developed with the construction of two classrooms, latrines and a teacher’s house, thanks to a further donation from Attraction Tickets Direct. In addition a recent donation from a US volunteer will enable our young peer educators to carry out more workshops in HIV prevention. More orphans are to be sponsored and our partner, the Mukuni Village Trust in South Australia, has offered to continue supporting forty orphans.

Florence – one of the 40 orphans sponsored by the Australian group

We have a brand ‘new look’ website, kindly donated by Miranda de Freston, one of our trustees and owner of Morphity.

These generous offers of support and funds help to sustain our on going projects as well as allowing us to reach out to more remote communities in in the Southern Province of Zambia.

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