Humanitarian Hero Award 2017 Finalist

Posted on November 6, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

Children with Special Needs

Posted on September 25, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Life in Zambian rural villages is tough for most children, but if you have learning or physical difficulties it can be incredibly hard. The Butterfly Tree has supported a programme for children with special needs since 2008. Our work was praised by HRH Princess Royal after selecting this as one of the areas she wanted to see when she visited the charity in 2012.

HRH Princess Roya; visit to Mukuni Special Education Class

Before our involvement there was no support for these vulnerable children in rural villages. Families on low or no income were unable to send their children to boarding schools in townships so they had to remain at home. The Zambian government welcomed our input after we build a special education unit at Mukuni Village. With help from Fountaindale SE School in Nottinghamshire we subsequently received volunteers, educational materials and teacher’s training.

Special Education Class – Mukuni Primary School

One of the first beneficiaries was Joseph, who has Cerebral Palsy. When I first met Joseph at the age of six he could not speak, had difficulty with balance and frequently fell over. He lived at home with his grandparents and was unable to attend school. The charity donated funds for Joseph to have physiotherapy – whithin a year the difference was remarkable, and in less than two years Joseph could run.

Joseph, at the ager of seven, has Cerebral Palsy

I then made a request to the special education teacher at Mukuni for Joseph to attend school just one day per week. He responded so well that the following week he attended every day. He had no use in his right arm. One day when I was visiting the class, Joseph started drawing on the blackboard, using his right hand. The stimulation from being at school really helped him progress. Now, at the age of 10, Joseph can string words together and actively engages with other children, even playing football!

Joseph, aged ten, loves football

Following this success we built three more units for Katapazi, Simango and River View Schools in the Chiefdoms of Mukuni, Musokotwane and River View Schools, respectively. A recent donation from Lasswade Primary School will provide much needed materials for children with special needs. One of the school’s teachers is raising funds for a further unit to be added to Kauwe Junior Secondary School.

Pupils at River View School sing to visitors and use sign language

We have helped many more children like Joseph, but as always, more funds are needed to reach out to these underprivileged children with special needs.

Orphan Sponsorship Results

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

It’s not easy being an orphan. When a child has lost, not just one, but both parents, his or her world is turned upside down. What is worse for some children is that they may have been living a relatively prosperous life in a town where both parents brought in an income, then everythng changes. They must go to a remote village to live with their grandparents or guardian. No longer do they have the amenities found in town, their new home is most likely to be a mud hut dwelling with no running water and no electricity.

Malaria Prevention – Moomba Chiefdom

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

I have just returned from a short trip to Zambia after setting up a malaria prevention programme in Moomba Chiefdom. The area is located on the North-Western Side of Kazungula District, almost 300 km from Livingstone and 230 km from Kazungula border town. The landscape is undulating sand dunes with numerous lagoons, pans and seasonal swamps in hollows between the dunes. Dry grassland plains, teak forests and miombo woodlands cover the land. This type of landscape promotes stagnation of water perfect for mosquito breeding. The Chiefdom has a high prevalence of malaria. The number of cases in the last three years are: 2014 1,755: 2015 2,000; 2016 1,655. This year 2,017 cases were recorded between January and the end of May.

THE ROAD TO MOOBMA

Accompanied by Mupotola, Presley and Sibeso and setting off at 06.00 I drove for seven hours until we reached Moomba Village. We were met by dubious stares from the adults and apprehensive faces from the children until the nurse introduced us and told that people that we had come to help with their malaria problem. We donated much-needed medical supplies, jerseys for the baby clinic, which was taking place and blankets were given out to the most vulnerable children.

MOOMBA WOMEN RECEIVE BABY CLOTHES

This Chiefdom has never been visited by any other charity or NGO. The Zambian government requested our support to help tackle the malaria problem. We donated 130 mosquito nets with a further 130 to be distributed next week. To provide maximum protection we will apply the safe insecticide coating inside each dwelling and larvicide granules, starting with villages with the highest prevalence of malaria.

DONATION OF MOSQUITO NETS

There are thirteen villages dependent on this medical centre, which has only one nurse and an Environmental Officer. The nearest hospitals for serious malaria cases are Sichili Mission Hospital, which is 70km, and Livingstone General Hospital 290km. All referred patients must find their own way to these facilities.

MOOMBA HEALTH CENTRE

The village has a school with 380 pupils up to grade 7. The closest school for the pupils to continue their education is at Molabezi, some 23 km from the village centre. It was a joy meeting these shy children. Once they got used to us they posed for photographs, bursting into fits of giggles when they saw their images on a digital camera. The time went too quickly and after only a short stay in Moomba we had to head back in order to reach the main road before dark. A 590km round trip, 7 hours each way. 200km normal roads driving, 140km on roads with deep potholes and 250km off road, mostly on sandy tracks. We arrived back in Livingstone at 22.00.

BLANKETS FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN

Unfortunately, on the journey back from Zambia I appear to have contracted a viral infection and realise more than ever just how lucky we are to have such good medical care at hand. A call to the paramedics resulted in them arriving at my home within ten minutes. Two subsequent visits to my doctor and numerous blood tests, taken over the next of seven days, was reassuring. A far cry from the facilities on offer in Zambia. It takes four hours to walk to the railway line when someone needs to get to Livingstone. I have nothing but admiration for these gentle, yet resilient people, and more determined than ever to support the fight against malaria.

Annual Report and Accounts 2016-17

Posted on July 19, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

Mukuni Orphans Give Back

Posted on May 24, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Orphans give back to their community after completing school.

One of the most difficult challenges when running a charity in a developing county is to create sustainability. Zambia is no exception. Many of orphans we sponsored from 2006 completed high school, some have sought employment, while others advanced to further education.

Over fifty orphans, who achieved their goals, are now working in schools, hotels and other establishments. Currently, six students are attending teaching and agricultural colleges, all sponsored by The Butterfly Tree, thanks to the generous support from our donors.

BRIDGET, TRAINING TO BE A TEACHER

Those who have not yet had chance to go college are encouraged to volunteer for both the charity and the community. They have helped us to build community houses, distribute vital malaria prevention products, volunteer at the clinic, and teach in some of the local schools we support.

FORMER SPONSORED ORPHANS BUILDING COMMUNITY HOUSES

Despite suffering the loss of one or both parents at early age, these vulnerable young people have embraced the opportunities offered to them. Most especially, a remarkable group from Mukuni Village, who have taken on a huge challenge to help reduce the number of new cases of HIV, early teenage pregnancies, alcohol and drug abusers.

DONALD, NATAHSA, JAFTA, NGAMBA, EDWIN, PETER & DENNIS

Originally trained by Mutsa Marau, and most recently by Leah Black, two experienced UK volunteers, the group are making a significant impact amongst the youths of Mukuni and other rural areas in the Kazungula District. The group, known as Mukuni Youth Empowerment, goes into schools educating the pupils about the dangers and issues they are faced with. Included in the workshops are drama and dance performances to illustrate the effect that HIV, alcohol and early teenage pregnancies can have can have on an individual and their extended family.

MUKUNI YOUTH EMPOWERMENT DRAMA PERFORMANCE – NATIONAL YOUTH DAY

Earlier this year, Edwin, Natasha, Dennis, Jafta, Ngamba and Donald, were given two months intensive training on coaching and mentoring from Leah, which will create further sustainability for the project. In addition to the workshops the group are giving both one-to-one mentoring and group coaching sessions.

MUKAMAMU, SPONSORED THE CHARITY, CURRENTLY BEING MENTORED

It is an absolute pleasure to see these remarkable young people appreciating the opportunity they have and giving something back to their community.

More Schools for Rural Children

Posted on May 16, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

When I first offered to raise funds to build a high school in Mukuni Village back in 2006, never did I imagine in a millions years that The Butterfly Tree would be building entire new schools, classrooms, teachers’ houses, boarding facilities as well as special education units for children with mental and physical disabilities.

MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL OPENED IN 2007

We have since supported and developed 32 schools in the Kazungula and Livingstone Districts. Most recently we completed a two-phase development at N’gandu School in Mukuni Chiefdom, thanks to a substantial grant from JOA Community Works Project. This included 9 classrooms, two teacher’s houses, 3 double latrines, a kitchen shelter and a water reticulation system. The 560 pupils now have adequate space to learn up to grade 9.

NGANDU SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT 2015-16

Bunsanga School, in Musokotwane Chiefdom, was built by the community and run by an unskilled teacher. Unfortunately, in January the school was hit by a severe storm and the roof collapsed. Construction is now underway to build a permanent two-bay classroom block, donated by Attraction Tickets Direct, who have previously funded the development of Kauwe, Nampuyani, Singwamba and Sinsimuku Schools.

BUNSANGA COMMUNITY SCHOOL – NEW SCHOOL IS CURRENTLY BEING BUILT

Last week we received a grant for GOAC, which will enable us to expand River View School in Sekute Chiefdom. The school has 1,150 pupils, currently there are not enough classrooms to enrol grade 10 pupils. The funding includes classrooms, latrines, desks and 1,200 mosquito nets for all the pupils and teachers, to aid our malaria prevention programme.

RIVER VIEW SCHOOL EXPANSION STARTING IN MAY 2017

In addition to these school developments, we have recently donated a substantial amount of text books and desks to Mukuni, Kamwi, River View and Bunsanga Schools, thanks to donations from donors and volunteers from the UK, USA, Canada and Dubai. We will also started sponsoring an additional 25 orphans and vulnerable children at the start of the new term on the 15th May, while 6 students are being sponsored for further college courses.

Education is the key to overcoming poverty and its related issues. with your help over 12,000 children have access to an improved educational environment.

WORLD MALARIA DAY – 25TH APRIL

Posted on April 25, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

World Malaria Day 2017’s global theme is ‘End Malaria for Good’. The World Health Organisation is shining a spotlight on prevention, a critical strategy for reducing the toll of a disease that continues to kill more than 400 000 people annually.

Malaria Prevention is essential for young children like Mary

Every 60 seconds a child dies from malaria

212 million new cases of malaria, 90% in the African Region in 2015

An estimated 429,000 malaria deaths in 2015

The Butterfly Tree is totally committed to our vital malaria prevention programme in Zambia, where there is high a high prevalence of malaria. In addition to providing mosquito nets and funding malaria prevention workshops, our new intervention, which includes a safe insecticidal coating and larvicide granules, is proving to be highly effective. In November 2015, we coated over 700 dwellings in Mukuni Chiefdom – reports show that there are no new cases of malaria in villages where the application took place.

Coating used inside of dwellings is safe and lasts for up to two years

In the past twelve months we donated some 800 mosquito nets for Mukuni and Nyawa Chiefdom. These included donations from Marilee Gibson’s fundraiser event, which bought 300 mosquito nets for Mukuni and Singwamba clinics. Last year Singwamba clinic reported a staggering 3,450 cases of malaria. Sadly, there were twelve deaths in children aged between one and thirteen, due to lack of preventative intervention.

Pregnant women and children under five receiving mosquito nets – Kamwi Village

Earlier this month Anna Wilkie, a young school girl, accompanied by her father Jon, walked 47.5 miles from her home to the Welsh Border to raise funds for The Butterfly Tree to buy mosquito nets. This was a remarkable achievement for a young school girl – the money Anna raised from her ‘Walk to Wales’ campaign has bought 142 mosquito nets for the Nyawa Chiefdom. Our main target area for the distribution of mosquito nets are infants, children under 5 years of age and pregnant women.

Anna and John ‘Walk to Wales’ to raise money for mosquito nets

Donations from North Worcestershire and Stratford-upon-Avon Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel Clubs District 6 and 21, and Nick Bousliman have helped us to purchase more of the Vectorcide Coating and Larvicide Granules. After the recent heavy rains high cases of malaria are predicted over the next three months. We are working closely with the Ministry of Health, the National Malaria Control Centre and local clinics.

Nyawa Chiefdom reported high numbers of malaria in 2016

There are so many outreach communities that do not receive any support. It is our intention to reach out to areas that desperately need protection. We are very grateful to all our donors and volunteers who are helping us to fight malaria. Most especially the Environmental Officers and community trained health workers – without them the malaria cases would be considerably higher. Below is a message from Zambia:

As the world commemorates World Malaria Day on 25″April 2017 I would like to acknowledge and appreciate the assistance that The Butterfly Tree has given in the fight against Malaria in Mukuni catchment area and beyond. In 2015, the Butterfly Tree donated Vectorcide Coating and Vectorcide Larvicide granules to Mukuni clinic. These products were used in areas with high cases of Malaria within the Mukuni Catchment area. Over 700 structures were coated with the coating while the granules were deposited in the streams in the same areas. A close follow- up of the Malaria disease trend in these areas yielded a reduction in number of Malaria cases. In addition no deaths due to Malaria were recorded during this period. It is my wish and hope that the Butterfly Tree continues rendering this valuable and effective support in the fight against Malaria. Thank you – Sibeso Maseka, Environmental Officer, Kazungula District.

To help us reach out to more rural communities please donate just £5, which could help save a child’s life.

Travel Philanthropy

Posted on April 6, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

From its concept in 2006 one of my aims was that The Butterfly Tree would to attract Travel Philanthropists from all over the world. The area where we are based in Zambia is close to one of the most magnificent sites, not just in Africa, but on the planet. Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, the Victoria Falls, know locally as the Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘the smoke that thunders’) is the world’s largest sheet of falling water.

The Mighty Victoria Falls in March

The Victoria Falls is 1708 metres wide with a maximum drop of 108 metres. 50 million litres of water per minute drops from the Zambezi River, the fourth longest river in Africa, crossing through Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before reaching the Indian Ocean. This spectacular site attracts tourists from around the globe and it is largely due to this phenomenon that we have enticed a number of travel philanthropists and volunteers to work with us on our projects.

The Zambezi River at the edge of the Victoria Falls

Last month I was in Zambia to host a group from Canada and Australia, led by Marilee and Grant Gibson, who I met when they were visiting the area in 2012. Ever since the couple have been regular fundraisers for our cause. In March this year they brought with them a team of retired doctors, nurses and teachers to volunteer at Mukuni School and Health Centre, as well as donating funds for mosquito nets, school desks and text books. After this experience they pledged further support.

Canadian and Australian volunteers watch the National Youth Day performances

John Staab, from Motive Real Estate, Texas also arrived to see the construction of the community houses, which his company is funding. For every house that is sold John donates a community house for the elderly or widows, looking after orphans. In the past nine months John has donated funds for seven houses with two more on the way.

John Staab lending a hand to the thatchers – Mukuni Village

For young people in Mukuni and other rural villages the challenges are abundant. Lack of education, disease, unemployment and poverty are some of the main issues. We have sponsored hundreds or orphans in education, a number of them are now in college or employment. For those who have left school and aim to seek further education volunteering is vital in helping them to gain confidence and experience. We now have a very powerful group, formerly trained under Meet Mutsa’s ‘Catch me I’m a Butterfly’ project, actively involved in helping to make a difference.

Mukuni Youth Empowerment Group

Now known as the Mukuni Youth Empowerment Group the members recently received tremendous support from donor/volunteer Leah Black. An experienced youth worker, Leah, spent two months further training this dedicated group of young people, to become mentors and coaches in matters concerning HIV prevention, risk taking, menstrual hygiene and alcohol abuse. Now the group can confidently mentor the orphans and advance the workshops they perform in schools.

Leah Black directed an event for National Youth Day

From Dubai we welcomed Katie Bezou and Katerina Player, who raised a considerable amount of funds to purchase school supplies and equipment for Mukuni Primary Section. Katie is currently teaching in the pre-school, while Katerina is helping out in the special education class, which we built in 2011.

Mukuni Special Education Unit constructed in 2011

This week Tracy and Charlie Flavell arrived in Mukuni. Charlie’s wish, for his 18th birthday, was to paint a classroom for orphans. His mother Tracey offered Charlie the chance to travel to Zambia to fulfil his wish – instead of receiving presents his family and friends donated funds to paint the classroom and to purchase school text books. Tracey will be working with bereaved children and Charlie will be teaching and painting!

Young Orphans Sponsored by The Butterfly Tree

These travellers have donated not only their time, but a considerable amount of money. This has given a huge boost to the local schools and clinics at Mukuni, Kamwi, River View and Singwamba. Travel philanthropy is a two-way objective, it not only gives you an opportunity to visit a developing country, but it can offer an incite into the lives of indigenous people, which can be a rewarding and often a life-changing experience. In 2006 I was a traveller to the Victoria Falls and became a philanthropist. I would like to thank all those who have followed in my footsteps!

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Malaria Prevention Success

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

OCTOBER 2016 to JANUARY 2017

For the past ten years, we have provided funds to purchase thousands of mosquito nets and malaria testing kits to help meet the government’s shortfall. Our target areas have been remote communities in the Kazungula District.

Mosquito nets provide vital protection for young children

In recent years, the Ministry of Health reported that the number of malaria cases in this District had significantly reduced. However, between January and June, 2016 there was a severe outbreak of malaria, which lead to an emergency in several Districts. During this period the numbers of cases had increased fourfold, the District was to record the nation’s second highest number of cases. The worst area being Ndola District in the Copperbelt, where are staggering 65,503 confirmed cases were recorded between the same period.

Mambova Clinic, Kazungula District built by the charity in 2016

In November, 2015 The Butterfly Tree started using these safe innovative products after spending two years working with the National Malaria Control Centre and the Ministry of Health to gain approval, certification and licensing to import the Vectorcide coating and Larvicide granules.

The Mukuni Chiefdom, a vast rural area close to Livingstone, was selected to be the first beneficiary. A total of 740 structures were painted with the coating, with the addition of their health centre facilities. The granules were placed in stagnant pools of water close to the villages.

750 Mukuni dwellings were coated with the safe intervention

For the past fifteen months, The Butterfly Tree with the assistance of a government Environmental Officer, has closely monitored and evaluated the malaria in this area. During the outbreak in the Kazungula District, Mukuni Health Centre recorded 200 cases of malaria, between January and June 2016. This was the lowest number in the District. The catchment for this facility is 8,456.

Mrs Maseka, Environmental Officer and key member of our team

The rainy season in Zambia is from October to April, and new malaria data is being collected. I am pleased to report that from the 1^st October until the 31^st January this year no cases of malaria have been reported.

Previously Chuunga Village recorded high numbers of malaria

It is normal practice for The Ministry of Health to provide Indoor Residual Spraying in reachable villages in the Mukuni Chiefdom. This season, the government will not be providing any preventative methods in Mukuni so that we can continue to monitor the effects of the new products. To support our work and provide further protection we continue to donate mosquito nets, especially to the under-fives and pregnant women, for these communities.

Challenges

The weather – during the current rainy season some of the villages are inaccessible, which makes evaluation more difficult
Some of the villages are inaccessible by 4×4 and must be reached by foot
Temperatures between 35 to 40 degrees for several months of the year
Insufficient funds to provide protection for other villages in the Mukuni Chiefdom and beyond

Conclusion

This positive feedback shows that the number of cases in the Mukuni Chiefdom has been considerably reduced
These products continue to work after 15 months, in comparison the Indoor Residual Spraying method lasts no longer than six months

We aim to raise more funds and awareness of malaria to provide protection for other outreach villages, you can donate to our malaria prevention programme by clicking on DONATE