For centuries African countries have been exploited, many prospering from the rich natural resources found in countries such as Congo, Zimbabwe and Zambia. These countries are now some of the poorest in the world decimated by war and poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Now it is time for the West to give something back and help Africa overcome their numerous hardships. Earlier this year several countries in Eastern and Southern Africa suffered the worst flooding in decades; lives and livestock were lost, homes and crops destroyed, entire communities submerged in water. Is this a result of ‘global warming? There is no welfare available and the governments are so poor they have to appeal for international aid.

Where I am working in Zambia, as an NGO, close to the Victoria Falls area I see complete extremes of accomodation; from mud huts to luxurious hotels and lodges. The nation is experiencing a ‘boom’ in tourism and once again the hoteliers and tour operators are exploiting local communities. It isn’t enough just to offer employment to the people; they need health care, safe water and education. It is shameful to hear that hoteliers drain the local bore holes to water their golf courses, which is the case in some developing countries.

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Having previously been involved in the travel industry, since travelled extensively around the globe and now working in one of the poorest countries in the world, I have observed a great deal. Now that experience can be put to use at the seminar hosted by The Butterfly Tree at the Europe 2008 Travel Distribution Summit being staged at the London Design Centre to encourage tour operators, hoteliers and tourists to be more aware of the needs of the communities they are operating in.

For the past two years we have partnered with Exquisite Safaris who have agreed to donate £125 for every one of their tourists who visit our projects at Mukuni Village. This also gives the traveller an opportunity to ‘get involved’ or give something back.

I am delighted that three other like-minded organizations have agreed to join me at this event. Tourism Concern, is the only UK organisation campaigning on exploitation in the global tourism industry; Charity Challenge, gaining an award for Best Tour Operator for Poverty Reduction at the World Travel Market and Everyclick, the search engine that gives 50% of its revenue to charity every month.

If you would like to join The Butterfly Tree at the seminar reserve your place and use the link for free registration for further information read our previous post Travel Summit or contact Jane Kaye-Bailey jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk telephone 01926 843699 or Simon Carkeek simon@eyefortravel.com

Although there are over 100 orphans being sponsored by The Butterfly Tree, many more orphan sponsorships are urgently need help. I was distressed to learn yesterday that out of 50 pupils who had past grade 9 to attend the new high school, only 20 had been able to afford to pay for the fees and uniform.

In October 2007 when I was driving through Livingstone, the teacher from Mukuni who was accompanying me, asked me to pull over after she spotted a pupil from her class. When she asked Victor Simango why he was not at school, he bowed his head and simply replied ‘I cannot’. I also questioned him and found that he had no father and a mother who could no longer afford to educate him. I asked him if he liked school and that if he got the chance of a sponsorship would be attend. The answer was yes to both questions.  I suggested he meet me at the Head Teacher’s office at 9am the following morning, he was early!

Sponsored orphan: Victor Simango

It is heartbreaking to see these Zambian children who’s education is the most important part of their life, having to drop out of school as one or both of their parents have died. Next week grade 9 pupils are due to sit their exams; twenty would have been unable to take them until The Butterfly Tree intervened; their grandparents or guardians could not find the £4.50 to pay for the examination fees.

Orphan sponsorships are £85 a year and will cover the cost of school and exam fees, books, uniform, shoes and school bag. Our aim is to get the older children back into school as quickly as possible so that they do not miss any more valuable lessons.

Please consider sponsoring an orphan and make a difference to someone’s life! More on:orphan sponsorship

I have just returned from an eventful trip to Zambia, which included meeting Vice-President Rupiah Banda during his visit to survey the areas devastated by the recent floods.

Chief Mukuni invited me to attend the meeting when the Vice-President came to Mukuni Village. The Chief explained The Butterfly Tree’s involvement in his Chiefdom and I was given the opportunity to voice my disappointment in Zambian customs failure to release our shipment to assist the flood victims. Mr. Banda told me that it would be looked into by his office.

I personally visited the areas around Maramba, where many people had been displaced during the torrential rains from the Zambia Floods that caused such destruction. I met a new born baby living in one of the tents provided by Shelter Box and learnt of the shortages of food amongst the people. Much of the nation’s maize crops have been destroyed during the peak growing season with a famine predicted in many areas. Read More →

Tomorrow I will be leaving for Zambia and I am looking forward to seeing just how much progress has been made since my last trip in September 2007. I recenty learnt from my NGO committee that this month the Ministry of Finance sent a delegation from Lusaka to visits our projects. Apparently they were extremely impressed and could not believe that so much had been achieved in just two years.

The water is now flowing freely in Mukuni Village after replacing the nine leaking tanks and pipework. There are seveteen pit-latrine toilets and a much better equipped health centre since our input. The HIV/AIDS program is underway and the additional malaria testings kits mean that more people can be tested and treated. We have built twenty houses for vulnerable people and set up three families in sustainable business ventures. Young children are healthier thanks to the feeding programs we are providing at both the clinic and Mukuni School.

Photo: Jane with pupils from the remote school in Siamasimbi Village

However more funds are needed. Although we are supporting three village schools, Siamasimbi a remote community, receives very little help from the outside world Read More →

Thanks to JuggleFrogs most generous donation of a new website we now have supporters from Hawaii to Australia. Miranda de Freston of JuggleFrogs has devoted weeks of her time to develop the website and we feel very priviliged to not only having such an advanced site but also to having her on our team.

The website has had hits from seventeen States in the US this month and recently I received an email from a group of people from Colorada who visited Mukuni Village and wanted to help. After searching google they came across The Butterfly Tree and have kindly offered to sponsor twelve orphans.

We are now able to raise funds through everyclick which works like every other major search engine with the added bonus that every time you ‘click’ you can raise money for The Butterfly Tree. It doesn’t cost you anything and all you have to do is register your support – click here.

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One and a half million people have been affected by the recent floods in Zambia; several weeks of continuous rain have devastated many areas of the nation. On Friday of this week The Butterfly Tree is air-freighting huge amounts of medical supplies, blankets and clothing to help the victims. Cunninghams Epos Systems are providing the transport to Heathrow and MTEC Global are the shipping agent asssiting in the operation. Our appeal has received a great response from Zambians living in the UK who want support their fellow countrymen during this crisis.

Six thousand people have been displaced in the Southern Province and most of the crops have been destroyed. I shall shortly be flying to Zambia to assess the damage in the Kasungula District where we work.

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The Butterfly Tree has launched a flood appeal to help victims of the recent Zambia Floods. The president has announced the flood as a national disaster and it is still raining!

Due to the lack of information reported by the world press it is difficult to access just how bad the situation from the Zambia Floods is; talking to my contacts in the Livingstone area it is devastating. A number of lives have been lost and many people displaced; schools have had to closed and crops destroyed. The make shift homes, in compound areas such as Maramba have collasped and rural mud huts are not standing up to the deluge. 

Perhaps the worst is still to come, with most of the crops being lost during this prime growing season, a famine is predicted. Read More →

I was deeply saddened to learn that Shadreck Mabote, the Prime Minister of the Mukuni Chiefdom, passed away yesterday. In the brief time I knew him I believe that he was a great man who was totally dedicated to his people and respected by all who knew him. During my visit to Mukuni in September 2007 I spent many days travelling around the community with him and admired his dedication and committment.

Mukuni Prime Minister

Quite noticeably he was dearly loved and will be sadly missed by everyone. Read More →