Category Archives: Uncategorized

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CHANGING LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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The Butterfly Tree continues to spread its wings thanks to the tremendous support we receive from regular and new donors. Further schools are being developed, an entire health post is under construction, a new women’s project is underway, and more orphans and vulnerable children are being sponsored.

KAMWI TWINS SPONSORED SINCE BIRTH AFTER LOSING THEIR MOTHER IN CHILDBIRTH

Five students started university in September, including Charity Sikota, thanks to a donation from The Murphy Family Foundation. Charity had never left the Kazungula District, but having an ambition to improve her life she accepted the sponsorship to become a teacher in business studies. In her own words…

“My name is Charity Sikota born in a family of three sisters and one brother. I am the last born in my family. I lost my parents at an early stage and I started staying with my grandmother. Growing up with my grandmother was rough but we were managing to get by. Unfortunately, my grandmother also passed on and I started staying with my aunt. I wrote my grade nine but my aunt failed to pay school fees for me. I had to stop school and stayed in the village for 3 years. The Butterfly Tree started sponsoring me till I completed my grade 12, I am very grateful for the opportunity. I was so excited when I was told that I would be sponsored further through university. Even though I was so scared to travel alone to a place so far away, I reached my destination safely. I have even started taking my classes and am very excited to be in this place. Words may never describe the full content of how grateful I am. ”

CHARITY – COMPLETED GRADE 12 AT RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

This donation has also given six youths an opportunity to enrol in a variety of skilled-based courses, including building, welding, catering, accountancy, and forward and clearing. Theirworld, who offer sponsorship for girls has given us a further grant for five students to attend college. The five girls that the organisation sponsored last year have done exceedingly well, all gaining diplomas with three distinctions and two merits. More students will commence courses at both university and college in January.

HENRY, FROM MUKUNI VILLAGE, NOW STUDYING PHARMACY AT UNIVERSITY

The Mukuni Village Trust, South Australia continues to sponsor 40 orphans, through individual donors a further 16 are being sponsored, and a new school in Musokotwane is to added to the sponsorship programme. To improve learning in these rural schools we have donated vast amounts of text books, especially in Maths and Science, as these are subjects that pupils struggle with. This is mainly due to having to share one textbook between 20 or more pupils. We have seen improved examination results in schools that have been helped.

Kamwi Junior School now has a new classroom block, which will enable the facility to advance to grades 8 and 9, reducing the distance pupils must walk. A generous donation left in the will of a teacher, who volunteered in Zambia, is being used complete a classoom and science lab for Sichifulo Junior Secondary School in Nyawa. Funds for classroom blocks in two additional schools are also in place.

NEW CLASSROOM BOCK, CONSTRUCTED BY OUR TRAINED YOUTHS – KAMWI SCHOOL

Construction is underway for a Health Post at Katondo, after receiving a generous grant from Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey. The borehole has been installed and a clinic, two staff houses and a biodigester will complete the project. Two mother’s shelter have been built at Manyemuyemu and Sikachapa, offering women a safe place to stay prior to the onset of labour, after receiving a donation from the Sacred Heart Foundation. Blooms the Pharmacy donated further funds to purchase medical supplies for Bunsanga, Simonga and Mambova clinics.

BOREHOLE AND HANDPUMP FOR KATONDO RURAL HEALTH POST

In addition to the Beekeeping and Mangoes of Hope women’s project, Give a Hand, our Canadian partner, has given a further donation to develop a sustainable income-generating enterprise for 200 women in Sekute. These food security projects help to empower women, giving them an opportunity to support their children, while providing sufficient food to alleviate hunger. One of our UK volunteers has written a wonderful booklet on ‘Empowering Girls’. The aim is to form Girl’s Clubs in school to help reduce teenage pregnancies and early marriages. This pioneer project is underway in Mukuni with one of our Zambian volunteers and a teacher conducting the workshops.

One of the most vital projects we support is that of malaria prevention. After months of hot dry weather Zambia’s rainy season is about to start, which is welcome for planting crops and filling up streams and rivers. However, it is also the start of the malaria season when children are at risk of contracting this potentially fatal disease. A new vaccination has recently been approved by the World Health Organisation, but no doubt this will take years to deliver it to regions as remote as the ones we work in. The government’s priority is to provide mosquito nets for pregnant women and under fives, which means that school children are left out. Our successful ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools‘ project is to be highly successful. Each pupil and teacher is given a mosquito net and monitoring takes place.

PUPIL  RECEIVE MOSQUITO NETS FOR MALARIA PREVENTION – MUYUNDA SCHOOL

We are appealing for donations for mosquito nets, which cost just £4 or $6. Our target is to raise enough funds to provide mosquito nets for every school, in the Kazungula District, where there is a high prevalence of malaria. If you would like to make a donation please clink on this link.

 

 

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THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020 – 2021

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I am delighted to present to you The Butterfly Tree’s Annual Report and Accounts, for our financial year ending on the 31st March 2021. The full version of the report and accounts, including wonderful pictures of our beneficiaries, can be viewed by clicking on this link: Annual Report 2020-21

During the entire year only 3.66% of total expenditure was spent on expenses, 96.34% went into our charitable projects.

Chairman’s Report 

In January 2006 I visited Zambia and Mukuni Village for the very first time, little did I know that 15 years later the charity I founded would still be flourishing. Despite all the challenges of the past year The Butterfly Tree has managed to sustain our existing projects while sourcing new ones. Thanks to the incredible support from our loyal donors, as well as new ones, we continue to implement a diverse section of projects relating to water, food, health and education.

JANE IN THE REMOTE AREA OF DUNDUMWEZI

Though I have not been able to travel to Zambia since February 2020 I am in daily communication with our local team, who have been outstanding. Mindful of the risks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they continued to work tirelessly throughout the year to help those most in need. In March 2020 communities in the Southern Province were still suffering from the effects of a severe drought then COVID-19 emerged. Many of the villages, especially Mukuni, rely heavily on tourism due to their close proximity to the Victoria Falls, A World Heritage site. No one received any income that year, and in a country with such a poor economy, there was no handouts.

NGANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

To support people through this dire situation The Butterfly Tree regularly donated bags of ground maize to orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly, and those that had no means to support themselves. In addition, we offered funding for farming projects. We also provided vast amounts of PPE to rural health centres, schools once they reopened, and the Kazungula Border. Masks were made by local youths and given to the schools. The spread of the virus in 2020 was somewhat contained, but sadly the South African variant took its toll at the beginning of 2021, during this period the Ministry of Health commenced their vaccination programme.

PPE DONATIONS WERE GIVEN TO CLINICS AND SCHOOLS

Though the schools were closed for a three month period the government extended term times by shortening the holidays. During the year a major development took place at  Musokotwane Secondary School after receiving a substantial donation. This included a 1×3 classroom block, science lab, two boarding houses, toilets, and a solar-powered water reticulation system to support a sustainable food production unit. This was one of six that were installed and will be invaluable during the dry season and periods of drought.

SOLAR-POWERED WATER RETICULATION SYSTEM – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL

Vasts amounts of textbooks were donated to schools, which has helped to improve examination results with several of our sponsored orphans gaining certificates after completing grade 12. Ten students were sponsored on degree and diploma courses, with one young man completing a three year course in bio-medics. Orphans were sponsored at Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View, Siavonga, and Kazungula Boarding School. More school leavers are being offered further education opportunities for both academic and skill based courses in September.

VAST AMOUNTS OF TEXTBOOKS GIVEN TO RURAL SCHOOLS

Fundraising during lockdown was difficult and some organisations providing cut their international grants. In April 2020 The Butterfly Tree took part in the 2.6 Challenge, a fundraising event to replace the London Marathon. Despite the short notice our Trustees, volunteers and their families, as well as some of our donors took part and raised a substantial amount of funds for bags of maize and mosquito nets. Later that year The Choirs of Pembrooke College, Cambridge University, held a Bach-a-Thon to raise money for food shortages in Mukuni Village.

DISTRIBUTIONS OF GROUND MAIZE TOOK PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

In addition to installing boreholes in five schools and one for a farming project in Mukuni, solar-powered water reticulation systems were installed at Musokotwane, River View, Katapazi, Singwamba, Matengu and Chaba schools, and Bunsanga Health Post. Seeds were given to schools to grow maize, sorghum and vegetables. Surplus produce was sold to the community, profits are then used to support orphans and to buy school supplies.

DRILLING FOR WATER – CHIKWAMA

Bunsanga Health Post is now in full use and proving to be invaluable for maternity care and COVID-19. We provided PPE to thirty rural health centres as well as medical supplies for Mukuni, Simonga, Mambova and Bunsanga clinics. Support was given to children in need of medical attention and the a project has been initiated to help period poverty with the use of sanitary pads, which are being made by youths in Mukuni.

DONATED ITEMS – SIMONGA MATERNITY WARD

Our peer education programme in HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse, is having an impact. Football and netball teams have been formed in many rural villages to help tackle the above challenges, engaging youths in sport is one of the most successful ways to keep them occupied. We have sponsored football and netball competitions, and this coming year we aim to expand this programme after receiving a substantial donation of football strips and equipment.

SUBSTANTIAL DONATION OF FOOTBALL STRIPS DISTRIBUTED IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

At the forefront of our contribution to the health sector is malaria prevention. COVID-19 took precedence over malaria and other major healthissues, not because the interventions were unavailable but due to the delay in obtaining supplies, and distribution by the Ministry of Health. The Butterfly Tree provided safe insecticidal coating to paint 650 dwellings in Moomba Chiefdom and disbursed larvicide in pools and streams. To provide universal coverage mosquito nets were donated to the schools in this Chiefdom. In addition, Singwamba and Chuunga schools also were added to our ‘mosquito nets for schools’ programme, as earlier this year there was high prevalence of malaria, in Nyawa Chiefdom.

MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS – MALIMBA JUNIOR SECONDARY

Community projects continue to be well supported. In addition to the beekeeping projects for 200 women in Muyunda a new project called ‘Mangoes of Hope’ has been initiated for 200 women in Musokotwane. These will provide sustainable income-generating enterprises for women. A further 12 community houses have been built for orphans and the elderly.

BEEKEEPING PROJECT FOR 200 WOMEN – MUYUNDA

Without the support of our wonderful team of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, none of this could have been achieved. My sincere thanks to fellow Trustees Ann Sutton (Treasurer), Miranda de Freston and Jackie Brown. Miranda has since resigned as a Trustee to concentrate on a local charity in her town. Miranda has been a valuable member of the team for several years and we wish her all the best with her future endeavours. David, Carolyn, Valerie and Leah, provide vital support in administration, fundraising and safeguarding and we are delighted to welcome Meg Over to our team, who volunteered for us in Zambia in 2018. All offer an invaluable contribution to our work. Our overseas volunteers provide furthersupport – Frank Maiolo (US), Marilee Gibson and Katie Kung (Canada).

The Zambian team, comprising of the four Trustees who have been with us since 2006 – Mupotola Siloka (Secretary and project management), Presley Mulenga (education), Martin Mushabati (ground operations), Stain Musungaila (malaria and community projects). Volunteers – Sibeso Maseka (Environmental Technician), Natasha Mufuya and Mafian Sitali (orphan sponsorship and community housing), Lloyd Kasela and Harold Chilikwazi (community projects). Their vital input, in implementing, monitoring and managing the projects on the ground, during a global pandemic, has been remarkable. I cannot be praise them enough for keeping everything moving during these most difficult of circumstances.

Though COVID-19 is still effecting all of us The Butterfly Tree has some exciting projects in place for 2021-22. On behalf of The Butterfly Tree I wish to thank all our donors that have supported us during this challenging year. It is impossible to name everyone, but every donation helps us to sustain our vital programmes in Zambia, to initiate new projects in remote areas, and to reach out to orphans and vulnerable children living in extreme poverty. Opposite are the names of our major donors who have contributed so much to the success of The Butterfly Tree. Our sincere thanks for your generosity and for putting your trust in our grassroots charity. As always we are grateful to Grenfell James, Stratford-upon-Avon for freely verifying the charity accounts. Despite all the challenges we were able to continue running the charity effectively,thanks to Zoom presentations and meetings, virtual fundraisers, and our amazing team of Trustees and volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, and most especially our generous donors.

  • ‘I cannot understate how impressed I am by all the wonderful work you’re doing at the Butterfly Tree. It’s just fantastic!!!! So positive in every way.’ –
    Angela Antonas
  • ‘Life is all about fate and opportunities and it was very much Zambia’s good fortune that you made that trip. You’ve changed the lives of thousands which is something few people can say. I remember seeing you in the foyer of the Zambezi Sun and then visiting the village the following day and then realizing that the sign on the building for Butterfly Tree was you. My favorite charity by miles.’ – John McGhee.
  • ‘I have seen the impact that you have had on the local community in the Livingstone area. You have made a huge positive impact on the life of so many. Respect! ‘ -Thore Larsgard

Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder

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SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND SKILLS FOR VULNERABLE YOUTHS

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Today marks the United Nations World Youth Skills Day, paying tribute to the resilience and creativity of youth through the coronavirus crisis. According to the UN: ‘young people aged 15-24 have been even more severely affected by the COVID-19 crisis than adults. UNESCO estimates that schools were either fully or partially closed for more than 30 weeks between March 2020 and May 2021 in half the countries of the world. In late June, 19 countries still had full school closures, affecting nearly 157 million learners. And 768 million more learners were affected by partial school closures.’

1,700 PUPILS AT RIVER VIEW WAITING FOR SCHOOLS TO REOPEN

After a recent third wave thankfully Zambia’s COVID-19 cases are decreasing but the economy has suffered badly. Schools and colleges have been closed for the past month though examination grades will shortly reopen, as the other grades are currently being reviewed. As always we are in daily communication with our Zambian team who have been able to continue implementing our projects, mindful not to take any risks.

N’GANDU JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL TO SIT EXAMINATIONS

Thanks to The Murphy Family Foundation, Theirworld, and private donors more youths are to be offered colleges and university places. The majority of courses will be skilled based, which will include computing, hotel management, carpentry and welding. Youths that we have previously supported obtained employment and some are now building schools and clinics and earning a regular income.

YOUTHS SPONSORED BY THE BUTTERFLY TREE

On the health front I am delighted to announce that once again we have received a substantial grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission. The project includes a clinic, two staff houses, borehole, a biodigester for waste, equipment and mosquito nets. Katondo and remote communities in this area Nyawa Chiefdom will be the beneficiaries, once complete the Ministry of Health will provide trained medical staff. This facility will help to prevent severe sickness and loss of life, as patients will be treated at an early stage to avoid complications, especially in cases of malaria. In addition maternity care will help to reduce mother and infant mortality and more number children will be vaccinated against preventable diseases.

A NEW HEALTH POST TO COMMENCE AT KATONDO

We continue to reach to more schools in rural areas in need of expanding thanks to generous donations recently received from Kampango, and Common Grounds Charity Cafe, run by volunteers in Kinross, who donate profits to projects such as The Butterfly Tree. Sadly, one of our regular donors who had volunteered as a teacher in Zambia several years ago, passed away. Much to our surprise we received a substantial donation from his estate, which will be used to expand Sichifulo School. With over 900 pupils, some grades have 120 pupils and insufficient teaching space, consequently the school is in desperate need of extra classrooms. A new classroom block will be built in memory of this thoughtful teacher.

SCHOOLS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR CHILDREN LIVING IN RURAL AREAS

According to the United Nation’s International Labour Organisation, globally, youth employment fell 8.7 per cent in 2020, compared with 3.7 per cent for adults. Our aim is to encourage the orphans and vulnerable children we have supported to continue their education after completing high school. In addition to those currently attending colleges and university, at least 20 more youths will be able to enrol in further education to give them a better chance of employment and sustainability.

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WIDESPREAD DEVELOPMENT IN KAZUNGULA

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The past year has been challenging for everyone not least for the charity sector. Though our funding was down on previous years I am delighted to say that we have made a great start to the new financial year. Since the first of April we have received a substantial boost for our health, education, and community projects.

BUNSANGA JUNIOR SCHOOL RECEIVE TEXTBOOKS

The support we are getting from both existing donors and new ones is quite remarkable. As always our aim is to better the lives and opportunities for orphans and vulnerable children in Zambia. Thanks to a substantial donation from The Murphy Family Foundation, further education is to be offered to many more pupils. Those that have been on The Butterfly Tree’s sponsorship programme and completed school in 2020, are being offered an opportunity to go to university or college to gain an academic degree, or a skilled-based diploma. In addition, The Foundation has donated some of the funding for the purchase much needed textbooks.

TEXTBOOKS DONATED TO SINGWAMBA JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

This year we are supporting 9 students at university and college, studying the following topics: teaching, biomedicine, nursing, forward and clearing, and hotel management. Musenga, who was head boy at River View School, has just commenced a three-year nursing course. Owen from Mukuni, was recently awarded a good degree in biomedicine. We are also sponsoring 227 pupils at Mukuni, Ngandu, Kamwi, Ndele, River View and Kazungula Boarding School. So many of you have kindly supported orphans since 2006, for which we are grateful.

MUSENGA (LEFT) WAS HEAD BOY AT RIVER VIEW

Kamwi Junior School is under a development after receiving two private donations. Currently the school goes up to grade 7, after which pupils must walk a distance of 9 km, each way, to join grades 8 to 12 at Mukuni Secondary School. This will make a huge difference, especially for girls, who are vulnerable when walking alone. Expansion is also taking place at Muchambila and Muyunda Primary Schools, after receiving funds from a private donor who previously funded the school’s two classroom blocks.

KAMWI JUNIOR SCHOOL

On the health front, funding received for our malaria prevention programmes, in Zambia, has been significant. The Association of Inner Wheel Clubs have given us overwhelming support with so many of their individual Clubs and Districts donating to this vital cause. Fundraising has not been easy during the coronavirus pandemic, but what they have achieved is commendable. Stratford-upon-Avon Rotary Club recently gave the charity a donation for 300 mosquito nets to help eliminate malaria.

MOSQUITO NETS FOR 609 PUPILS AND TEACHERS – SINGWAMBA SCHOOL

One fundraiser tripled her target to raise money for mosquito nets. The founder of 52 Stitched Stories came up with a wonderful initiative, selecting butterflies as the theme, to raise money for mosquito nets. After gaining a global audience during 2020’s lockdown Fiona, the Founder, recently held a virtual Stitching Festival. Her committment  resulted in raising enough money to purchase 500 mosquito nets.

‘MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS’ HELPING TO ELIMINATE MALARIA

After receiving further support from the Sacred Heart Foundation, London, two mother’s shelters are being built at Siakachapa and Manyemuyemu health centres. These are a great benefit for rural women enabling them to stay close to the clinic prior to the onset of labour. Additional support from this Foundation is funding HIV prevention peer education workshops, which are vital in preventing new case of HIV, teenage pregnancies and alcohol abuse. The Butterfly Tree has added mother’s shelters to the following health centres: Mukuni, Musokotwane, Kasiya, Mahalulu, Mambova, Sikaunzwe and Singwamba.

MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIKAUNZWE RURAL HEALTH CENTRE

After a reduction in COVID-19 Zambia are experiencing an increase in cases this month. We have supplied 13 schools and 10 rural health posts with PPE thanks to a generous donations from Blooms the Chemist, Australia. We continue to be mindful of our local Zambian team that they are taking care to prevent contracting coronavirus, while waiting to receive the vaccination. Currently, it is being rolled out to health workers.

PPE DONATION – BUNSANGA HEALTH POST

Last but by no means least I am delighted to be initiating a further project for 200 women funded by Give a Hand, our Canadian partner. The organisation has previously funded a beekeeping project for 200 women in Muyunda and a mango project, entitled ‘Mangoes of Hope’ for 200 women in Muyunda. Now women in Sekute Chiefdom will be given a chance to have a food producton project, rearing chickens and growing vegetables. These community projects are an invaluable way of providing a sustainable income-generating enterprises for vulnerable women. Besides empowering them it gives them an opportunity to better their lives and to educate their children.

SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION PROJECT FOR 200 SEKUTE WOMEN

We are delighted to be able to develop more schools and health centres in the Kazungula District and would like thank everyone who has supported The Butterfly Tree during these difficult times.

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WORLD MALARIA DAY – 2021

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The theme for World Malaria Day 2021 ‘Reaching the zero malaria target‘

Key facts from the World Health Organisation

  • Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is preventable and curable.
  • In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.
  • The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 409 000 in 2019.
  • Children aged under 5 years are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria; in 2019, they accounted for 67% (274 000) of all malaria deaths worldwide.
  • The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2019, the region was home to 94% of malaria cases and deaths.

The Butterfly Tree is committed to helping the global fight against malaria and reducing the number of malaria cases in Zambia. Working with the Ministry of Health we are targeting areas that have a high prevalence of malaria.

COVID-19 has taken precedence other major diseases like malaria, but they must not be neglected. Unlike COVID-19 children are more susceptible to die from malaria than adults. Our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ project is having an impact, whereby every child and their teachers are given a mosquito nets and monitoring and evaluation takes place. We have proved that this method is highly effective. In the past twelve months the following schools received 2,000 mosquito nets – Bunsanga, Malimba, Kamwi and Ndele and most recently, thanks to a substantial donation from Nick Bousliman, Singwamba and Chuunga.

As a result of the tremendous support we are receiving from the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs in Great Britain, this week a distribution of insecticidal coating and larviciding took place in remote areas of Moomba Chiefdom. Sibeso Maseka, one of our Zambian volunteers, who is an Environmental Health Technician, supervised a team who travelled some 300 km to provide protection in 650 dwellings. When they arrived, they found many people suffering from malaria, with 20 new cases being recorded per day.

Each home was painted with a safe insecticidal coating which is harmless to humans and animals. The mosquito, once it ingests the insecticide, will quickly fly off and die. The paint is effective immediately it dries and lasts for over 12 months. Normal practises are to use a harmful indoor residual spraying which is effective for only 3 months.

In partnership with the Association of Inner Wheel Clubs we have been working with Medical Aid Films who have produced a wonderful animated film on ‘How to Prevent Malaria‘. The Butterfly Tree had the script translated into Tokaleya, the local language used in the area of our work, for the film company and then we handed it over to the Kazungula Ministry of Health. This is now being used in clinics, throughout the District, as one of the main training resources.

The Butterfly Tree has been supporting malaria prevention since 2006 and made a significant impact in helping towards the WHO’s ‘zero malaria target’ in Zambia.

A mosquito net costs just £6 or $9 and could save a child’s life. If you would like to make a donation please click on this link.

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ADVANCING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS

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The new school year started on the 2nd of February and thanks to donations from our supporters at least 30 schools are to receive PPE to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the classroom. The new variant of COVID-19 from South Africa has caused an increase in new cases at the beginning of the year but this appears to be stabilizing and numbers are on the decline. However, protection is paramount for pupils and teachers.

We have some exciting developments taking place all over the Kazungula District. An extra classroom block, science lab, boarding houses, toilets, and a food production unit at Musokotwane Secondary School will provide advanced and extra facilities to cater for a greater number of pupils. The Murphy Family Foundation have generously funded this as well as a recent donation for Mathematics textbooks and PPE.

MUSOKOTWANE ADVANCED SECONDARY SCHOOL NEARING COMPLETION

Examination results are currently being given out and one of the hardest subjects to pass is Mathematics. After doing some research I learnt that the main reason for poor results is lack of textbooks. In most cases pupils must learn from the blackboard and only have notes for revision and homework. Therefore, we are currently raising funds to provide Maths books in rural schools, the donations given to each schools will be monitored and evaluated at the end of the year.

TEXTBOOK DONATION FOR RIVER VIEW SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOLS

The new school year commenced a month later than usual due to the pandemic. Once again, we are sponsoring over 200 orphans and vulnerable children. Thank you to everyone who supports this programme, most especially the Mukuni Village Fund, Australia, who sponsor 40 pupils. We are also funding six students to study at college and two at university.

AUSTINE AND JOHAN STUDYING AT UNIVERSITY IN LUSAKA

A new teacher’s house for Muyunda, a remote community in Nyawa will soon be completed to add to the classroom block we opened in 2019, and a classroom block at Nguba has now been finished. We are still locating schools in remote areas where the only building is a mud and pole structure, built by the locals and run by untrained community teachers. Due to the weak kwacha, we are able to build facilities much cheaper than in the past.

TEACHER’S HOUSSE – MUYUNDA SOON TO BE COMPLETED

To create sustainability, we help communities to help themselves, thanks to our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, we have two substantial projects being created for women. In Muyunda the beekeeping project for 200 women is doing well. Following on from the workshop and toilets 200 hives were made, a borehole and ponds were installed and a plantation of moringa trees has been added for protection, flowers for the bees and nutrition for the community. The aim is to make and sell honey, soap, candles and crayons.

BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENT FOR MUYUNDA

In another area, a project called ‘Mangoes of Hope’ in Musokotwane in Chiefdom, also funded by Give a Hand is underway. Our trained youth builders are currently constructing a workshop, drying area and toilets. Once complete 200 women will be able to produce dried mangoes, jams, chutneys, and tea, and make colourful bags and basket ware for packaging.

WORKSHOP UNDER CONSTRUCTION – MUSOKOTWANE

After 35 years teaching in rural areas Presley Mulenga has retired. I met Presley in 2006 when I first visited Mukuni Junior School where he was Head Teacher for thirteen years, after which he was transferred to River View in 2014. I have worked closely with him for 15 years, his selfless dedication to education and commitment in helping orphans and vulnerable children has impressed me most of all. Having Presley on our team is invaluable. He gave me an insight into the education system in Zambia, helped me to identify areas lacking in schools, and to initiate the orphan sponsorship programme. We wish his all the very best in his retirement and delighted that he will remain as a Trustee for The Butterfly Tree NGO in Zambia.

PRESLEY MULENGA – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL

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THE BUTTERFLY TREE 2006-2021

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Fifteen years ago today I flew to Zambia for the first time, little did I know that it would not only change my life for the better, but it would result in helping to change the lives of thousands of orphans and vulnerable children in one of the poorest countries on the planet.

TRADITIONAL DWELLINGS – MUKUNI VILLAGE 2006

Since the founding of the charity in 2006, and subsequent registration in 2007, The Butterfly Tree has considerably expanded. It began with sponsoring a few orphans in Mukuni Village and over the years it has developed into an accomplished organisation. Our work covers a vast area of the Kazungula District where we have built new schools and health centres, installed boreholes and water reticulation systems, initiated feeding programmes, implemented an advanced malaria prevention programme, and build houses for orphans and the elderly.

JANET, SPONSORED BY THE CHARITY, COMPLETED MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL – DECEMBER 2020

What has helped to sustain the charity is using volunteers and registering our own NGO in Zambia, as well as the continual support from our donors, many of them have been with us from the beginning. Along the way we have gained hundreds of donors from all over the world. I am totally overwhelmed by the support we have received, and by the dedication of our wonderful trustees and volunteers who make everything happen. They have risen to the challenges of working in an area of extreme poverty, where both HIV and malaria are prevalent. More recently they have helped to raise funds, and provided emergency relief for communities, suffering from food shortages, due to a severe drought.

EMERGENCY FOOD RELIEF – MAMBOVA COMMUNITY

Now with the COVID-19 pandemic we are facing a challenge on a scale that none of us have ever before experienced. HIV started off as an unknown virus, but now thanks to medical advancement and the development of antiretroviral drugs, people can live long and healthy lives. Amazingly, in barely a year since the pandemic was announced by the World Health Organisation, the coronavirus vaccines are being widely distributed. Zambia is expected to start the vaccination roll out in February, which will be a great relief as the new coronavirus variant from South Africa is spreading rapidly.

HAROLD, ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS, DELIVERING PPE TO BUNSANGA HEALTH POST

Due to the recent increase in coronavirus cases in Zambia the opening on the new school year has been postponed until the 1st February. Projects that are taking place out in the open, such as the construction of the school expansion at Musokotwane, the teacher’s house and Muyunda, community houses for widows and orphans, and both the beekeeping and mango projects, will continue. As always we are mindful of the need to protect our volunteers and beneficiaries therefore, as before we are providing PPE to as many rural health centres as possible, and to schools when they open next month.

BEEKEEPING PROJECT FOR 200 WOMEN – MUYUNDA

In 2021 our aim is  to sponsor more orphans and continue to fund eight colleges and universities students. Fourteen pupils who were under sponsorship completed high school in December, without our support they would have dropped out of school at an earlier stage. Though the orphan sponsorship is the core of The Butterfly Tree, our WATER, FOOD, HEALTH and EDUCATION projects have a significant impact on vulnerable children in remote areas of Zambia. We have many more exciting projects ready to implement once it is safe to do so.

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12 STORIES OF HOPE – DAY 12

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HOPE OF A BETTER FUTURE
In 2006 Jane Kaye-Bailey visited Mukuni Village and met three little girls who showed her their humble home and proceeded to follow her round the village. Three weeks after returning to the UK Jane decided to go back to Zambia to see how she could offer help to this poor community. Firstly, she wanted to find the three girls but only had a photograph and no names. After showing the photo to several people the following day, she arrived in Mukuni to find the three shy little girls sitting under a tree patiently waiting for her. After learning they lived in extreme poverty and could not afford to go to preschool, Jane offered to sponsor them.
Despite all the hardships, and two of them each losing a parent, the girls have worked hard to gain a sound education. Esnart was made Head girl, excels in public speaking, and after completing school in 2019 is now training with the police. Angela will shortly enter her final year at high school and has also been given the position of Head girl as a result of earning good grades. Cynthia, despite struggling academically, has persevered, and starts high school in January. This is just one story of the hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children The Butterfly Tree has helped to educate. Thousands more have better health and education facilities, access to safe water, improved sanitation, feeding programmes, and prevention against malaria.
Wishing all The Butterfly Tree Charity donors, volunteers and beneficiaries a Happy Christmas. Thank you all for the tremendous support you have given us and for putting your trust in us, most especially during this challenging year. We hope that the New Year will bring you good health, peace and prosperity.
Donations can be made using either of these links:
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STORIES OF HOPE – DAY 8

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Textbooks for schools – Zambia’s education structure has 7 years at primary school, 2 and 3 years at junior and higher secondary school. Age is flexible as many children are late starting school due to extreme poverty. Pupils can complete high school up to the age of 22. Facilities in rural areas are lacking in resources, educational supplies, equipment and sporting facilities. There is a huge shortage of textbooks in schools, some classes have only one to share between 60 pupils, for some subjects a teacher may have to take copies of the curriculum. This is most difficult for examination grades, especially those wishing to gain good results in order to proceed to higher education. The Butterfly Tree raises funds to provide textbooks in schools, and after monitoring classes whereby each pupil is given a textbook, exam results have considerably improved. In one instance in Mukuni Junior School every grade 7 pupil passed their exams.
‘Thank you for the donated learner’s textbooks. They have greatly helped to improve learner’s academic performance. Learners now have materials in terms of textbooks to use for their studies while away from school. They use them as reference materials for their homework, and also for research as well as reading literatures.’ Kingsley Hamachila – Head Teacher, Mukuni Secondary School.
Donate a textbook this Christmas for £7 or $10.
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12 STORIES OF HOPE – DAY 2

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N’GANDU SCHOOL
Since the school first opened in 1947, it had seen very limited development due to a lack of resources and funding. We recognized a need in this community and set to work. Children of N’gandu like the boys pictured here require proper facilities while at school. The organization added 1×3 and two 1×2 classroom blocks as well as three houses for teachers. To further improve facilities and sanitation, a borehole, toilets and a water reticulation system were put in. Having access to safe, clean water for drinking and to provide a sustainable feeding programme for pupils making it easier for students to learn.
Most of the orphans attending the school are being sponsored by The Butterfly Tree. When Johanne and Austin, from the remote village of Chibule, passed for Mukuni high school for three years they walked ten miles, each way, every day to better their education. Currently, both of them are studying to become teachers at a university in Lusaka.
Help us do more good this holiday season!