THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2022-23

Posted on September 21, 2023 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

On behalf of The Butterfly Tree I am delighted to present our Annual Report and Accounts for 2022-23. Please click on the link below to view or download the full report, the accounts, images and graphs.

Annual-Report-and-Accounts-2022-23 Download

Chaiman’s Report

In May 2022 I was able to return to Zambia for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our local team who I had not seen for over two years greeted me with open arms. It was wonderful to back to spend time with them and to visit the many projects The Butterfly Tree has initiated in the past couple of years. I also visited in March 2023 when I was invited to meet Chief Nyawa, who is the traditional leader of the biggest Chiefdom in the Kazungula District with over four hundred villages. He was overwhelmed by the number of projects we have implemented and most appreciative of the support the charity has shown to his people. He actually asked me why I do it! I do it out of compassion for orphans and children who are born into extreme poverty, to give them hope.

The Butterfly Tree won two more awards: ‘Best Education Charity of the Year’ – Scotland Prestige Awards and ‘HIV Support Non-Profit Organisation of the Year’ – Central England Prestige Awards

We continue to received substantial donations to support our orphan sponsorship programme and education projects. In addition to pupils being sponsored at Mukuni, Kamwi, Ngandu, Ndele, River View, Lumbo, Senkobo and Kazungula Boarding School, we have added Musokotwane to the list. Orphans can be found in every village living with elderly grandparents who do not have a source of income. The programme has helped hundreds of children to complete high school and beyond. Six students who completed school after being on The Butterfly Tree’s orphan sponsorship programme are currently attending university reading the following courses: microbiology, engineering, teaching, journalism, and two are learning accountancy. A third student is studying to be an accountant at college and two are enrolled at a nursing college. In addition, eleven students are learning skills at colleges in Livingstone. These include forward and clearing, catering, building, carpentry, and plumbing.

Throughout the year schools received donations of textbooks and desks. Three special education classes at Mukuni, Katapazi and Simonga shared a donation of educational materials. Our trained peer educators conducted workshops to talk to school children of all ages about the dangers of HIV, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and alcohol and drug abuse.

After the completion of Katondo Health Post, which is now in full operation we received further grant aid to build a health post at Boombwe, a remote area in Musokotwane. The project included a clinic, two staff houses, toilets, a borehole, a biodigester, and medical equipment. Once it is fully operational people will no longer have to walk long distances to seek medical attention. Simonga, Mambova and Bunsanga health posts received monthly donations of medical supplies and 1,150 mosquito nets were distributed to help the global fight against malaria. These were given to teachers and school children in areas where malaria is most prevalent.

The builders that we sponsored are gaining more experience. They constructed a 1×2 classroom block at Mubuyu community school and two teacher’s houses at Musokotwane secondary school. They started another 1×2 classroom block at Malombe community school to replace the mud and pole construction, which was their main classroom. A further classroom block was built at Mukuni Primary School, and one other classroom and the special education class also at Mukuni underwent restoration work.

The most challenging of our projects is to provide safe drinking water. After receiving a substantial donation, we successfully drilled boreholes at Katubya, Malombe and N’gandu schools, the latter received a full water reticulation system to create a sustainable school garden as well as providing drinking water. A water system was also installed at Boombwe health post. Sadly, we could not find water at one school, after three attempts. This is costly and disappointing for the pupils and teachers, but when a drill is successful it is one of the most exhilarating sights as I have ever seen. The joy and jubilation for a community to have fresh water for the first time is so rewarding. In addition to improving health, it saves hours of time collecting water from polluted streams and rivers. More boreholes are to be drilled in the coming months.

During my visit to Zambia in May last year I was joined by a volunteer from Costa Rica. Jonathan, an eco-tourism consultant, first volunteered for the charity in 2013. This time he came to initiate the Mukuni Village Tours. Mukuni with its close proximity to the mighty Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination. Tour operators charge between $50 – $120 for just a two-hour visit. After selecting school leavers from our orphan sponsorship programme Jonathan spent a month training them to become guides to take visitors on a tour of Mukuni Village and also the Victoria Falls. The aim is for them to have a sustainable enterprise, which is being offered on Airbnb Experiences and Trip Advisor.

As tourism picks up after the pandemic more volunteers and visitors are expected. To help safeguard the children and communities where we work all volunteers must have a DBS certificate or the equivalent in their country. They are accompanied by one of The Butterfly Tree NGO team, a teacher or medical worker. Participating as a volunteer can be a life-changing experience – four of our UK team joined the charity after volunteering in Mukuni.

The women’s projects are progressing well. Honey production, mango produce, chicken rearing and vegetable growing are providing communities with an income. The one in Sekute is so successful that the women donate some of their profits to the elderly, disabled and widows. This coming year we aim to initiate a project for young people with physical and mental challenges and those living with HIV. Rarely do they get an opportunity to earn an income.

Eleven community houses were built for orphans, widows, and the elderly. The most vulnerable are helped and in the case of orphans the homes are shared with their siblings.

In addition to raising awareness of the dangers of HIV, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, alcohol and drug abuse through our peer education programme we encourage young people to get involved with sport. After the success of the boys’ football tournaments, we have encouraged girls to form teams – tournaments took place during the Christmas period at Singwamba and Mukuni. Since forming these teams all the girls in the Mukuni team passed grade 7 and 9 examinations.

A special thanks to my fellow trustees Ann, Jackie and Anthony, who provide support behind the scenes in accounting, safeguarding and fundraising. We were delighted to welcome Anthony O’Neill to the Board in October 2022, who has been a keen supporter of the charity for several years. Many thanks to volunteers David, Carolyn, Leah, Valerie and Steven for giving up their free time to help with IT, fundraising, youth projects, and child protection and safeguarding. Thanks also to Frank Maiola, our US representative. Much of our success is owed to our incredible team of Trustees in Zambia. They work tirelessly to initiate, manage and monitor all our projects. Mupotola Siloka (secretary/project management), Rev. Presley Mulenga (education), Martin Mushabati (community projects/sport) and Stain Musungaila (malaria prevention and community projects). Each of them has volunteered for the charity prior to and since the registration of the NGO in 2007. Also, thanks to our Zambian volunteers who manage a variety of programmes. Natasha Mufeya, (orphan sponsorship/peer education/girls’ empowerment), Mafian Sitali (orphan sponsorship) and Lloyd Kasala (community projects, Nyawa). All our members both in the UK and Zambia are volunteers and are committed to helping young people to change their lives for the better.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder

CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER AND SUCCESS FOR ORPHANS

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

With less than a month to go until Christmas Day The Butterfly Tree is appealing for donations to purchase bags of maize for vulnerable children and families, and the elderly. At this time of year food is in short supply as there has been no rain for six months. Communities and schools are busy ploughing their land, but it will be another few months before crops are ready. There is a great deal of hunger, and many people are surviving on just one meal a day.

As the rainy season approaches this is also the time of year when children are in need of protection from malaria. Our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ programme is proving to be highly effective. Each pupil and teacher are given a mosquito net to prevent contracting malaria. According to the World Health Organisation ‘in 2020, nearly half of the world’s population was at risk of malaria. Most cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa.’

For just £6 ($7) we can purchase a 25kg of ground maize or a mosquito net. 100% of all donations will be used for this purpose, nothing will be deducted for admin or personal fees. If you would like to make a donation, please use this link to see the different payment options: DONATE

The Zambian school year is about to close and all the sponsored orphans and vulnerable children are being given a bag of ground maize. Now in its sixteenth year the orphan sponsorship programme has helped hundreds of individual children. A further twelve pupils have just completed high school, some of them have been on the programme from grade one through to grade twelve. This opportunity is life-changing and gives children, who live in extreme poverty, hope and a chance of a better future.

MULIMA HEAD BOY AT MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL IN 2022

In addition, ten students participating in skills courses at Libes college in Livingstone, have also completed and waiting for their certificates. The courses included building, carpentry, plumbing, catering, and forward and clearing. Seven students are currently on degree courses, thanks to The Murphy Family Foundation.

DAVID, ALICE, THABO, ALICE AND AUGUSTINE COMPLETE COLLEGE

We are delighted to welcome John Staab a long-term sponsor and volunteer, to Mukuni. His company, Motive Real Estate, Texas donates a community house to orphans and widows for every house he sells. John has also funded the restoration of a classroom, which he is currently working on with our local team. Volunteering is a great way to experience local culture and to see a traditional way of life. Past volunteers, like John, loved this life-changing experience and continue to support The Butterfly Tree.

It’s mango season in Zambia and women in Musokotwane are busy drying mangoes, and producing jam and fresh juice. ‘Mangoes of Hope’ initiated by The Butterfly Tree and generously funded by our Canadian partner, Give a Hand, will not only provide food security for the women but also give them a sustainable income to support their families.

With focus on the World Cup taking place in Qatar we are delighted to have been chosen as the nominated charity partner for the 2023 Blackpool Cup. The Butterfly Tree supports football for youths as well as empowering girls to help prevent them being enticed into early marriages, teenage pregnancies, and drug and alcohol abuse. Blackpool Cup has given a generous donation to fund a tournament in Zambia and will promote our work at their International Youth Football tournament next year.

A donation, however small, to our Christmas Appeal can really make a difference to a protect a child against malaria or to feed a family. Please click on this link if you would like to make a donation: DONATE

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT IN HEALTHCARE

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

My sincere apologies for the delay in sending a newsletter. The reason is not because there wasn’t anything to report last month, quite the contrary, as we are about to complete one of our most successful years since the founding of The Butterfly Tree in 2006. The reason is because we are relocating!

For the past 16 years the charity’s head office has been in Warwickshire. All our Trustees and volunteers, throughout the country and internationally, work from their homes. Nothing will change as regards our concept but I am moving to Surrey so that I can live closer to my family. For the next few months the charity will be registered, at no cost, at a temporary address, which will be listed on the website.

THE BUTTERFLY TREE SUPPORTS ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN ZAMBIA

The Butterfly Tree has donors from all of the UK as well as globally. Moving to a new area gives us the opportunity to engage more schools, clubs and organisations. What appeals to donors is that we do not deduct any administration, personal fees not office space, which enables us to give between 96-98% of all money raised to those most in need.

ONE OF THE TWO HOUSES FOR MEDICAL STAFF – KATONDO

One of our most vital projects is that of healthcare. Thanks to a substantial grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission this month we have completed the construction of a much needed health post at Katondo in a remote area of Nyawa. The main clinic is 53km from Katondo and the only other clinic is in Western Province, a distance of 23km. During the rainy season when tracks become inaccessible people must to one of these clinics to seek medical attention. Consequently most women must deliver their babies at home. This worthwhile project includes a clinic, two staff houses, a borehole, biodigester, toilets, equipment, and a donation of mosquito nets.

ONE OF THE TWO MEDICAL STAFF HOUSES – KATONDO

Sadly, malaria has increased this year, not just in Zambia but globally. The World Health Organisation recently stated that a third of the increase is due to COVID-19, not because there is a lack of interventions but because of the delay in distribution. In Moomba Chiefdom, where is an epidemic, The Butterfly Tree has donated insecticidal coating to paint the inside of dwellings – when a mosquito lands on the paint it flies off and dies. Mosquito nets have also been donated to schools in Nyawa, Moomba, and in the Ngezi area will be next. We are very grateful to the Association of Inner Wheels Clubs for their commitment in helping us to eradicate malaria.

DISTRIBUTION OF MOSQUITO NETS – SICHIFULO SCHOOL

Three other health posts at Simonga, Mambova and Bunsanga are being regularly supported thanks to donations from Blooms the Chemist, Australia. We have two school leavers from our orphan sponsorship programme studying nursing. Two young men who recently completed a degree in teaching while waiting for their results are volunteering for The Butterfly Tree. Besides offering extra tuition to pupils who failed exams they are going to hold workshops to help prevent HIV and teenage pregnancies in Kamwi, Ngandu and Mukuni.

JOHN AND AUSTIN, AFTER COMPLETING THEIR DEGREES, VOLUNTEER FOR THE BUTTERFLY TREE

Other education projects currently being developed are a classroom block at Mubuyu, a science and classroom block at Sichifulu, support for Kamwi school and a donation for desks and lab stools for Mukuni Secondary School from Arnewood School. Currently we are sponsoring 21 students at several colleges and universities who are taking the following courses: teaching, accountancy, journalism, engineering, pharmacy, nursing, forward, catering, building and welding. The Murphy Family Foundation and private donors have provided the funds. Other pupils, like Gertrude, opted to seek employment. Out of 200 applicants Gertrude was one of only five to be selected as an administrator on a Hospital Management team. In her own words: ‘Thank you for picking me from being a street child to who I am today, I lost both her parents when I was young and had no hope of going to school. I went on to complete grade 12 with 3 merits and 4 passes because of The Butterfly Tree.’

MATILDA, FROM A REMOTE AREA IN NORTHERN PROVINCE, NOW ATTENDING NURSING COLLEGE

In addtion to our health and education projects more boreholes are to be installed, further development for the women’s mango and chicken and vegetables projects funded by Give a Hand, and additional houses for orphans and the elderly are to be built. After receiving intensive training on the production of mango products the 200 women in Musokotwane are delighted that they will shortly have a sustainable income-generating enterprise.

TRAINING IN MANGO PRODUCE FOR 200 MUSOKOTWANE WOMEN

From the 17th March The Butterfly Tree will no longer be based in Warwickshire, the new address will be listed on our website on Thursday. Everything else will remain the same. As we approach our financial year end I would like to thank everyone for the tremendous support we have received not just for this past year, but since 2006.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

THE BUTTERFLY TREE ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 2020 – 2021

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

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

FUNDRAISING AND ONLINE DONATIONS

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

After seven years of excellent service Mydonate is closing on the 30th June. Since 2012 British Telecom has provided us with a free platform to facilitate our online donations. We have recently conducted extensive research and pleased to announce Kindlink a new platform that has similar values and tools, and is easy to use. In addition we have registered with PayPal Giving Fund, which is 100% free or you can use the normal PayPal method – charities are given a reduced rate of 1.4%.

STUNNING MURAL, WITH CHILDREN ADDING THEIR ‘BUTTERFLY’ HANDPRINTS PAINTED BY LUCY MACHIN

For those donors and sponsors that pay monthly through Mydonate, you can either switch to Kindlink or the simplest way is to set up a monthly standing order through your bank. Should you prefer this method please contact us for our bank details. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and hope that you will continue to support our worthy cause.

MONTHLY DONATIONS CAN HELP AN ORPHAN TO BE EDUCATED

The continuing severity of the food crisis is taking up a great deal of our time, fortunately, the first quarter of our new financial year has got off to an amazing start, which has enabled us to reach areas in much need. A huge thank you to everyone who has sent in donations, we are distributing over 4,000 bags of maize in Mukuni, Sekute and Nyawa Chiefdoms. Sadly, we appear to be the only charity offering assistance and people are desparate. As yet, nothing has been forthcoming from my continual pleas to the big organisations.

MAIZE BEING STORED READY TO TAKE TO OUTREACH VILLAGES AND SCHOOLS

Schools and individuals have helped us by setting up their own Facebook pages to raise funds. All you need to do is add a donation button to your page and support The Butterfly Tree, this is a totally free service. Lucy, who recently volunteered in Zambia, raised a considerable amount of money using this method, as well as painting the stunning mural, pictured above. Our thanks to Tring School for their successful fundraiser for the food crisis.

THE CHARITY IS DAILY DISTRIBUTING BAGS OF MAIZE

We are looking forward to receiving more volunteers and visitors this year. These include pupils from Arnewood School in Hampsire who raised money for a boarding shelter, Daemon College, New York to volunteer with medical staff at Mukuni, and Blooms Pharmacist, Australia, who are generously donating a maternity ward for Simango Health Post. In addition Margaret and Casey, long standing donors, are to visit with their family, who have donated latrines and a borehole.

SIMONGA HEALTH POST TO HAVE A MATERNITY WARD

There are so many ways to fundraise and one of the easiest is to get your schools and communities involved. I was recently contacted by a passionate football fan from Scotland who has set up Pepe’s Zambia Football Foundation. Scott, the founder, is collecting football strips and raising funds to advance football for rural schools and local teams in Zambia. We are delighted to form a partnership, which will help to boost our ‘Butterfly Sport‘ project to tackle HIV, teenage pregnancies and other social issues.

SCOTT’S SON PICTURED WITH ANDY ROBERTSON, SCOTLAND’S CAPTAIN & LIVERPOOL PLAYER, WHO SIGNED MEMORABILIA TO AUCTION

If you require further information about using the new donation platform, need our bank details or would like to do some fundraising for The Butterfly Tree, please contact me via email: jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Orphan Sponsorship and Child Protection

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

As many of you know The Butterfly Tree has successfully run an orphan sponsorship programme since 2006. Thousands of orphans have benefitted from our support, which includes better education and health facilities, access to safe water and school feeding programmes. All our work revolves around vulnerable children in rural areas of Zambia.

RIVER VIEW SCHOOL – 1,250 PUPILS HAVE ADVANCED EDUCATION FACILITIES

Due to the recent allegations that have come to light concerning Oxfam volunteers, we would like to assure you that we take Child Protection very seriously and do everything in our power to ensure that the children we support are safe. Because of these issues we are currently updating our Child Protection Policy, which will shortly be published.

YOUNG RURAL CHILDREN – MUKUNI CHIEFDOM

Our volunteers in Zambia are made up of local people, most of them have been with us since the founding of The Butterfly Tree. The orphan sponsorship programme is overseen by local women and school teachers, with the exception of Kamwi School, where Mafian, a former beneficiary, checks on the welfare of orphans and sources new ones that need support. The peer education programme for HIV prevention is organised by former sponsored orphans.

MAFIAN – FORMER SPONSORED PUPIL OVERSEERS ORPHANS IN KAMWI

Most of our UK volunteers help with administration and fundraising only, and do not work ‘hands on’ in Zambia. All of us that do visit Zambia, and other volunteers, including international ones, have to produce a DBS or the equivalent from their country, and must be dedicated to helping the cause rather than using it as a holiday.

LEAH – FORMER VOLUNTEER IN ZAMBIA NOW A MEMBER OF THE UK TEAM

For the past ten years we’ve welcomed an array of teachers, nurses, social workers and business people who have provided invaluable assistance within the communities, schools and clinics. They are accompanied by members of The Butterfly Tree, school teachers or medical officers. To strengthen our aim to protect children and vulnerable people we are also updating our criteria and selection process, and will only accept those volunteers who have something worthwhile to offer.

VOLUNTEERS – CANADIAN & AUSTRALIAN VOLUNTEERS REFURBISHING MUKUNI CLINC

On a positive note – at the start of this new school year in Zambia we have offered sponsorship to many more needy children thanks to gaining new sponsors, as well as existing donors, including the Mukuni Village Trust, Australia, and others that have agreed to support an orphan after their original pupil completed school. Though the orphan’s results are not always the best, many of these young people have gained a sound basic education, progressed to further education or sought employment.

MUKUNI HIGH SCHOOL – PUPILS ON THE ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME

We apologise to those of you who are awaiting updates and details of new orphans, and will be in touch as soon as the Child Protection Policy has been approved. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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.

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

Orphans Give Back

Posted on May 10, 2016 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Coming from remote villages in Zambia the majority of children have to walk daily, from one to ten miles each way, to seek an education. The facility may only be a mud hut with an untrained teacher, but the eagerness to learn, shown by these vulnerable children, never seizes to amaze me. Education is everything to them.

Bunsanga Community School in need of a Permanent classroom

Since 2006 The Butterfly Tree has run an orphan sponsorship programme for children who have lost one or both parents. Several hundred children have received a sound basic education, now many of the original beneficiaries have completed school.

Josias Muuba now a trained pre-school teacher

Over the past ten years we have build a considerable number of schools and teachers houses, installed bore hole and latrines, improved the health facilities, all for the benefit of the orphans. In addition we have provided vast amounts of educational material, sports and classroom equipment and much needed boarding shelters to enable older children to attend High School.

Singwamba Primary School development funded by Attraction Tickets Direct

What has impressed me most is the desire for these educated orphans to give back to their community. Jacob, when he completed grade 12, thanked me and added ‘What can I do to help The Butterfly Tree?’ He has since been a volunteer at Mukuni Health Centre, helped us with the orphan and malaria prevention programmes, and is about to start his final year at agricultural college.

Jacob helping with the malaria prevention programme – Chuunga Village

Others like Josias, Edwin, Natasha, Joe, Sammy, Florence, Mufiani, and Etkin have followed suit by volunteering for the charity. Most importantly many of them have become trained peer educators in HIV prevention, a programme that was written especially for these young Zambians by Mutsa Marau, one of our UK volunteers. Natasha and Bridget are full time volunteers at the clinic.

Former sponsored orphans turned peer educators

‘Catch me I’m a Butterfly Tree’ teaches school children about the dangers of HIV and AIDS, early teenage pregnancies, STI’s and drug and alcohol abuse. I spent several days in March observing and working with these young peer educators, it was truly inspirational. They are motivated role models and the ones that will make the change for their peers and families to lead healthier lives.

Bridget, Natasha and Florence conducting an HIV prevention workshop – Mukuni

When funds are available we sponsor orphans to go to college. The courses include hotel management, teaching, engineering and computing to name but a few. The British and Foreign School Society sponsored 20 students, out of these 18 have sought employment. Our aim is to source funds to provide further education opportunities for the orphans, and to create a training centre for young entrepreneurs.

Petronella employed as a maid at Avani Hotel, saving for teacher’s training college

A message from Petronella:

‘I would like to thank you for the sponsorship you gave me towards my education. I believe that for me I am where I am today because of you and can’t imagine how I would have ended up if I hadn’t been offered the chance to get an education.’

We are so grateful to everyone of our sponsors, most especially the Mukuni Village Trust in Australia, who have sponsored between 40 and 50 orphans for the past several years and the Callaways who have annually sponsored 15 orphans since 2008.

If you would like to sponsor an orphan to go to school or a student to go to college, please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Fundraising for Education

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Last month I was delighted to learn from Gumtree that The Butterfly Tree was to be the beneficiary for a fundraising activity, taking place in April. The aim was to upcycle an old and unrepairable Beetle and turn it into a number of unique pieces of furniture and household items.

Max McMurdo ready for action

To achieve this Gumtree engaged TV personality Max McMurdo of Reestore and a team of designers, upcyclers and bloggers to report on all the action. They had just six days to complete the task, and then the items would go on sale.

Max and some of the designers

Several of the team, including Max, worked tirelessly throughout the week, with volunteers increasing over the weekend. I was invited over to Bedford to observe the production line and meet the team, it was so exciting that I returned on the Saturday to see the items taking shape. A bed, a dressing table, chairs, lamps and wall clocks were just some of the ingenious designs unfolding.

Garden seat in the making

Gumtree are now selling the items on their Beetlemania site. All proceeds, including an incredibly generous offer from the company to match the funds raised, with be donated to The Butterfly Tree. 100% of the money raised will go to to building a much needed classroom block for the 1,050 children at River View School, where there are as many as 80 pupils per class.

Beetlemania Table Lamb

On behalf of the charity I would like to thank Gumtree, Max McMurdo and all the dedicated volunteers who generously offered their expertise and gave up their time to support our cause in Zambia.