This week we heard on the news that over half of England is officially in drought according to the Environmental Agency. Despite having one of the wettest winters on record the lack of spring and summer rain has resulted in drought conditions.
Sadly, the majority of people in developed countries do not preserve water. We leave taps running when brushing our teeth, we take long showers, we pump gallons of water on to our lawns, and use a hose to wash our cars. If you live in a country like Zambia, when the dry season lasts from April to November, access to a water supply is not taken for granted.
DRINKING WATER DURING THE DRY SEASON – KASHU SCHOOL
Last week The Butterfly Tree successfully drilled a borehole for a new health facility we are about to construct. Thanks to a further generous grant from the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission the people of Maile Male and neighbouring communities will have a health post by the end of 2026. The development includes a main clinic, two staff houses, toilets, and a bio-digester for waste. Once completed the facility will be fully equipped before handing it over to the Ministry of Health who will provide trained medical staff and ongoing costs.
DRILLING FOR WATER – MAILE MALE
This area of Kalomo District has a high malaria prevalence. The health post grant includes a donation of 1,200 mosquito nets to distribute to schools in this remote area. The Butterfly Tree will provide a further 1,000 nets so that more children can be protected.
MOSQUITO NETS PROVIDE VITAL PROTECTION FROM MALARIA
On other health matters our trained peer educators are busy conducting workshops in schools to educate pupils on HIV, teenage pregnancies, early marriages, and drug and alcohol abuse. This past week two of the biggest secondary schools Riverview and Mukuni were engaged in this programme. These workshops are invaluable. The trained peer educators are former sponsored orphans who received extensive training from UK volunteers.
RIVERVIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL – PEER EDUCATION WORKSHOP
A family from Texas is in Mukuni this week volunteering at the school and within the community. John Staab owner of Motive Real Estate has been donating to The Butterfly Tree for many years. He donates a community house for every house he sells. He and his son are building houses for orphans in Mukuni while his wife and daughter are helping at Mukuni secondary. The entire family helped to plant seeds for the school garden and donated items to the health centre.
VOLUNTEERING – BUILDING A COMMUNITY HOUSE
The second 1×2 classroom block has been completed at Mukwela primary school to reduce the numbers of pupils per class. The one for special education pupils is already in use. With an enrolment of 1,267 pupils the new classrooms will provide extra learning space and help to alleviate reduced teaching sessions. The primary school caters for children from early learning to grade 7. We have also donated 60 double desks and special education materials.
MUKWELA PRIMARY SCHOOL – 1X2 CLASSROOM BLOCK
We are so grateful for the tremendous support we continue to receive with more projects on the horizon for health and education. Thank you to everyone for your generosity and kindness.
No doubt many of you are suffering from the extreme heat we are currently experiencing in the UK. Fortunately, I can cope with these temperatures. When I visit Zambia in March and October when it can reach over 40 degrees. Children walk several kilometres to and from school. Women carry water from streams and shallow wells some distance to their homes. Health workers are operating in clinics where there is no air conditioning.
PUPILS FROM NGANDU SCHOOL WALKING HOME
Zambia is now in the ‘dry’ season which lasts from April to November. Water is essential to irrigate vegetables gardens and boreholes are vital when streams and rivers run dry. Funds permitting, we continue to install boreholes and water systems in areas where schools and communities are dependent of streams and shallow wells. One school has greatly benefitted from a fundraising campaign organised by Alissa, a former volunteer of The Butterfly Tree, who helped at Kamwi Primary School.
ALISSA AND HER, HUSBAND ANDY, VISITING KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL
The school is now providing a sustainable feeding programme for pupils after an area was cleared and fenced, and an irrigation system was put in place. The school shop also received support and profits raised from the sale of goods are helping to fund extra activities for the pupils.
KAMWI SCHOOL VEGETABLE GARDEN
Another successful fundraiser initiated by former England Rugby player, Victor Ubogu, who wanted to build a new school for Simukumbwa, resulted in the development of an entire new school! In early 2025 a 1×2 classroom block was constructed. A second 1×2 classroom, a staff flat for two teachers, and another house for the head teacher followed. Toilets, a solar-powered water system and a feeding shelter added further facilities for the school and to complete the project, desks and textbooks were purchased. Finally, five orphans received sponsorship, for a period of five years. The school is now complete and will shortly be upgraded to a primary school.
SUMUKUMBWA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
The two classroom blocks we constructed at Mukwela Primary school will be in use next month. One for the special education class funded by Give a Hand, Canada, as well as toilets for the pupils. A recent donation from St James’s Place Foundation will pay for the equipment and educational materials. The second one is for Mukwela’s primary section, funded by one of The Butterfly Tree’s private UK donors, a Professor and former university lecturer in Zambia. His generosity has enabled us to build classrooms for Chabalanda, Kamwi, Malombe, Katubya, Mukuni, Namachele, Nguba and Mukwela schools.
MUKWELA SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM BLOCK
Mosquito net distributions have been taking place in Mulobezi District for the past two weeks. A further 2,550 mosquito nets were handed out to school children to protect them from contracting malaria. In this remote district in Western Province malaria is endemic. Every year medical officers record high numbers of malaria cases and loss of life. The Agnus Lawson Memorial Trust approved a three-year grant to support our ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools’ programme in this area, and also support in Kazungula schools.
MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS – MULOBEZI DISTRICT
I am delighted to announce that The Butterfly Tree has received two awards this year. Firstly, from Acquisition International after being voted as the best ‘Education Non-Profit Organisation of the Year 2026’ – UK. Secondly, we received a British Business Excellence Award for the second year running along with this encouraging message: ‘This prestigious recognition highlights the charity’s dedication to quality, innovation, and outstanding service within the industry.’
None of the above progress would have been achieved nor would we have won any awards had it not been for the generosity of our donors, and the dedication and commitment of our trustees and volunteers in the UK and Zambia.
Despite the abundance of rain between November and April there are an estimated 6 million people in Zambia who do not have access to clean water.
In the past month The Butterfly Tree has successfully drilled five more boreholes. The first one was for Kapulanga community in Musokotwane, and the second one was for Simundia in Mukuni. These were followed by three drills in Kalomo District at Mudenda, Busilibi and Mabwa Atuba. The latter two are for schools but will be shared with their communities. A special thanks to Nick Bousliman and Alex Ottewell for their continued support of our water projects.
MABWA AND ATUBA SCHOOL BOREHOLE
A much needed mother’s shelter was constructed at Nguba Rural Health Post thanks to Blooms the Chemist, Australia. Previously, women who live a long distance from a health facility, slept in an old mud and pole structure that was inadequate. Women are encouraged to stay close to the health post prior to the onset of labour to avoid home births or giving birth while traveling long distances, which can result is loss of life.
MOTHER’S SHELTER – NGUBA
We are making great progress at Mukwela School in Kalomo District. The special education classroom block, funded by Give a Hand, Canada, is almost complete. It will shortly be handed over to the Ministry of Education who will provide trained teachers and ongoing costs. This unit will help at least 80 pupils with physical and mental health challenges at Mukwela and attract more special needs children from neighbouring villages.
MUKWELA SPECIAL EDUCATION CLASSROOM BLOCK
In addition to the special education unit we are building a second 1×2 classroom block for the mainstream section at Mukwela primary school. With 1,267 pupils using the two old classrooms and a third one built by the community, the school is unable to accommodate everyone. Lessons are shortened due to lack of learning space. The new block is being constructed by Jafter and Dennis who were sponsored by The Butterfly Tree from grade 7 to grade 12 after losing the parents. Subsequently they received further sponsorship to attend college to learn building skills and are now earning an income as certified builders.
JAFTER AND DENNIS CONSTRUCTING A 1X2 CLASSOOM BLOCK
The new term started last week and more orphans and vulnerable have joined the orphan sponsorship programme. The sponsorship costs £110 per annum or £10 per month and pays for all education requirements, including uniforms, shoes, bag, books, and stationery.
SPONSORED ORPHANS – KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL
Last but by no means least many thanks to everyone who supported our malaria prevention appeal last month. In addition to individual donations we received a substantial cheque from Solihull Inner Wheel Club after giving a presentation to their members, and also one from Arbury Inner Wheel Club where one of our volunteers gave a talk at their club. The funds have enabled us to provide more mosquito nets for school children at Nguba Secondary and Singwamba Primary. The malaria parasite is currently prevalent in this area where children are taking some time to recover after treatment.
MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS – SINGWAMBA DISTRIBUTION
We are extremely grateful to the Agnus Lawson Memorial Trust for the second payment of a three-year project to help the fight against malaria in Mulobezi District. Every year this remote area in Western Province records high numbers of malaria cases. Our ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools’ is proving to be effective in helping to reduce the number of malaria cases and absenteeism. A further 2,550 mosquito nets were delivered to the Mulobezi Heath Centre on Saturday and will be distributed by the Ministry of Health.
Globally in 2024, there were an estimated 282 million malaria cases and 610 000 malaria deaths in 80 countries.
The WHO African Region carries a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden.
In 2024, the WHO African Region was home to 95% of malaria cases (265 million) and 95% (579 000) of malaria deaths.
Children under 5 accounted for about 75% of all malaria deaths in the Region.
The Butterfly Tree is passionate about supporting the fight against malaria and initiated a programme entitled ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools‘ in 2017.
We have donated thousands upon thousands of mosquito nets. Most recently in the Mulobezi District in Western Province of Zambia. In 2025 there were 43,937 malaria cases recorded. Thanks to a generous grant from ALMT over 3,000 school children in the district have received mosquito nets.
MULOBEZI MOSQUITO NET DISTRIBUTION
After learning that a school boy from Nguba Secondary School had recently died after contracting malaria we donated 900 mosquito nets to this school and nearby Singwamba Primary, thanks to a further donation from ALMT and theSouter Charitable Trust. I was informed by a Ministry of Health malaria elimination staff member that this year the cases in Nyawa area are severe and that children are taking longer than usual to recover, after treatment.
NGUBA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Until the malaria vaccine is widely available prevention is imperative. The impact of our ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools’ whereby every child and teacher takes ownership of a mosquito net, has been substantial. Reports show that malaria cases and absenteeism from school have been significantly reduced.
SINGWAMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL
We urgently need more support to protect children in areas of high malaria prevalence in rural Zambia. We give the mosquito nets directly to the children who receive education from a medical personnel on how best to use the nets and how to seek medical attention if symptomatic.
A mosquito net costs just £6 ($8) and could save a child’s life. If you would like to make a donation for our World Malaria Day appeal, please click on this link: or contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk
I recently returned from Zambia after a beneficial and rewarding trip. It was wonderful to see the abundance of water in the streams and rivers, and most especially cascading over the spectacular Victoria Falls. After the severe drought of 2024 when there was barely a trickle of water to be seen, the site this year is absolutely breathtaking along with the mighty Zambezi River bursting its banks.
As always, I tried to visit as many schools and projects as possible, though some of the tracks to outreach areas were in inaccessible. After the successful construction of Katanda Health Post, funded by the Guernsey and Overseas Aid and Development Commission, I drove to a remote area in need of a medical facility in Musokotwane. The tracks were barely visible, streams were full and after checking with some villagers along the way, we were informed that we could only reach Mombeulia using an ox and cart! I decided this was two risky for our local team and myself. It was disappointing but it’s only the third time in 20 years that I have failed to reach a destination.
ROAD TO MOMBEULIA
The highlights of the trip were to visit Riverview Secondary school and Mukwela Primary. Funded by the Murphy Family Foundation a third classroom block has been completed at Riverview and the enrolment has reached 1,037 pupils. The school held an opening ceremony and official handover with pupils providing entertainment in the form of song, dance and poetry. The school is vibrant – teachers are committed and pupils are motivated.
NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVERVIEW SECONDARY
The following week I visited Mukwela Primary school where we are currently building a 1×2 classroom block for children with special needs, thanks to a generous grant from Give a Hand, Canada. I was deeply touched when two pupils welcomed our team using sign language. The school has 1,267 pupils and learning takes place in two old classrooms and one recently built by the community. I was taken into classrooms that accommodated between 110 – 140 pupils, the highest numbers I have encountered anywhere. Surprisingly the pupils sat in an orderly manner and appeared to be happy and receptive.
MUKWELA PRIMARY SCHOOL
This impressive community had also installed a water system and planted two fields of maize to support a feeding programme for pupils. After a brief discussion with my fellow trustees we unanimously agreed that we should offer more support to this primary school. To ease the congestion construction on a further 1×2 classroom will commence next week, much to the community’s delight.
140 PUPILS IN ONE CLASSROOM – MUKWELA PRIMARY
Kamwi Primary school has a new school garden ready to plant vegetables for a sustainable feeding programme after a successful fundraiser by Alissa, a former volunteer. Ngandu school received a donation of educational items from Make A Medic, while Mukuni Secondary benefitted from a donation from some visitors who I took to Mukuni and Kamwi Villages. Mukuni secondary also received a boost to their Home Economics department from Family, Career and Community Leaders of America in Virginia.
KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL GARDEN
The final stages of Simukumbwa Community school will be completed this month and should shortly be upgraded to primary status. This is one of our biggest primary schools to date, funded by Victor Ubogu and donors attending the Pre-Lions Rugby lunch held in aid of The Butterfly Tree last June. The facility comprises of two 1×2 classroom blocks, a staff flat for two teachers, a head teacher’s house, a water system and feeding shelter. Desks, office furniture and textbooks have also been provided.
SIMUKUMWA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
We received a substantial donation of school furniture from Waste to Wonder sent from the UK in a 40 foot container. Items included computer desks, cabinets, office chairs and 50 computer monitors. The Murphy Family Foundation kindly funded most of the shipping and clearing costs. The new classroom block at Riverview was fully equipped, other beneficiaries were Singwamba, Namachele, Mukwela, Simukumbwa primary schools and Nguba secondary.
NEW DESKS FOR RIVERVIEW SECONDARY
We will shortly commence drilling boreholes and funding is in place for six sites thanks to Nick Bousliman and Alex Ottewell. In the meantime, we repaired water systems in Mukuni Village and their secondary school last month after a storm had caused damage. Despite the abundance of rain people living in rural areas who do not live close to rivers and streams must dig shallow wells. The water is polluted and can cause disease.
BOREHOLES ARE NEEDED IN RURAL AREAS
We have added more orphans to the orphan sponsorship programme after 17 sponsored pupils completed school in December. I met with orphans at Mukuni, Ngandu, Kamwi, Riverview and Muskowatane and wish to thank all the new and existing sponsors who generously support this worthwhile programme. Those awaiting details of orphans will shortly receive the information.
SPONSORED ORPHANS – RIVERVIEW SECONDARY
Last but by no means least we received further support from the Agnus Lawson Memorial Trust for our ‘Mosquito Nets for Schools’ programme to help prevent school children from contracting malaria. The organisation is currently funding our malaria prevention programme in Mulobezi District. Some other areas are reporting serious cases of malaria, and sadly, one boy from Nguba Secondary school recently died before reaching a health clinic. Mosquito nets have been sent to this school and nearby Singwamba Primary.
MALARIA PREVENTION – MULOBWEZI DISTRICT
I am delighted to inform you that we have just completed our financial year end, which has been our second most successful year since the founding of the charity in 2006. As always, I am extremely grateful to everyone who has supported The Butterfly Tree and look forward to initiating more projects this year.
The Butterfly Tree is making sound progress in improving the education system for children with special needs in Zambia. After the success of the project in Kazungula in 2025, the recent one for Kalomo District will shortly have a 1×2 classroom block added to Mukwela Primary school specifically for pupils with special needs. This project has been funded by Give a Hand, Canada and will be completed by May.
SPECIAL EDUCATION 1X2 CLASSROOM BLOCK
To date teachers from 350 schools have received training on how to teach children and young people with physical and mental health challenges in an inclusive education system. Following on from the training sessions teachers are eager to learn sign language which will transform the lives of children with hearing impairment. Please copy this video link which shows a pupil learning sign language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StwMflzAF4A
YOUNG GIRL LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE
Our biggest health post to date is about to open and will provide facilities for over 13,000 people in Katanda and surrounding villages. This project has been welcomed by the Ministry of Health’s Doctor in Charge of Kalomo District ‘Who knew that this abandoned corner of Kalomo will one day have a clinic? This will indeed help to reduce the long distances our patients move to access health services.’ Homebirths were common putting both the mother and infant at risk. The new health post will cater for general practice, testing and treatment for malaria, HIV and TB, family planning, maternity, antenatal and postnatal, and infant vaccinations.
NEW HEALTH POST – KANTANDA
We engaged three teams to construct the buildings, which include a main clinic, mother’s shelter for pregnant women to stay close to the clinic prior to the onset of labour. There are two staff houses, four double VIP latrines, a bio-digester for waste and a complete solar-powered water system. This facility will have a significant impact on the communities. It will help to improve health, especially in children. Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, Health and Well-being.
MAIN CLINIC – KATANDA
Sadly, there has been an increase in malaria this year due to heavy rains and lack of vector control. To support the fight against malaria, were included in this grant aid, which has helped to protect 1,000 school children. In addition, The Butterfly Tree donated a further 350 mosquito nets to protect children and teachers at Katanda and Chipondo Primary schools.
DONATION OF MOSUITO NETS – CHIPONDO PRIMARY SCHOOL
The construction of a mother’s shelter at Nguba health post is now under construction with a further one to be added to Boombwe Health post, thanks to a successful fundraiser by Blooms the Chemist, Australia. Regular support from the company pays for medical equipment for three rural clinics.
MOTHER’S SHELTER FOR NGUBA HEALTH CENTRE
Next month we aim to start drilling more boreholes with funding in place for six schools and communities to have access to clean water.
MANY SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES STILL IN NEED OF CLEAN WATER
Kamwi primary school has been busy preparing a school garden to create a sustainable feeding programme for pupils thanks to Alissa, a former volunteer at Kamwi school, who is raising funds through her and her husband’s Mad or Nomad website. The school shop has been restored to generate further income for the school and feeding programme.
KAMWI SCHOOL GARDEN PREPARED FOR VEGETABLE GROWING
Seven women’s project are to be expanded so that they can provide more food security and generate further funding to support their families and communities. A new group will also be selected next month. Further training is to be offered from the University of Zambia’s Agricultural Department, funded by the International Development Research Centre of Canada.
SORGHUM CROP
At least 25 new community houses are to be constructed for orphans, widows and the elderly from Motive Real Estate, Texas. For every house this company sells, the owner donates money for a community house. Some of the orphans are living in shocking conditions like the dilapidated mud hut seen below. The Butterfly Tree constructs bigger and stronger traditional dwellings, using both local materials and builders.
ORPHANS CAN BE FOUND LIVING IN THESE CONDITIONS
The three secondary schools which we have developed at Riverview, Musokotwane and Nguba are to receive a donation of school furniture from Waste to Wonder, a company that turn office clearances into opportunities for change. The Murphy Family Foundation has kindly donated most of the shipping costs with a contribution from Waste to Wonder.
2026 has got off to a great start thanks to your tremendous support. I am looking forward to going to Zambia and aim to send more positive news on my return.
2026 has got off to a great start with the success of the Christmas Appeal and new donations forthcoming in January.
Twenty years ago this week I visited Zambia for the very first time. Little did I know that this trip would be a life-changing experience, not only for me, but for the thousands upon thousands of orphans and vulnerable children whose lives have been transformed.
After visiting Mukuni Village and learning of the high number of children that were unable to attend or continue their schooling after losing their parents, I wanted to do something to help. In March 2006 I returned to Zambia with David, my younger son, to distribute items we had collected, and to donate the funds we had raised to sponsor orphans, for Mukuni primary school and for the health centre.
JANE, DAVID AND PRESLEY – MUKUNI PRIMARY SCHOOL 2006
Initially my aim was to find sponsors for orphans. However, after learning that there was no secondary school in the entire Kazungula District we set about raising money for one in Mukuni, which opened in February 2007. We have since developed secondary schools at Riverview, Musokotwane, and most recently Nguba, and advanced the facilities at Kauwe and Nyawa secondary schools.
SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR OVER 700 PUPILS AT NGUBA – OPENED JANUARY 2025
To date we have provided support to 78 schools. Many schools, like Silelo, Bunsanga, Ndele and Simukumbwa that were originally mud and pole structures, have permanent infrastructure. Others have been given additional classrooms, science labs, computer rooms, staff houses, boreholes, toilets, educational supplies and sports equipment. The Ministry of Education employ the teaching staff, an ongoing cost that we do not have to provide.
ONE OF TWO CLASSROOM BLOCKS – SIMUKUMBWA
After subsequent visits to Zambia I soon learnt that education was only valuable if children had clean water, enough food and basic healthcare. Hence the reason why we have added 87 boreholes and 10 complete solar-powered water systems to provide safe drinking water, and food security for schools. We have constructed health posts at Mahalulu, Mambova, Sikaunzwe, Katondo, Boomwe and Mabwa in Kazungula District, and the one at Katanda in Kalomo District, is about to be completed. Existing health centres have received maternity wards and mother’s shelters, medical supplies and equipment.
MATERNITY WARD – MUKUNI HEALTH CENTRE OPENED IN 2007
Other invaluable projects we have initiated are for malaria and HIV prevention, special education, community housing and many more. After 20 years I am as passionate about helping children to have a better life as I was back in 2006. The Butterfly Tree was registered as a UK charity and a Non-Government Organisation in Zambia in early 2007 and is run entirely by volunteers, enabling 96% of money raised for charitable purposes. Three of our Zambian trustees have been with me from the beginning. We have generous donors who have continued to support us since the founding, and thankfully we manage to attract new support every year. We remain a grassroot charity working directly with the local people. The orphan sponsorship remains the core of our organisation.
SPONSORED PUPILS – MUSOKOTWANE SECONDARY SCHOOL
2026 has got off to a great start with funding in place from Nick Bousliman and Alex Ottewell for more boreholes. Thanks to a grant from the Petter Stebbings Memorial Charity two boreholes were recently drilled at Nguba Rural Health Centre and Siamusunse school. Now that the rainy season is in full swing drilling will recommence when it is dry enough for the rigs to access new sites.
BOREHOLE AND HANDPUMP – SIAMASUNSE PRIMARY SCHOOL
We have also received funding to build another 1×2 classroom block from one of our regular donors. Construction is underway for a special education unit at Mukwela Primary School after receiving a grant from our Canadian partner, Give a Hand. The unit will be bigger than the one we opened in 2009 at Mukuni which has enabled children with various challenges to gain a sound education. The grant also includes funding to expand the training of teachers in special education.
MUKUNI SPECIAL EDUCATION UNIT – OPENED IN 2009
The first training session was initiated in 2024 in Kazungula District as a result of seeing for myself how these special needs children are neglected. I thought of the idea of training teachers on how to ‘teach children with physical and mental health challenges in an inclusive education system.’ Most have no option other than to attend a mainstream school where class enrolment can be 60 to 100 pupils, if they are to gain an education. This is tough if you have hearing or visual difficulties, or intellectual impairment.
CLASSES WITH HIGH PUPIL NUMBERS CANNOT CATER FOR SPECIAL NEEDS
In early January teachers from 190 schools in the Kalomo District received training on the above and each school was given a training manual which we produced last year. A report from the Head of Special Education for this district included these words: ‘The training was attitude changing on the way society perceives people living with disabilities.’ As a result, schools indicated that they were going to accommodate learners in inclusive classrooms and open special units for learners that may not benefit from inclusive classrooms.
ONE OF FOUR TEACHER TRAINING SESSIONS – KALOMO
On health matters a mother’s shelter is under construction at Nguba Health Centre, funded by Blooms the Chemist, Australia. More mosquito nets to add to the 1,200 already distributed to schools near Katanda, an area where malaria is prevalent, will be delivered next month. The new health post at Katanda, funded by the Guernsey Overseas Aid and Development Commission, will shortly be completed. The facility includes a clinic, mother’s shelter, two staff houses, a water system, toilets and bio-digester for waste.
KATANDA MAIN CLINIC WILL OPEN IN MARCH
A school garden is being developed at Kamwi Primary school after a successful fundraiser by Alissa, a former volunteer of The Butterfly Tree. The women’s food security projects will again be advanced, with new ones added thanks to a donation from one of our US supporters.
A SUSTAINABLE FEEDING PROGRAMME FOR KAMWI PRIMARY SCHOOL
I cannot thank our donors, trustees and volunteers enough for their generosity, loyalty and commitment. I once read this African proverb ‘If every little person did a little bit, the world would be a better place.’ Your donations, however small, have helped to sustain The Butterfly Tree for twenty years.
The time for festive cheer and celebrations is fast approaching and we have launched our annual Christmas Appeal. As in previous years we are raising money to buy bags of ground maize for orphans and vulnerable families, and mosquito nets to help protect children from contracting malaria. In addition, we have added mother’s shelters to the list.
100% of all donations for the appeal will be go directly into the cause, nothing will be deducted for administration or personal fees.
Mosquito nets have a substantial impact on reducing the number of malaria cases, especially in children. They can prevent severe disease and loss of life.
MOSQUITO NETS CAN HELP TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM MALARIA
The mother’s shelters provide accommodation next to a clinic, so that women have a place to stay prior to the onset of labour. This facility can provide a safe place to stay when the nearest clinic is a distance of 20km from home. Our aim is to provide permanent buildings to replace mud and pole structures that are totally inadequate during the rainy season.
MOTHER’S SHELTER – NGUBA RURAL HEALTH CENTRE
Thanks to a Blooms the Chemist, Australia who held a successful fundraiser for The Butterfly Tree, Nguba and Boombwe Rural Health Centres mother’s shelters will be constructed in the New Year. However, more are needed so that all clinics have a mother’s shelter like Simonga, which we built in 2019.
MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIMONGA RURAL HEALTH POST
Food is always in short supply at this time of the year. Though the rains have started it will be a few months before the crops are ready. Therefore we donate bags of ground maize to orphans and vulnerable people for Christmas. The women’s food security projects continue to flourish so at least people have vegetables to eat until crops are harvested.
ZWANGA WOMEN’S FOOD SECURITY PROJECT
Women from four of these projects received extensive training on food production last month. Funded by the International Development Research Centre and implemented by the University of Zambia. The Butterfly Tree was selected as the beneficiary for Livingstone District, for the three-year project. This season we donated seeds and fertilizer to eleven food security projects to expand their production units.
TRAINING ZWANGA, SIAMBALELE, MUSOKOTWANE AND SENKOBO WOMEN
Another borehole was drilled for Muumba community in Kalomo District. We have funding in place for two borehole. As well as water projects we fund sanitation to help prevent Diarrhoeal diseases. VIP latrines have recently been constructed at Musokotwane secondary school, Simakumbwa Community school and Katanda Health Post. The health post, which includes a clinic, staff houses, mother’s shelter and bio-digester for waste should be completed by the end of December.
VIP LATRINES – SIMUKUMWA COMMUNITY SCHOOL
Thanks to a substantial donation from Motive Real Estate, Texas at least twenty more orphans, widows and elderly people will have new homes. For every house this company sells, money is donated to the charity so that we can build a community house.
COMMUNITY HOUSE FOR AN ORPHAN AND GRANDMOTHER
Christmas is the season of goodwill and time for giving. Thank you to everyone who has made a donation towards our Christmas Appeal. A mosquito net costs just £5 ($7), a 25 bag of ground maize is £10 ($14) and a mother’s shelter currently costs £4,500 ($6,000). Any amount, however small, will really help!
If you would like to make a donation you can find the different payment options by clicking on this link.
Wishing everyone the very best for Christmas and good health, peace and happiness in the New Year.
I have just returned from Zambia after spending three weeks in the baking heat visiting many of our projects and catching up with the orphans and vulnerable children on The Butterfly Tree’s orphan sponsorship programme. The temperatures soared to 41 degrees but the good news is that the much needed rains have started, bringing new life and hope to these remote communities.
THE ROAD TO KATANDA
The furthest site I reached was Katanda in Kalomo District where we are building a health post thanks to a generous grant from the Overseas Aid and Development Commission of Guernsey. The distance to Kalomo from Livingstone is only 130 kms, but it was a further 75km arduous off-road drive to reach the site, making it a fourteen hour round-trip! The project includes a clinic, a mother’s shelter, two staff houses, a water system and bio-digester for waster. Great progress was being made and once the constructions are finished we will provide all the necessary equipment. Mosquito nets for children were also included in the donation. The facility will be handed over to the Ministry of Health after completion.
KATANDA RURAL HEALTH POST
On the topic of health, we donated medical equipment and supplies, including an oxygen concentrator, to Simonga, Bunsanga and Mambova health posts. Blooms the Chemist, Australia offers vital ongoing support to these three facilities. The company recently held a fundraiser to offer further funding for our health programmes in rural areas of Zambia.
DONATED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT – SIMONGA CLINIC
A substantial donation was received from Nick Bousliman, one of our major donors, in September. The funds have been used to purchase 2,000 mosquito nets. These have been distributed amongst school children living in ‘malaria hotspots’ in Kaloma and Kazungula Districts to help prevent children from contracting malaria. This donation also enabled us to drill boreholes for Maila Male primary school and for the following communities: Milangu, Sheleni and Syamwiya, with more to follow. Additionally, seeds and fertilizer were given to advance eleven food security projects for women and rural communities.
NEW BOREHOLE – SIYAMWEYA COMMUNITY
Two further boreholes have been drilled this month, one for a Nguba Rural Health Centre and one for Siamusunse Community school. The handpumps and protective fencing will shortly be in place. These were funded from a grant from the Peter Stebbings Memorial Charity.
I managed to reach some of the women’s projects, including Musokotwane and Sekute Central. At Musokotwane the women told me that their sorghum harvest was successful and that they are continually growing vegetables, including tomatoes, eggplant and okra.
WOMEN’S FOOD SECURITY PROJECT – MUSOKOTWANE
Sekute Central women were delighted to share the fact that the profits they gained have been used to buy more seeds and that they are able to provide food for vulnerable people in their community. What was so pleasing to hear was that the produce for both projects, apart from what is used for home-consumption, is sold within their communities as opposed to taking it to the markets in Livingstone and Kazungula. This saves time and transportation costs.
WOMEN’S FOOD SECURITY PROJECT – SEKUTE CENTRAL
As for our education projects this year we are adding further infrastructure to three secondary schools. An additional 1×3 classroom block will shortly be completed at Riverview secondary. Prior to our support there was no secondary school at Riverview. We first built a 1×4 classroom block in 2015. This was followed by a science lab and three more 1×3 classroom blocks, two boarding houses and toilets. The pupil enrolment at the secondary school is now 1,038. Thanks to the generous support of The Murphy Family Foundation Riverview continues to flourish.
EXTRA LARGE 1X3 CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVERVIEW SECONDARY SCHOOL
The Murphy Family also funded another boarding house for boys, and toilets for girls at Musokotwane secondary school. Another donor helped us with an additional 1×3 classroom block and a boarding house for Nguba secondary school, which opened in January 2025 and continues to enroll more pupils.
NGUBA SECONDARY SCHOOL
Further development is taking place at Simukumbwa community school, after Victor Ubogu’s successful fundraiser. The second classroom block, feeding shelter, staff houses and toilets are under construction. The new water system is in place. This is a substantial project and a huge bonus for this remote community in Kalomo District. I did not manage to reach the site this time due to the distance and heat but one of our local volunteers visits the site regularly and reports back to us.
OLD SCHOOL – SIMUKUMBWA
As always it was a pleasure to meet up with pupils being sponsored by The Butterfly Tree. I visited them at the following schools: Mukuni, Ngandu, Kamwi, Riverview, Kazungula Boarding school, Senkobo and Musokotwane. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to meet all of them due to examinations taking place. A further twenty pupils on sponsorship will complete grade twelve in December.
SPONSORED PUPILS – RIVERVIEW
Last but not least, some of the sponsored pupils who completed grade twelve and were offered university and college courses gained degrees last month! Charity was awarded a teaching degree and is currently doing her work experience at Riverview, the school she attended up to grade twelve. Henry gained a degree in Bio-medicine, while Kenneth and Christopher gained degrees in accountancy. Esnart gained a college diploma in journalism and Bright a diploma in accountancy. This was a rare opportunity, which they all embraced, and potentially life-changing.
HENRY, CHARITY AND KENNETH – MULUNGUSHI UNIVERSITY GRADUATES
We continue to receive tremendous support, which has enabled us to make sound progress in all categories – water, health, education and food security. I wish to thank all our generous donors, trustees and also Presley, Martin, Stain, Natasha and Lloyd for implementing and managing our many grass root projects in Zambia.
I have pleasure in presenting The Butterfly Tree’s latest Annual Report and Accounts for 2024-25.
Please scroll below to view the full report, including the accounts and images which can also be found on theCharity Commission website. Should you wish to keep a copy simply click on the download button.
I would also like to share with you an endorsement from Kindlink our main online donation platform:
‘The Butterfly Effect in Action: How One Non-Profit is Creating a Sustainable Cycle of Leadership in Zambia!
This week, we are filled with pride as we share a story from The Butterfly Tree Charity, a truly remarkable member of the KindLink nonprofit community!
Since 2006, their mission has been guided by a simple, powerful belief: ‘Every child has a right to education.’ In rural Zambia, they turn this belief into reality for thousands of orphans and vulnerable children by building classrooms, providing safe drinking water, and funding sponsorships.
But their impact goes far beyond buildings and books. It’s about unlocking human potential, and the results are inspiring. Some of the children supported by the organisation are now accountants, nurses, bio-medics, and teachers. While the trained builders who went to college are earning a living constructing The Butterfly Tree education and health facilities, supporting their own communities!
And in the most beautiful example of this “butterfly effect,” one girl, sponsored in grade seven, has now become a Trustee for The Butterfly Tree’s NGO in Zambia, where she manages the entire orphan sponsorship programme – the very programme that gave her a chance.
This is what real, sustainable change looks like – it’s a cycle of empowerment! What is more, their incredible work was recently recognised with the ‘International Support Non-Profit Organisation of the Year 2024′ award and a UKBEA Paramount Business Certification in 2025 for their innovation and effectiveness.’
PRESLEY, NATASHA AND MARTIN – THREE OF THE ZAMBIAN TRUSTEES
On behalf of the trustees, our NGO team in Zambia and all beneficiaries, I wish to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported us during this particularly difficult year. Your donations provided funds for food distribution and boreholes, at a time when aid was most needed. As we approach our 20th year since the founding of The Butterfly Tree it is astonishing that so many of you continue to support our grassroot charity. Thank you!
