During my recent visit to Zambia is was apparent that our support is having a substantial impact on orphans and vulnerable children. No more so than at River View secondary school where I found motivated pupils who are keen to complete their education and aspire to a better future. At the end of term assembly it was wonderful to hear, first hand from the pupils under our sponsorship, just how much they embrace going to school and that our support is very much appreciated.
After the Ministry of Education announced their decision to separate secondary and primary schools The Butterfly Tree is currently constructing an additional classroom block for River View secondary school. This school is located in Kazungula, an area where there is a high level of HIV and social challenges. A further 1×3 classroom block at Musokotwane was completed last month. Included in the donation are desks, computers and science equipment as well as power for the entire school. The Murphy Family Foundation generous funded the development of these two secondary schools.
We are initiating more projects to empower young people and promote football to keep them occupied. A recent donation from Carnforth Rotary Club to buy kits for 22 members of the under-seventeen girls’ team at River View, has boosted their confidence.
Twenty seven special education pupils at Mukuni were each given a sports kit so that they may compete in inter-schools athletics competitions. The donation included a football and netball. This month two volunteers from the UK are offering sports coaching and after school activities, as well as helping in the special education and mainstream at Mukuni primary school.
Thanks to a substantial grant from Give a Hand, Canada, young people with physical and mental health challenges from Mukuni, Ngandu and Kamwi, have been given the opportunity to be involved in income generating enterprises. These include chicken rearing, and vegetable and crop growing. A workshop and chicken coop are soon to be completed. A borehole and water system situated in Kamwi village will provide a continual water supply for vegetable growing. College courses for six young people, and skills training are also being offered.
The request for boreholes has increased considerably since the onset of the drought. So far this month we successfully drilled three boreholes at Katondo, Siamuya and Masamu Muyumu schools, each will be shared with the neighbouring villages. Boreholes were also installed at Ndele health post and for a community project in Senkobo. I saw the impact that the drought is having on the people. According to scientists this is mainly due El Niño and climate change and is the worst in over 40 years. As more streams and shallow wells become dry, people will become desperate for water. The next rains are not due until October.
Everywhere I drove I observed perished fields of maize, sorghum and millet – food is in short supply. The nation has lost half its crops due to lack of rain. Vegetables, normally grown in abundance during the rainy season, were in short supply as the extreme heat in March caused seedlings to wilt. Elderly women told me that the only food they had to eat were nuts and wild vegetables. Many people I met were already reduced to one meal per day. During the next few months we will be sourcing grant aid and appealing for donations to buy bags of maize. A 25kg bag of maize, which will feed a family of four for three weeks costs £10.
Despite all the challenges thousands more orphans, vulnerable children, and young people are being empowered.
If you would like to make a donation please click on this link or contact jane@thebutterlytree.org.uk
Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder
