Orphan Sponsorship in Zambia

Posted on September 4, 2013 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

It is difficult to comprehend the scale of the decimation caused by the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Zambia. With a population of barely more than 14 million the nation has over 700,000 orphans, primarily as a result of HIV and AIDS. Virtually all of the Butterfly Tree’s work revolves around the orphans and we strive to give them hope for a better future. Our aim is to provide a sound, basic education for as many rural children as funds permit. It is not possible for every child to be accepted on our orphan sponsorship program as there are so many, but we can help in other ways by improving the education facilities in these remote schools and helping them to generate sustainability.

Twin brothers Siakuba and Aaron sponsored orphans

Creating global awareness is paramount – the poverty levels are extreme. Under normal circumstances Zambian families can support themselves by living a simple lifestyle, but when they have the addition of several orphans to feed and educate they are pushed below the poverty line. Two thirds of the entire nation lives on less than £1 ($1.5) per day. Our aim is to develop sustainability in rural schools and communities so that every orphan has a chance to be educated.

Every child has a right to be educated

We have many people helping us to achieve this through fundraising, sponsorship and volunteering. Last month we welcomed Thomas Mills High School, whose pupils raised funds to build a sustainable school shop for Mukuni Basic School. Camping out in the classrooms, two groups totalling thirty pupils from Suffolk, set about building the facility, which will be used to make and sell uniforms as well as school supplies. Students assisted in the classrooms and participated in creative activities and on the sports ground. Furthermore in July we had Kayleigh Blake and Vicky Higgs, two UK volunteers, assisting at Mukuni Basic School, as well as Saga Volunteer Travellers Gill Waterton and Richard Reid, who have also just completed a month’s volunteering. Their support and generosity was invaluable to grades seven and nine who will be sitting exams later in the year.

Students form Thomas Mills High School

While it is essential for these vulnerable children to complete their education it is not always possible to seek employment once they leave school. Mukuni Village is close to the mighty Victoria Falls, a major tourist destination, but there are not enough jobs for everyone and unemployment is high. To take advantage of the surroundings and the abundance of visitors to the area we are initiating an Ecotourism project. In July I visited Zambia with Jonathan Sedo, an Ecotourism consultant from Costa Rica, who is submitting a project plan to The Butterfly Tree. Volunteer, Emma Kennedy, an International Development student will assist with the initial stages of the project. This is a great opportunity for Mukuni orphans and school leavers to be involved in an income-generating enterprise.

School leavers with Jonathan Sedo learning about Ecotourism

The orphan sponsorship program has been running since 2006, many of the children have now reached high school, some have already completed school whilst others are just starting. We have extended the program to help children in the following schools: Mukuni, N’gandu, Kamwi, Siamasimbi and Ndele and many more need help. If you would like to sponsor an orphan please click on the link.

Africa Day 2011

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Africa – love it or hate it there is no in between The heat, dust, poverty, corruption, violence that is how many sceptics describe this vast, parched continent, but have they ever actually visited the real Africa? The second largest and second most populated continent, Africa has huge geographical diversity and a mixture of many different cultures. In the middle of some of the most volatile countries on the planet is a haven called Zambia, totally land-locked yet boasting some of the best wildlife in Africa and the magnificent Victoria Falls. It borders eight other countries including Zimbabwe, Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola.

The breathtaking Victoria Falls – Zambia

Today marks Africa Day and the one thing that unites all Africans is their love of music – they are born with rhythm! From their very first steps to adulthood they are natural dances and love performing at schools, in churches and at community gatherings – song and dance are part off their traditional heritage. Surrounded by such extreme cases of poverty and deprivation music can bring a light relief and is a great way to spread awareness of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. The Butterfly Tree is working with a number of volunteers who are helping to raise funds to help the fight against these devastating diseases. Basement Entertainment supports our malaria prevention program. Brendan Mission, through Music Earth Rise is currently raising funds to build a music centre in Mukuni Village. The pupils will be able to use it to hold concerts, drama and workshops.

Africa Day: Mukuni Basic School performing a tradtional dance

To make any lasting progress the HIV/AIDS situation has to be addressed. In Mukuni alone almost 50% of the children are orphaned, whereas one in six adults are HIV positive. We have a number of programs to help tackle this enormous problem but more funds are needed. As always education is the key and this coming year we are fortunate to have several volunteers, including Mutsa Murau, who want to work with the orphans to help reduce the number of new cases of HIV. Mutsa will assist our HIV/AIDS prevention program by training peer educators in some of the schools supported by The Butterfly Tree.

Orphans at Simasimbi Basic School

Although there is vast wealth among some Africans the majority of people native to countries like Zambia live in extreme poverty and rely on international aid. However we feel that it is vital to bring about sustainability in areas where we operate once the education and health facilities have been improved. We are developing a number of enterprises at both the school and community in Mukuni. Perhaps one day the children on our orphan sponsorship program can be supporting their own families.

Travel Philanthropy

Posted on January 3, 2011 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Happy New Year! Now is the time when we all start to think about holidays and getting away from the cold weather and grey skies in search of the sun. Perhaps this year you would like to try a holiday of a different kind by becoming a philanthropic traveller or volunteer. This is how my journey started with The Butterfly Tree. I first visited Zambia in February 2006 on an organised trip, which included boat rides on the mighty Zambezi River, micro-lighting over the spectacular Victoria Falls and exhilerating safaris through the African bush. Little did I know that something as simple as visiting a rural village would turn into a life-changing experience.

Many people are unaware that just a few miles from exotic hotels, such as the Royal Livingstone Hotel situated in one of the most stunning locations in Africa, live some of the poorest people on the planet. My visit to Mukuni Village left such an impression that I have spent the past five years raising funds and awareness in an attempt to improve the health and education of thousands of HIV and AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Rural life in Mukuni Village

A trip to Mukuni, although very moving, can be fun and rewarding. The people are humble and friendly and go about the daily chores in a dignified manner. Numerous tourists, after visiting the village, have contacted The Butterfly Tree and donated to one of our local projects or sponsor an orphan. Some of these travellers have returned as volunteers for The Butterfly Tree, where they have had the opportunity to teach at the school, assist at the clinic or work on one of the building projects. We do not run a volunteer organisation as such, therefore travel and accommodation arrangements have to be made by the participant. The charity can give advice on what is available and which projects to work with. Whether it’s just a visit to the village for a couple of hours or a stay of several weeks, becoming a philanthropic traveller or a volunteer can have mutual benefits for all parties concerned. Without exception everyone who has been involved longs to return.

Volunteer – work with the Mukuni children

If you like further information on philanthropic travel or volunteering please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

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I am saddened to announce that Shaun Crystal, one of the singers who donated his time and expertise for our charity song, ‘Change for the Better’ passed away in December. His memory will live on in his great music.

Greetings from Mukuni

Posted on December 24, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Christmas in Mukuni will be very different to what many of us will experience tomorrow. Apart for going to church it will be like any other day sharing a meal of n’shima, vegetables and gound nuts with family and friends. There with be no turkey, Christmas pudding or gifts under the Christmas tree nor has there been weeks of preparations to make everything perfect for the festive Day. So who has got it right? Do we really need to put ourselves under so much stress for just one day? The true meaning of Christmas has been overshadowed by the need to spend more and more money on food, drinks and gifts, often resulting in bank overdrafts and credit card debts.

Working in one of the poorest nations on the planet, where thousands of children have been orphaned through the HIV and AIDS in Zambia pandemic, makes me realise that we have got it wrong. These desperately poor communities need food, water, health and education. Fortunately for many people in Mukuni Village life has improved considerably this year. The charity has built extra classrooms, more orphans have been sponsored and much has been done to improve the education and health facilities for Mukuni and several other outreach villages.

Greetings from Mukuni: Lillian Mweene with her daughter

2011 promises to be another successful year for The Butterfly Tree kicking off with substantial grant aid once again awarded by the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. This grant will enable us to build three new schools in remote areas; one in Mukuni and two in the Musokotwane Chiefdom. Saga Charitable Trust has also ensured that our Africa malaria program continues with another generous donation for next year. Many of our supporters have sent Christmas donations and some sponsor an orphan, making it our most successful year to date.

Jane with children from Mandandi Village

On behalf of the team and Mukuni Village I would like to genuinely thank everyone for your bountiful support and wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

WORLD AIDS DAY

Posted on December 1, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The latest figures show that there are over 33 million people living with HIV and over half of them will die of AIDS before they are 35 years of age. A staggering 2.3 million children under 15 are infected. Although advances in treatment and HIV and AIDS Prevention have been made I have seen first-hand the destruction caused in Zambia, where every family, if not infected, is affected in some way. It is one the worst nations with one in six adults being HIV positive. There are 33,000 children infected with HIV and over 700,000 are orphaned as a result of the HIV and AIDS in Zambia pandemic.

World Aids Day: An HIV positive orphan sponsored by The Butterfly Tree

HIV and AIDS education is the key, particularly in developing countries. Providing educational workshops, helping to remove the stigma and voluntary testing is crucial. Unlike malaria HIV is slow to develop, therefore many do not take it seriously. Women are four times more likely to be infected then men, not only putting themselves at risk but also their unborm babies. For the past four years The Butterfly Tree has successfully run an under-fives feeding program in Zambia for HIV positvie mothers. This gives them the opportunity to replace breast milk with formula to prevent mother to child transmission of the virus. This method has proved to be very effective as all the children on this program since 2007 have been tested free of HIV. It also encourages more women to come forward and be tested.

Children free of HIV on the under-fives feeding program

In the UK there are over 90,000 reported cases of HIV, many more are undiagnosed. Understanding the facts of HIV, removing the stigma and knowing your status are essential motives to not only protecting your own health but to the well-being of those close to you. Today in recognition of World Aids Day our charity is funding a workshop in Mukuni Village.

November Newsletter

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Education is the key and the only way to overcome poverty, hunger and disease. Thanks to a substantial grant from Jersey Overseas Aid Commission we have been able to advance the education in five schools in the Kazungula District of Zambia. All of these schools are in remote areas and receive very little assistant from the outside world. With the addition of a 1×2 classroom, teacher’s house and latrines Kamwi Basic School has been able to add extra grades, which means that children no longer have to walk several miles to Mukuni. Simasimbi Basic School has been given the same development as Kamwi; the school becomes inaccessible during the rainy season making it even more beneficial to have improved facilities.

Education advancement: new 1×3 classroom block for Mukuni Basic School

The children of Mandandi used a simple mud hut as a school, where they were taught by untrained teachers. The addition of a brand new school has been welcomed by the community, trained teachers will be provided by the government for the opening in the new year. A new pre-school classroom has been built for the children of Machenje Village, with the aim of being supported by the community through income-generating activities. The flagship of the all our constructions is the new 1×3 classroom block, complete with an office and storerooms at Mukuni Basic School. The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission funding also included a much needed staff house for the clinic at N’songwe Village. This is the third clinic we are supporting.

New pre-school for Machenje children & Special Education class & donated bicycles

The Besom funded a Special Education classroom, which has also attracted a number of donors including Stanley Safari Lodge and Fountaindale School. The 230 young children had totally outgrown the Mukuni pre-school funded by Gardiff and now has an additional classroom, built in memory of Sandra Challenger, a former Saga employee. Joining me on my recent trip to Zambia was Janice Lee, Director of Saga Charitable Trust who support our malaria and other health projects at Mukuni Health Centre. With the rainy season underway this funding is crucial in providing mosquito nets to support our Africa Malaria program.

A grant from the BFSS gave us an opportunity to supply six schools with much needed stationery and equipment. LSR Rotary Club in Leamington Spa selected The Butterfly Tree as their international charity for the second year running. Their fundraising efforts have paid for the construction of several new homes for widowns and orphans and bicycles for school children, making their journey to school much easier.

New home for a widow with six children – Mosquito nets donated to the community

Two volunteers, Margaret Bax and Casey Short from Oregon, have worked tirelessly, spending two months during 2009 and 2010 to set up sustainable income-generating activities for women. Using the funds raised amongst their friends and families the Acme Chicken project is in its second year and a goats’ milk project will soon be underway. These projects are a vital part of our work if the communities are to stand on their own feet and not rely entirely on international aid.

Our under-fives feeding program, now funded by Karen Lytle, is making a substantial difference, since its initiation in 2007. Every child who attended the program is free of HIV after receiving formula and fortified porridge; this replaces breastmilk in HIV positive mothers to prevent the transmission of the virus.

I had to deal with one of the most heartbreaking stories I have encountered in almost five years of working in Zambia. Elvis and Vincent were born two months’ premature after their mother went into labour at seven months and died in childbirth with a third baby. The Butterfly Tree has offered to support these helpless infants who need four tins of formula a week. Dealing with this case reconfirmed just how vulnerable these people are and how desperately they need our help. Advancing the health and education facilities will hopefully reduce the number of these distressing cases. The support we have received this year has been overwhelming, as you can see your donations have been used to make a difference to the lives of many people, please continue this vital support.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder & Chairman

The Butterfly Tree charity calendar is now available to order.

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Healthcare in Zambia

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

Many of us frequently complain about our National Health Service; after numerous visits to Zambia I really appreciate having this facility and no longer take it for granted. During my visitis to Mukuni Village I have come across countless situations where people are too sick to walk to a clinic, too poor to be able to afford transport to hospital or too broke to purchase a much needed perscription. Nothing however upset me more than the plight of two baby boys, Vincent and Elvis born last month.

The infants’ mother, from Kamwi Village, was seven months pregnant when she went for a routine check-up at Mukuni Maternity Clinic, funded by The Butterfly Tree. A simple test showed that she was suffering from anaemia and she was subsequently referred to Livingstone General Hospital. Two days later, having gone into premature labour, she died in child birth with one of the three triplets. Due to the lack of scanning equipment no one knew that she was expecting three babies. The distraught grandmother left the hospital leaving the medical staff to care for the two remaining baby boys. For twenty-four hours they were given only water until their father’s mother arrived taking them under her wings. Relying on ‘well-wishers’ she set about nurturing the two boys, each weighing just over one kilogram.

Mukuni Babies – Vincent

The infants were to remain in hospital for two months, however there was no formula available and no support on offer from social services. They were too small be be taken to an orphange. After two and a half weeks the infants, weighing only 1.4 and 1.6 kgs, were discharged! Having previously sent blankets and clothing, kindly knitted by Solihull Inner Wheel and mosquito nets and baby products donated by Mellors Chemist in Warwick, I went to visit these new arrivals at their rural home in Kamwi Village, some seven kilometres from Mukuni and twenty-three from the hospital. I learnt that the father was unemployed and that they had sufficient funds for just one week’s supply of formula and only two feeding bottles. I was reduced to tears when I saw these helpless infants with no mother, lying on their grandmother’s bed; it was heartbreaking and impossible for someone from the West to comprehend how little these people have. Pieces of torn material were being used for nappies, Lifebouy soap for washing them and only a minute paraffin flame to assist the grandmother during the night for their three hourly feeds.

Three weeks old – Elvis

Hence my shopping mission in Livingstone – nappies, feeding bottles, formula, brushes, clothing, blankets, baby products and Milton; all the things that we take for granted and have readily available when caring for newborn babies. To give the father a chance to support his sons the charity has donated a bicycle so that he can collect charcoal to sell in the village and has also given seeds to grow maize. The grandmother accepted money for food to keep up her strength. For the first time in two weeks I saw the father smile having been in complete shock after his tragic loss. The rainy season is under way, which increases the risk of diarrhoea, pneumonia and Africa malaria, so it is crucial that they are well protected.

Before I left Zambia I took them for a review at the hospital – Vincent’s weight had remained the same and his brother Elvis had gained, both now weighing in at 1.6 kilograms, but no loss! The nurse was very happy with their progress. The baby boys will now be put on The Butterfly Tree under-fives’ feeding program and have weekly check-ups at Mukuni Health Centre. These infants have a long way to go before they are out of danger, but I have no doubt that the father and grandmother will do everything they can to help them to survive.

Malaria season at Mukuni

Posted on October 19, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

October in Zambia sees the temperatures soaring to over 40 degrees. After 6 months of parched earth and clear blue skies the clouds start to form as the rainy season approaches bringing a welcome relief for everything to come alive – seeds and crops can be sown, the dry streams fill up and the burden of walking long distances to draw water finally eases. For everyone this is a time to rejoice including the dreaded mosquitoes. With the rains comes a higher risk of catching Africa malaria, the biggest killer of man, over one million deaths occur each year. 75% of all deaths are children under the age of five in Sub-Sahara Africa and Mukuni is no exception.

Africa Malaria – help to prevent this young Mukuni boy from getting malaria

Mosquito nets should be provided by the government for all under fives and pregnant women, however this is not always the case. Working in rural villages I find that there is a huge shortfall with several children sleeping under one net. Equally as important are malaria testing kits as the disease is easily treated if caught in time. In the areas where we have distributed nets no new cases have been reported, however there were 65 new cases in an area where we were unale to reach. Mukuni Health Centre has not received any testing kits for three years from the health department and without our support the statistics would be much higher. Thanks to a generous annual donation from Saga Charitble Trust we are able to provide vital workshops, educating the communities on the dangers of Africa malaria and the importance of nets and testing kits.

Buy this song – it could save a child’s life

Earlier this year we launched a charity song called, ‘Change for the Better‘ to raise further awareness and funds for the global fight against malaria. Basement Entertainment are hosting an event, to celebrate Zambian Independence Day, in London on the 23rd October to further promote the cause. Their theme will be ‘Change for the Better’ and The Butterfly Tree with be the beneficiary of this event. The CD and download are available for purchase, with all profits going to our malaria program, via: www.changeforthebetter.bandcamp.com

Annual Report 2009-2010

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

‘Change for the Better’ is how I would describe this year, our most successful to date. We were awarded a substantial number of grants and received an increase in donations, which has enabled us to reach out to more rural schools and communities of the Mukuni Chiefdom of Zambia.

We have been asked many times, why after four years, are we still working in the same Chiefdom. The answer is simple, by doing this we can ‘make a difference’. Spreading ourselves too thinly on the ground would not have such a great impact. Concentrating on a specific area, providing the essentials in life – safe, clean water, feeding programs, improved health and education facilities leads to sustainability. Once this is in place, we can look further afield and spread our ‘wings’ to a new Chiefdom. Funds permitting, we are hoping that this will happen in the forthcoming year, though our base will remain at Mukuni Village.

All our projects have benefitted from these increased funds and many new ones have been introduced. Two additional bore holes have been put in place. Invaluable feeding programs at five more schools have commenced and each school has been given seeds to grow maize to supplement these programs. Vast amounts of stationery have been donated to six new schools in addition to the existing four we continually support. Bicycles have been purchased for pupils travelling long distances to school and donkeys have been offered to provide transport for disabled children. The classroom block and clinic at Katapazi, our biggest project this year, has been completed.

Despite the government’s efforts to curb the HIV/AIDS pandemic there are still far too many African children being orphaned. As always we continually seek new sponsors and many have offered support after visiting Mukuni Village, just seven kilometers from the Victoria Falls. We have put a substantial amount of funding into our health projects; one of the most rewarding, yet humbling results, is to learn that all the babies on our under-fives feeding program (part of our HIV and AIDS Prevention program) have recently been tested free of HIV. Diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria are prevalent in the region; malaria is the biggest killer of man.

Every forty seconds someone dies from malaria. 75% of deaths occur in children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa. The Butterfly Tree provides Malaria prevention; mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and educational workshops. This year to mark World Malaria Day we launched our own charity song, ‘Change for the Better’, to increase global awareness and raise funds for the fight against malaria. The song features three Zambian artists and a young woman from Mukuni, who has received sponsorship through The Butterfly Tree. I cannot stress enough how vital this program is. Our latest results have shown, that in areas of net distribution, no new cases of malaria have been reported, however many more areas need help.

Once again we have been able to fund several successful operations and treatment for children and the elderly. Nine community houses have been built for widows with orphans and a number of sustainable projects have been initiated, amongst them are poultry and goat rearing, vegetable growing and sewing.

With your continued support, 2010 is definitely going to be a ‘Change for the Better’.

Jane Kaye-Bailey – Chairman

Peace Day

Posted on September 21, 2010 by Jane Kaye-Bailey

The UN International Day of Peace on 21 September is a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. It is not just asking aggressors in war-torn countries to disarm, but for everyone around the globe to refrain from violence – in the home, the work place, and school. It’s also about helping to save the lives of those less fortunate than we are. Although Zambia is a very peaceful country life for most people is an arduous challenge. With water shortages, incurable diseases and some of the worst poverty in the world for many life is certainly not peaceful.

In recognition of global Peace Day The Butterfly Tree is fundig a workshop at Mukuni to highlight the importance of our work in these remote communities. HIV and AIDS in Zambia is a virus that can be caught at any age most especially for babies born to an HIV positive mother. One of our most successful projects is our under fives feeding program, which provides formulae to replace breastmilk. It has also encouraged more women to come forward to be tested. Today we will be inviting women and their families to participate in a workshop at Mukuni Village, further educating the people of the dangers of this devasting disease, helping to remove the stigma and to encourage more people to be tested.

Peace Day: Young children at Siamasimbi joining hands – a sign of love & peace

To enhance our work at Mukuni Brendan Mission is raising funds to build a music centre at Mukuni. This will be a great place for the school children throughout the Chiefdom to perform music and drama to raise further awareness of HIV/AIDS. Concerts can be held to make the project sustainable and give the pupils a chance to ‘make change’ through music. Brendan is launching three songs and donating all the profits to The Butterfly Tree. On the 30th September Brendan will be doing a sponsored cycle ride from London to Devon where he will perform a gig. The songs can be pre-ordered for download on the 3rd October.

Two young American girls, Sammi Cohen and Madison Sacks have also been working hard to raise funds for The Butterfly Tree. Their initiative was to collect change from all their classmates and make it into a competition to see which class could raise they most money. They collected an amazing total of $3762. The staff at Natwest in Warwick completed a 10k walk on Sunday for the charity. Gordy Munro has been trying for two years to do a sponsored Skydive for the charity; after six cancellations due to bad weather he finally completed it on the seventh attempt. We are very grateful to all our supporters, the ones doing challenges and fundraising deserve a very special thanks for giving up their time to support our cause.