Besides producing charity songs The Butterfly Tree is also supporting enviromental issues and recognising World Earth Day. Mother nature has played havoc with our earth in the past few months so we have to protect the wonderful world we live in. Global warming is effecting the entire planet, each and everyone of us must play our part.

It is very difficult to change the culture and way of life of tribal people, such as the Leyas of Mukuni Village. Due to the vast amount of wood needed for people living in rural communities,the forests of Zambia are being depleted. Wood is needed for building mud huts and charcoal is required for cooking. In villages like Mukuni wood carving has been the main source of income for many years and for many people their only skill. Being in a tourist catchment area, close to the Victoria Falls, the main source of income is curio selling. Magnificent animal carvings, intricate masks and wooden bowls are among some of the many items sold at the Victoria Falls and Mukuni Markets.

World Earth Day: The mighty Zambezi River flowing towards the magnificent Victoria Falls

With high unemployment throughout the nation selling crafts to tourists is a means of providing food for the family. One solution is to provide tree nurseries for these rural communities. Not just providing seeds but offering educational workshops on how to preserve and protect the enviroment. Garry Brooks, the founder of African Community Projects, is a Canadian forestry expert, who has freely offered his expertise to show us how to go about growing trees. In our small way we can not only help the people of Mukuni Village but also acknowledge World Earth Day by planting thousands of trees.