By Jane Kaye-Bailey | Founder
I am pleased to report that despite the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic our new financial year has got off to a positive start. This is mostly thanks to the continual support of our loyal donors and the success of the 2.6 challenge.
The 2.6 Challenge which took place on the 24th April was very well supported even though we had only one week to prepare. The Trustees, all did activities except for one who managed her 91- year old mother’s activity, walking up and down the garden 26 times, which raised a substantial amount of money.
Most of our volunteers took part, one kindly held free visual exercise classes, asking people to donate. 24 people participated, several of them donors, including the entire family of five! My young neighbours, age 6 and 9, heroically cycled 26 kms. Some people walked 2.6 miles and 5.2 miles, others ran up and down steps 26 times, danced to the song ‘Happy’ 26 times, and a 2.6 minutes headstand.
A huge thanks to everyone who took part, to our donors, and the new ones we gathered along the way! The funds raised are being used to support Zambia through the COVID-19 pandemic. Much of it will provide soap, buckets with taps, bowls, hand sanitising gel and disinfectant for schools. Pupils in grades 7, 9 and 12 who are sitting examinations later this year returned to school on the 1st June.
Twenty schools are being helped. There are 70 schools in the Kazungula District, therefore we are seeking further support as they are not permitted to open without adequate protection for pupils and teachers. We are also providing rural health centres with PPE equipment as the only form of protection medical workers have are gloves.
Two of the youths that were on The Butterfly Tree orphan sponsorship programme are producing masks to donate to schools and communities. Both tailors, they are making medically approved masks out of colourful cotton chitengi material.
To date there are 1,087cases of COVID-19 mostly in Lusaka and border towns. Zambia has eight borders, which makes in difficult when truck drivers are passing through daily. However, the Ministry of Health is testing the drivers and if found to be positive they must go to a designated quarantine area. It is hoped that the rural areas will be less affected.
We will continue to support rural schools and clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic, more donations will be greatly appreciated.
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