Orphan Education Support - Zambian Villages

The majority of The Butterfly Tree's work in Zambia revolves around the welfare of vulnerable chilren, far too many are left orphaned as a result of the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Life is rural villages is especially tough for the young - lack of safe water, no electricity, food shortages and disease are just some of the problems they endure on a daily basis. Children have to walk up 10 miles each way to get to school, leaving home at 4am to arrive for the start of lessons at 7am. With little else to do children yearn to seek an education.

Education is vital in helping to alleviate poverty and its related issues. We currently have several educational advancements being made – the construction of a 1×2 classroom block and latrines are almost complete at N’dele Primary School. N’gandu Junior Secondary School is undergoing extensive expansion with the addition of a 1x3 classroom block, two teachers' houses and latrines. Muchambile Village has received a boost adding a much needed clinic and materials for the school. Kasiya Community School has new latrines, essential to improve sanitition and reduce the number of diarrhoeal cases.

HIV is being successfully addressed through our 'Catch me I'm a Butterfly' project. This simple method trains young people to become peer educators in the prevention of HIV. Once the groups have been fully trained they hold workshops in outreach schools on the dangers of HIV. Topics include teenage pregnancies, how to prevent getting HIV, sex education and alcohol problems. The students can talk freely and more openly to the young educators, than they can to parents, teachers or guardians.

Many of the orphans we have supported have now completed high school. We have sponsored a number of them to go on to further education resulting in employment. What is most rewarding is to see the ones being sponsored at teachers' traiining college coming back to the rural schools to partake in work experience. Peter, Charity and Josias are working in the Mukuni Schools, in addition Martin is doing an engineering course and Jacob is studying agriculture. The knowledge they ware gaining will give them the opportunity to eventually support their familes and give something back to their community.

Advancing the education in schools is invaluable for future development of these rural communities who desperately need your support.

Links:

• Health and Education Advancements

In 2006 shortly after I founded The Butterfly Tree I met Peter Liyungu, a Zambian orphan, who had to live in a rural village after losing both his parents. Both Peter and his brother Mishek stayed with their aunt in Mukuni Village. Though the aunt was able to look after the boys she could not afford to edcuate them, and Peter was becoming troublesome.

The Butterfly Tree starting sponsoring Peter's education and the following year Mishek was also included on the Orphan Support Program. At the time there were no rural high schools in the Kazungula District so Peter was offered a chance to go to boarding school. By the time Mishek passed his examinations to attend high school The Butterfly Tree had funded the first rural high school in the Dtirct, of which Mishek was able to attend.

In 2012 Peter completed high school with glowing results, follwed by Mishek two years later. Peter tried to raise funds for a further education course, doing peace work to earn some money. I was so impressed that Peter had made an effort to support himself that through the charity we were able to help him to go to Livingstone Teacher's Training College.

Peter is in his second year at the college and this coming school term, which starts on May 10th, Peter will do his work experience at the very same school he atteneded back in 2006. It is hoped that we can also find a suitable course for Mishek.

It is wonderful to know that these gifted young men have reached so far thanks to generous funding received through our Orphan Support Programs. Thousands of rural children in Zambia are now receiving a sound education, others like Peter are doing teaching, agriculture, and forward and clearing courses. Some are now in employment and able to support their own families and community.

The donations received through the Orphan Support Program can change a child's life and help to alleviate poverty and its related issues.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Website