Orphan Education Support - Zambian Villages

Last week I returned to the UK after spending three weeks in Zambia checking on our many projects and sourcing new ones. I find it hard to believe it is now over seventeen years since I first visited Mukuni Village. Starting with an orphan sponsorship programme The Butterfly Tree branches have grown significantly. We have projects throughout the Kazungula District as well as Livingstone and Zimba Districts.

Today we are building entire schools, health posts and community houses. We install boreholes and water reticulation systems, and sanitation for remote schools and communities. We provide support for HIV prevention and Girls’ Empowerment and initiate sustainable income-generating enterprises for women and youths. We help the global fight against malaria.

None of this could have been achieved without the generous support of our donors, some have been donating since 2006. The money we raise comes from grant aid, trusts, individuals, corporate, schools, clubs and other organisations. Every donation we receive, whether it be big or small counts, and helps to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children on the planet.

We have a wonderful team of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia who are committed to our grass root cause and have been paramount in the charity’s success. Working alongside our Zambian team gives me an incite into how much time is needed to initiate, manage and monitor the projects on the ground. I drove over 1,200 km while in Zambia to visits schools, communities and health posts. To access these remote areas, the tracks are often hazardous, during the rainy season some become impassable.

These journeys give me the opportunity to meet pupils, teachers, and medical staff and and to engage with the local communities. I see first hand the need but always ask the people what is required rather than telling the people what they should have. The difference a school borehole or classroom can make is remarkable. The difference a rural health post makes can be life-saving. Below are some of the main objectives we achieved during the past year.

PROJECTS FROM MARCH 31ST 2022 TO 1ST APRIL 2023

• Health Post – Katondo including a clinic, two teacher’s houses, borehole and toilets
• Health Post – Boombwe including a clinic, two teacher’s houses, borehole and toilets
• Completion of classrooms – Mukuni, Kamwi and Sichifulo schools
• Two teacher’s houses – Musokotwane Secondary School
• Restoration of a primary school classroom and one for special education – Mukuni
• Boreholes – Mambwa, James Siachema, Simukombo and Ngandu schools. Namyola and Hamoomba communities
• Sustainable community project for women in Sekute
• Donation of seeds and fertilizer – 50 schools in the Kazungula District
• Distribution of ground maize to 2,500 households in four Chiefdoms
• Distribution of mosquito nets to schools in Sekute and Nyawa
• Donation of textbooks, materials, and desks – primary, special education and secondary schools
• Donation of medical supplies – Simango, Mambova, Bunsanga and Mukuni clinics.
• Sponsorship for orphans at seven schools, and for university and college students.
• Sports sponsorship and football tournaments – selected charity for the Blackpool Cup

AWARDS 2022-23

• Scotland Prestige Awards ‘Education Charity of the Year‘ – winner.
• Central England Prestige Awards ‘HIV Support NPO of the Year’ – winner.
• WAFA AWARDS shortlisted for the ‘FOOD’ Category – winner to be announced. 

Many thanks to all our global donors, fundraisers, trustees and volunteers, both in the UK and Zambia, for making this another outstanding year for The Butterfly Tree, and most importantly for its beneficiaries.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Newsletter