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