Seeds for Life in Zambia

In January 2006 I visited Zambia and Mukuni Village for the very first time, little did I know that 15 years later the charity I founded would still be flourishing. Despite all the challenges of the past year The Butterfly Tree has managed to sustain our existing projects while sourcing new ones. Thanks to the incredible support from our loyal donors, as well as new ones, we continue to implement a diverse section of projects relating to water, food, health, and education.

Though I have not been able to travel to Zambia since February 2020 I am in daily communication with our local team, who have been outstanding. Mindful of the risks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, they continued to work tirelessly throughout the year to help those most in need. In March 2020 communities in the Southern Province were still suffering from the effects of a severe drought then COVID-19 emerged. Many of the villages, especially Mukuni, rely heavily on tourism due to their close proximity to the Victoria Falls, A World Heritage site. No one received any income that year, and in a country with such a poor economy, there was no handouts.

To support people through this dire situation The Butterfly Tree regularly donated bags of ground maize to orphans and vulnerable children, the elderly, and those that had no means to support themselves. In addition, we offered funding for farming projects. We also provided vast amounts of PPE to rural health centres, schools once they reopened, and the Kazungula Border. Masks were made by local youths and given to the schools. The spread of the virus in 2020 was somewhat contained, but sadly the South African variant took its toll at the beginning of 2021, during this period the Ministry of Health commenced their vaccination programme.

In addition to installing boreholes in five schools and one for a farming project in Mukuni, solar-powered water reticulation systems were installed at Musokotwane, River View, Katapazi, Singwamba, Matengu and Chaba schools, and Bunsanga Health Post. Seeds were given to schools to grow maize, sorghum, and vegetables. Surplus produce was sold to the community, profits are then used to support orphans and to buy school supplies.

Community food projects continue to be well supported. In addition to the beekeeping projects for 200 women in Muyunda a new project called ‘Mangoes of Hope’ has been initiated for 200 women in Musokotwane. These will provide sustainable income-generating enterprises for women.

On behalf of The Butterfly Tree I wish to thank all our donors that have supported us during this challenging year.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Annual Report and Accounts 2020-21

It is now over three months since the rains fell in Zambia and the dry season will continue until November or December. Due to climate change there is no guarantee that the rainy season will be good. Therefore it is vital that schools and communities have boreholes. This month we are to install a borehole in Katondo, a remote area in Nyawa Chiefdom, where we are about to commence construction of a health post, which will include two staff houses and a biodigester for waste disposal. This means that both the facility and health workers will have access to safe clean water.

The five water reticulation systems, installed earlier this year are working well in the schools we have supported. Ample crops are being grown for the schools’ feeding programme, with surplus vegetables being sold to the community. Profits are then used to pay school fees for orphans and vulnerable children.

Next month The Butterfly Tree will initiate a project for 200 women. A sustainable chicken and vegetable production enterprise will enable women in Sekute Chiefdom to be empowered and self-sufficient. The women will receive an income from the produce sales to pay for their children’s education. In addition to the chicken and vegetables, a moringa plantation will be established. This will provide a screen to shelter the project, a source of nutrition for the community, and can be used for chicken feed. A borehole and solar powered water reticulation with a storage tank will provide water all the year round.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree's Sustainable Projects