Seeds for Life in Zambia

As 2020, with all its challenges, comes to an end, schools in Zambia have hope for a better future. After the severe drought of 2019, the rains this year have come in abundance, just in time for planting, which traditionally starts on Christmas Day.

Thanks to receiving a substantial grant award earlier this year, The Butterfly Tree has donated seeds, fertilizer, and gardening tools to 25 schools in the Kazungula District. The Ministry of Education states that all schools must initiate a food production unit to sustain a feeding programme for their pupils. This is not easy when the poverty levels, made worse by the drought and COVID-19, are so extreme. As a result, many pupils are failing to pay school fees and only have one meal per day.

The food production units will not only provide a sustainable feeding programme, but surplus crops and vegetables will be sold to the community. Prophets from the sales will be used to pay school fees and uniforms for orphans and vulnerable children, and to purchase educational supplies.

Each school received a variety of seeds, including maize, the staple diet of Zambians, sorghum, which is less rain dependent than maize, and a mixture of nutritious vegetables.

Five of the biggest schools in the Kazungula District, River View, Singwamba, Katapazi, Matengu and Chaba received water reticulation systems, also funded by the grant aid, and an additional one at Musokotwane Secondary School, from a private donor. The solar powered submersible pump and storage tank will provide a constant supply of water during the dry season.

We are extremely grateful for the grant, which has boosted our “Seeds for Life” project and for all the individual donations which have enabled us to reach out to more rural schools. Our aim for 2021 is to raise more funds in order to supply additonal schools with water systems to assist for invaluable food production units, especially during the 6 month 'dry' period from April to November.

Wishing all our volunteers, donors, and beneficiaries a healthy and peaceful New Year.

Links:

• Submersible Water Systems

COVID-19 continues to dominate World News and though the number of cases is reducing in some regions, others are still increasing. While the focus is on finding a vaccine millions of people around the world are suffering from severe hunger due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a report forecast from the United Nations ‘Across the planet, the COVID-19 pandemic could tip over 130 million more people into chronic hunger by the end of 2020.

Sadly, Zambia is one of the countries where hunger is increasing, most especially in the area where we are based near Livingstone. Tourists normally flock to see the might Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, throughout the year, but like most countries Zambia’s tourism has come to a standstill.

Mukuni Village income is primarily from tourism. The traditional Leya people welcome visitors to learn about the culture of the Leya people and gain an insight into a traditional nomadic way of like. Members of the community worked at nearby lodges and hotels, or for tour operators, others run the white-water rafting and gorge swing adventures. In addition, there are two normally bustling markets, one in Mukuni and one by the Victoria Falls. Their arts and crafts are renowned, consisting of beautiful wood carvings, basketry, and jewellery. The sale of these items feeds families and pay for medicines and school fees. Though the markets have reopened there are very few customers.

Hunger in Mukuni Village and their surrounding communities was becoming critical, but now thanks to your donations many families have food. Hundreds of bags of ground maize, the staple diet of Zambians, have been distributed to those most in need. A 25kg bag of maize, costs just $10 and will feed a family of four for three weeks.

Besides food distribution we continue to provide rural schools and clinics with PPE. It is mandatory for all pupils and teachers to wear masks and for the school to provide soap, hand sanitizing gel and disinfectant. Unfortunately due to the extreme poverty funds are not available. We have provided all these items to 21 schools and 30 clinics as well as infrared thermometers

Thank you to everyone who has supported this vital appeal, please keep the donations coming to enable vulnerable people in Zambia to have food and protection from coronavirus.