Seeds for Life in Zambia

Many of us take rain for granted, especially those of us who live in countries that have rain virtually every month of the year. Whereas Africa is known for having long periods of drought, and Zambia is no exception.

The rainy season lasts from December until April. Crops are planted in December, but sadly there has been very little rain in the Southern Province this season. Consequently, there is going to be a great deal of hunger especially in remote village, where communites are reliant on home-grown food such as maize and vegetables.

To help avoid, what could become a major crisis to many people, The Butterfly Tree aims to install more boreholes in villages and schools. Last year we completed six borehole installations, which means that though the people cannot grow maize they can grow highly nutritious vegetables such as kale and caggage. Schools are supplemented by the World Food Programme, though their supplies can be intermittent.

Providing boreholes in schools also prevents childern having to carry water long distances from polluted streams and dams. We also set up a hand-washing facility and the school children are trained on basic hygiene to prevent disease.

The drilling process is very quick once water has been sourced and the entire school and community watch patiently. After hours and hours of drilling through sand, followed by mud, then finally seeing water spout in the air is very humbling for someone who is used to turning on a tap. Everyone dances, claps and sings for joy!

If this drought continues we need more support to fund this vital project, and thank everyone who has helped us to provide a supply safe clean water to thousands of people.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Water Projects

It's that time of year again when communities and schools in Zambia are planting seeds for the new crops to flourish during the rainy season. The land has been prepared and for many it's a case of doing it by hard or with carts drawn by oxen. 

After six months without rain the land is parched and there is a great deal of hunger, so everyone gets to work. Maize, millet and sorghum are grown on a wide scale and for communities that live near streams and rivers a variety of vegetables are grown.

School feeding programmes are essential and one of the main focuces of The Butterfly Tree. Seeds and bags of fertilzer have been given out to 16 schools in the Kazungula District of Zambia. These feeding programmes are vital, especially for the children who walk long distances to get to school.

In addition we have added more boreholes (wells), most recently for Mukalahani, a remote village in the Mukuni Chiefdom that previously had to rely on a polluted stream for drawing drinking water.

I was able to oversee the entire process from beginning to end. Watched by the community the siting took place at 8am, then the drilling company got to work. Hours of drilling saw sand, then soil being tossed into the air when eventually we got splattered with mud, before breaking for lunch.

Further drilling eventually led to water spurting out into the air and everyone was ecstatic. Women and men were singing and dancing, and the children jumping for joy. It's hard to realise, but for most of the villagers this was their first time to taste safe, clean water.

By 4pm the Indian Mark II Handpump was secured into place and the apron, which is the concrete surround, was laid the following day. Once it has all set the community will erect a fence to provide protection against damage from animals.

To complete the project the following week an Environmental Health Technician taught the community how to set up hand-washing facilities. Being in a rural area there are no sinks or toilets, besides hands it is important to strees how they must keep the buckets clean. 

This year we have added six boreholes. Our aim for the coming year is to install and additional 12 boreholes to remote schools - the surrounding villages will be able to share the facility. Water is life, therefore it is essential to have a safe source, most espcially for children to help prevent diarrhoeal diseases.