Seeds for Life in Zambia

The rainy season in Zambia start in late November and finishes in early April. Globally weather patterns are changing, and Zambia is no exception.

December is the prime planting season for staple crops such as maize and millet when communities gather together to sow their crops. December saw very little rain in the Southern Province where the schools we support are located. January was completely 'dry' no rain fell in the area. As a result, sadly crops withered.

The drought persisted until mid-February and then Southern Zambia experienced unprecedented rains. Instead of raining for a couple of hours before the sun bursts through the clouds, the rain has been persistent. Day and night heavy rains have fallen, resulting in severe flooding, with many villages being cut off. 

The good news is that The Butterfly Tree withheld donating seeds and fertilizer to the schools we support after hearing of the lack of rain in December. Instead we will discuss with the Head Teachers of each school how best we can offer support.

We ensure that all the schools have bore holes, which means that they can grow vegetables as water is easily accessible. The World Food Program supplies maize for a morning porridge at rural schools, and our support enables the local cooks to provide a sustainable feeding programme at lunchtime.

We will closely monitor the situation and hope that the rains finish in early April so that we can access the remote areas in Mukuni and Nyawa Chiefdom of Zambia.