Seeds for Life in Zambia

The Butterfly Tree received a substantial donation to fund a project to empower young people with disabilities. The project will take the form of an income-generating cooperative and has been divided into three sections.

• N’gandu Village growing crops – a number of young people have been selected to participate in this project. As the project develops more will join. A piece of land was given to the group from the senior headman. The land has been ploughed and sorghum is being planted. Due to the current situation with poor and intermittent rains in the Southern Province of Zambia we were advanced not to grow maize and not to plant early this season. Maize is totally rain dependent in this area and this season the rains started late. Though maize is the staple diet of most Zambians, Sorghum is highly nutritious and packed with vitamins and antioxidants.
• Mukuni Village chicken rearing – a number of young people have been selected, some from the special education class and others with mental health and physical disabilities. Training will take place while a chicken coop is being built. In addition to our local team the head teacher from special education and also a retired teacher have offered to volunteer their time to assist these young people.
• Kamwi Village vegetable growing –a borehole was successfully drilled. Though water is now readily available we have delayed the sowing of seeds. The reason is because the government in October 2023 advised everyone to plant early, saying the rains would come early. However, the rains did not come early and when they came, they were spasmodic and brought unprecedented storms. Therefore, we chose to sow the seeds at a later date and nothing has been lost.

We are very grateful for this support and to all the people who have donated boreholes, seeds and fertilizer. 

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Newsletter