Seeds for Life in Zambia

As we reflect on last year the severe drought in Zambia caused predominantly by El Niño had a devastating impact on rural communities throughout Zambia. Streams and rivers were completely dry. People relied on polluted shallow wells, travelling long distances to access drinking water, and existing boreholes were overwhelmed. The Butterfly Tree drilled 27 boreholes of which unfortunately, 5 were completely dry. We also installed 7 solar-powered water reticulation systems. Below are the beneficieries for boreholes:

Nguba School, Siamuya School, Sianjangulu School, Kanono School, Mukamba Community, Siapenga Community, Muyunda School, Mupampi Community, Kasiya Community, Siambelele Community, Kauwe RHC Cinic, Namukamba School, Kamusiku School, Katondo School, Manono School, Masamu Muyumu School, Karamba Community, Nguba School, Siamuya School, Sianjangulu School, Luwe School, Muule School, Service Centre School, Mulindi School, Mapepe School, Malongalonga Community, and Ndele Clinic.

The water systems seven were donated to women's projects to create sustainable income-generating enterprices for food security. Senkobo, Mukuni, Zalu, Zwanga, Sekute Central, Kanchele and Simabelele each received a water system which included a solar-powerd reticulation pump, water storage tank and irrigation pipes. 

Currently it is the dry season in Zambia and though the drought eneded earlier this year there are still thousands upon thousands of people who do not have access to safe water. We have recently added boreholes for Simukumbwa, Nejezya and Gombe schools and for Siampunga, Syamwiya and Milangu communties. In addition we have drilled a borehole with a complete water system for Katanda where we are currently constructing an entire new health centre. A further two boreholes are being drilled this weekend. 

Thanks to the support of our major, regular and new donors we were able to support a substantial amount of people in Zambia during the worst drought in the nation’s history. The response to our appeals was tremendous. Despite this unprecedented challenge we continuously provided support for emergency food relief without neglecting our other projects related to water, health and education.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Annual Report and Accounts