Seeds for Life in Zambia

As the New Year gets underway I am pleased to report that the rains in Zambia, which started in November, are abundant. Everywhere is lush and green after the long dry spell. Communities, schools and individuals have planted crops.

The Butterfly Tree donated extra seeds and fertilzer to all the women's food security projects to boost their enterprices. We no longer donate maize after crop failures due to poor rainfall in previous years. Instead we donate sorghum seeds, a cereal grain rich in nutrients including high fibre, protein, minerals and B vitamins. 

Four of the women's project have received additional training from the University of Zambia's Agricultural department. This is being funded by the International Research Centre in Canada with the aim of women supplying food for pupils attending Livingstone schools. The Butterfly Tree was one of only five charities nationwide to be invited to participate. The women's projects in Siambalele, Zwanga, Muskotwane and Senkobo were selected due to their close proximity to Livingstone town.  

The rains should last until April and once the dry season starts the following communities and schools will have year-round access to safe drinking water year-round water as a result of the latest donations of boreholes. In addition, two health facilities received boreholes and the one for Katanda where we are about to complete a clinic, two staff houses, toilets and mother's shelter an entire solar-powered water system has been added. 

- Schools: Maila Male and Siamusunse

- Communities: Sheleni, Simbalwa and Muumba

- Health Centres and Posts: Nguba and Katanda 

We are delighted to have received additional funding to drill more boreholes this year in remote areas where the only access to drinking water during the dry season is from shallow wells.

Thank you to everyone who has generously supported The Butterfly Tree's 'Seeds for Life' Programme.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Water Projects