By Jane Kaye-Bailey | Chairman
More than 25 percent of basic schools in Zambia do not have access to safe water supply and sanitation.
The Butterfly Tree's main aim is to provide schools and rural communities with safe drinking water, most especially to prevent diarrheal diseases in young children, one of the leading causes of death. To date we have installed 20 bore holes (wells), mostly to schools, but also to villages and for clinics in Mukuni, Sekute, Musokotwane and Nyawa Chiefdoms.
Preserving the quality of fresh water is important for the drinking-water supply and food production. Children are taught how to protect the wells, keep buckets clean for carrying water and to wash hands after going to the toilet. Poor sanitation is also a major cause of diarrheal disease. Over 6 million people in Zambia do not have adequate sanitation facilities. The chariy has donated over 100 latrines to schools in these Chiefdoms.
Zambia is currently in the 'dry' season and approaching summer. The last rains fell in April, and as the temperatures rise, the land becomes parched. Rains usually start in late November or December, therefore now is the time to prepare the land for the growing of maize and other crops. This 'Seeds for Life' project provides schools with seeds and fertilizers to grow vegetables for feeding programs. To date we have supported 16 schools.
We are also encouraging school leaves to get involved with agriculture. Mostly they want to become teachers, which is a good career, but as there are so many not all of them are able to get employment. Next month Jacob, one of the students we have sponsored since high school, will graduate after spending four years at agricultural college. He has vowed to 'give back' by doing some volunteer work for the charity as well as teaching the farming methods, learnt at college, to his community. It is very rewarding to know that our support can create sustainability such as this.
Our aim is to provide additional wells, latrines and seeds, and to sponsor more students in agriculture
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