By Jane Kaye-Bailey | Founder
Every year, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, since I founded The Butterfly Tree in 2006, I have visited Zambia. I stay in accommodation close to the mighty Zambezi River, the fourth biggest river in Africa. The magnificent Victoria Falls, a World Heritage site, dividing Zambia from Zimbabwe is spectacular. The only disadvantage of staying near the river is the abundance of mosquitos.
When I arrived in Zambia last month, I checked in at the hotel and was taken to my room. Though there was a mosquito net draped over the bed, I was surprised to see there was no insect repellent or bug spray in the room. I contacted reception to ask about this, I was told that the spray would be brought to my room, though there are no mosquitos. How can this be, there have always been mosquitos buzzing around my room, especially at dusk?
During the three weeks of my stay which included going to restaurants in town in the evenings, I only saw one mosquito! When I asked one of my team why there were no mosquitos around Livingstone he said 'because of you, Jane.' I was baffled until he reminded me of our donation to Livingstone City Council towards the end of last year. The sewage ponds in town were a breeding ground for mosquitos. After donating larvicide, a non-harmful product which prevents the larva from developing into mosquito, the effectiveness of the product soon became apparent. After the larvicide was disbursed into the ponds the mosquitos soon disappeared.
In addition to the donation of larvicide The Butterfly Tree distributed four hundred mosquito nets to Chinkozya and Katombo Schools, in Nyawa Chiefdom, as well as 400 to schools in Boombwe area where we are about to complete a new health post. This facility, in a remote area of Musokotwane, includes a clinic, two staff houses, a water system, toilets and biodigester for waste.
The substantial support we have received for our malaria prevention programme is making a significant impact in reducing the number of malaria cases in children. Thank you to everyone who has helped us to make this happen.
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By Jane Kaye-Bailey | Founder
By Jane Kaye-Bailey | Founder
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