Orphan Education Support - Zambian Villages

After reporting that 2022-23 was a highly successful year for The Butterfly Tree I am pleased to say that this year, so far, is going exceptionally well. More schools are being developed or expanded and orphans that have been supported by the charity from an early age have gained employment. 

Two community schools, Malombe and Katubya in the Kazungula District of Zambia, had only mud and pole constructions. Neither had access to safe water. Malombe now has a 1x2 classroom block and a borehole (well). The construction was built by two skilled builders who was sponsored by the charity. This week a borehole was installed at Katubya and construction of a 1x3 classroom block will commence this month.

Two secondary schools, River View and Musokotwane, that were developed by the charity are to receive additional support due to the increase in pupil numbers. River View now has in excess of 1,700 pupils from early learning to grade 12. The Ministry of Education is splitting the primary and secondary to make two schools, each will have their own head teacher. We are about to construct a 1x3 classroom block for the secondary section, this will also be built be our trained youths.

More young people under sponsorship have recently completed skill courses. The courses included hotel management, catering, forward and clearing, and building. One of the young men on the building course was awarded 'student of the year.' He will shortly join the team at River View to gain experience.

During a recent recruitment by the Zambian army eight young people who were sponsored by The Butterfly Tree have been enrolled. This is quite rare for an orphan or vulnerable person from a rural village to be selected. 

The special education class at Mukuni had a treat when a donor offered to fund a party for them. A cake, sodas and biscuits were given out and the children danced to music. There are 27 children in the class, and each has been given a school jersey as it is currently winter season in Zambia. 

Our sincere thanks to all our donros who continue to support this worthwhile project which is helping to change lives for the better. 

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree - Education Projects

Last week I returned to the UK after spending three weeks in Zambia checking on our many projects and sourcing new ones. I find it hard to believe it is now over seventeen years since I first visited Mukuni Village. Starting with an orphan sponsorship programme The Butterfly Tree branches have grown significantly. We have projects throughout the Kazungula District as well as Livingstone and Zimba Districts.

Today we are building entire schools, health posts and community houses. We install boreholes and water reticulation systems, and sanitation for remote schools and communities. We provide support for HIV prevention and Girls’ Empowerment and initiate sustainable income-generating enterprises for women and youths. We help the global fight against malaria.

None of this could have been achieved without the generous support of our donors, some have been donating since 2006. The money we raise comes from grant aid, trusts, individuals, corporate, schools, clubs and other organisations. Every donation we receive, whether it be big or small counts, and helps to improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable children on the planet.

We have a wonderful team of volunteers both in the UK and Zambia who are committed to our grass root cause and have been paramount in the charity’s success. Working alongside our Zambian team gives me an incite into how much time is needed to initiate, manage and monitor the projects on the ground. I drove over 1,200 km while in Zambia to visits schools, communities and health posts. To access these remote areas, the tracks are often hazardous, during the rainy season some become impassable.

These journeys give me the opportunity to meet pupils, teachers, and medical staff and and to engage with the local communities. I see first hand the need but always ask the people what is required rather than telling the people what they should have. The difference a school borehole or classroom can make is remarkable. The difference a rural health post makes can be life-saving. Below are some of the main objectives we achieved during the past year.

PROJECTS FROM MARCH 31ST 2022 TO 1ST APRIL 2023

• Health Post – Katondo including a clinic, two teacher’s houses, borehole and toilets
• Health Post – Boombwe including a clinic, two teacher’s houses, borehole and toilets
• Completion of classrooms – Mukuni, Kamwi and Sichifulo schools
• Two teacher’s houses – Musokotwane Secondary School
• Restoration of a primary school classroom and one for special education – Mukuni
• Boreholes – Mambwa, James Siachema, Simukombo and Ngandu schools. Namyola and Hamoomba communities
• Sustainable community project for women in Sekute
• Donation of seeds and fertilizer – 50 schools in the Kazungula District
• Distribution of ground maize to 2,500 households in four Chiefdoms
• Distribution of mosquito nets to schools in Sekute and Nyawa
• Donation of textbooks, materials, and desks – primary, special education and secondary schools
• Donation of medical supplies – Simango, Mambova, Bunsanga and Mukuni clinics.
• Sponsorship for orphans at seven schools, and for university and college students.
• Sports sponsorship and football tournaments – selected charity for the Blackpool Cup

AWARDS 2022-23

• Scotland Prestige Awards ‘Education Charity of the Year‘ – winner.
• Central England Prestige Awards ‘HIV Support NPO of the Year’ – winner.
• WAFA AWARDS shortlisted for the ‘FOOD’ Category – winner to be announced. 

Many thanks to all our global donors, fundraisers, trustees and volunteers, both in the UK and Zambia, for making this another outstanding year for The Butterfly Tree, and most importantly for its beneficiaries.

Links:

• The Butterfly Tree Newsletter