Orphans in Zambia: N’gandu Basic School

Poverty as always is one of the major under-lying causes, but people from every walk of life have been affected – from government to industry, agriculture and tourism, no area has escaped this virus that has caused so much devastation. According to the latest statistics from UNAIDS, at the end of 2010 there were 34 million people living with HIV and this same year 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses. Although in the past five years, both the number of new cases and deaths have declined globally, Zambia like most Southern African countries, is still suffering. Our aim is to intensify our HIV and AIDS prevention projects and increase the numbers on our orphan sponsorship programmes. To date we have sponsored over 500 individual orphans and improved the conditions for thousands of vulnerable children.

Young orphan – Mukuni Village

The Butterfly Tree supports a number of HIV and AIDS prevention programmes and this year we will mostly work within the schools, targeting the pupils, as we strongly believe that this is where the change can be made. As always we will continue with our orphan sponsorship programme; only this week two siblings, who had previously lost their father, have now lost their mother. If we can ensure that these vulnerable children remain in school and receive a sound education, they have hope. The alternative means having to rely on their guardians, adding further pressure to the family, which pushes them below the poverty line.

Last year a peer education for HIV and AIDS prevention was initiated thanks to Mutsa Marau, a young volunteer from London and now a member of The Butterfly Tree team. To help reduce the number of orphans in Zambia Mutsa has trained a group of Mukuni school children aged between 14 and 20 to reach out to other schools and their communities educating them about the dangers of HIV and AIDS, how to prevent it, how to live with it and how to remove the stigma that surrounds it. Girls are four times more likely to catch it than boys and will be given extra support on how to avoid getting pregnant as well as learning about the risk of contracting HIV.

Peer educators in HIV and AIDS prevention – Mukuni Village

If you would like to sponsor an orphan please complete the on line form.

World Malaria Day: Distribution of mosquito nets - Mukuni Chiefdom

Sadly I do not see very little of this funding reaching rural communities where we work. During my recent trip to Zambia I came across more new cases of malaria than in previous years. The government are supposed to provide mosquito nets to all children under five and pregnant women. The Mukuni Chiefdom has a population of 20,000, since January 2011 the community has received only 100 nets from the Department of Health. Thanks to a generous annual donation from Saga Charitable Trust we run a malaria prevention program in the Chiefdom. In March we distributed 400 mosquito nets to outreach villages as well as purchasing malaria testing kits , which are equally important. Early testing is vital especially in this region where P. falciparum is prevalent and  may result in death within hours or a few days of infection. It is also crucial that the people are educated about the dangers of malaria as early symptoms can appear to be flu-like making it imperative to seek immediate medical advice if there is a fever. If caught in time it can be easily treated.

Twin boys from Chibale contract malaria

Today I will be attending an event to mark World Malaria Day at the Commonwealth Secretariat. A number of key speakers will address and consult on global malaria. Topics will include malaria control, women and children’s vulnerability to malaria and most alarmingly the growing resistance to malaria medications. Until there is a cure prevention is essential, providing mosquito nets and malaria testing kits will continue to be one of our main priorities. You can help us!  Donate a mosquito net for as little as £5, which could save the precious life of a child.

Volunteering at Mukuni: James from the UK and Petteri from Finland

This is how it works – we are very flexible as you will be independent, though you will be working alongside a teacher, medical officer or a member of the team. There is no time scale so you may stay as long as you wish. If you are interested in working at both the clinic and the school we suggest you help at the clinic in the mornings and school in the afternoons. Please note that the schools are closed for the Christmas break during much of December, a month at Easter and for the month of August. There is also the opportunity to assist with community-based projects such as constructing houses, painting classrooms, holding workshops or working with women’s groups.

Wendy, an accountant, gave advice to women on income-generating enterprises

There are no facilities or accommodation available in Mukuni therefore we recommend that you stay in Livingstone at either of the backpackers places: Fawlty Towers or Jolly Boys  or Chanter Lodge if you want somewhere reasonably priced. For those seeking a more up market type of accommodation our partners Sun International have two hotels next to the Victoria Falls and Stanley Safari Lodge half way between the Falls and Mukuni. These arrangements along with flights will be your responsibility. To get to the village you can either take the local bus, which changes at the Victoria Falls and takes about an hour – it’s around £3 or £4 return or you can do a deal with a local taxi to take you for around £15 return. Zambia is very safe compared to most countries and the local people are extremely humble, friendly and obliging.

Mutsa from London spent four months teaching peer education for HIV Prevention

All volunteers have loved this life-changing experience vowing to return and many have joined our cause to help improve the lives of these vulnerable people. Besides working with the charity the area has an abundance of activities including safaris, white water rafting, elephant-back riding and micro-liting over the Victoria Falls. It is also close to the Botswana border where some of the best game in Africa can be seen at Chobe National Park. If you would like to volunteer for The Butterfly Tree please send an email to jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

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Old classroom at Silelo

New School at Matengu

I am pleased to report that it is not all ‘doom and gloom’ much progress is being made. The highlight of my trip was visiting the four new schools that we have constructed thanks to a hugely generous grant from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission - three opened in January and one will open next term. All of these schools are complete with teachers’ houses and latrines with the addition of a bore hole at Malima. For the Mandandi community this is a real advancement, previously 46 children had never been to school and over 30 attended only once a week due to the long distance they had to walk to the nearest school. Each new school has received a substantial amount of stationary and equipment as a result of a grant from the British and Foreign School Society. We aim to make these schools sustainable by providing seeds to produce feeding programs as well as uniform making projects to create income generation.

Another highlight of the trip was when the new British High Commissioner, James Thornton, paid a visit to Mukuni Village. The Commission had selected The Butterfly Tree projects out of all the NGO’s operating in the Livingstone area.

New school at Silelo

New school at Mandandi

Further improvements include a shelter for boarders, funded by Saga Charitable Trust, which means the older pupils can remain in Mukuni during the week. The special education project is so successful that the Provincial Department of Education has got involved. Fountaindale School has once again provided a teacher exchange program. During their recent visit the UK teachers hosted workshops for the Province, using Mukuni Special Education as a model for this exercise. It is a joy to see local children with both mental and physical disabilities receiving a sound education. The orphan sponsorship has recently had a boost, many sponsors have either visited Mukuni or found us on the internet with over twenty more children being able to join the program. Virtually 100% of our sponsored orphans recently passed to go to the high school and twenty orphans, who completed grade 12, have been able to participate in vocational courses, part of the grant from the British and Foreign School Society. A further teacher’s house at Mukuni High School has been completed as a part of a considerable donation from ENRC Marketing.

Special Education Children

Sponsored Orphans - Ngandu

Mukuni Health Centre has had a ‘facelift’ with the inclusion of a women’s shelter, kindly funded by The Besom who also funded a teacher’s house at Ngandu Basic School. Major health issues persist and once again we have funded treatment for several children. I was saddened to learn that there has been an increase in new cases of malaria during this year’s rainy season. We distributed 400 of Saga’s mosquito nets to outreach villages targeting children under five and pregnant women. While attempting to reach an area in the Sikute Chiefdom, where we are to build a new school at Sibbulo, the journey proved to be too arduous. After several hours we failed to reach the village as the track was overgrown and many areas were water-logged. It was a very frustrating journey and when we got our second slashed tyre, we could go no further. By 7.30pm the mosquito were at large – despite having insect repellent, the insects attacked through our clothing. The three of us were covered in bites and it was hours later when the rescue vehicle arrived, eventually we touched base at 12.30am. This journey confirmed just how inaccessible some of these villages are and how lucky we are to have access to anti-malaria medication.

Distribution of mosquito nets

World Women's Day

As always I hosted an event for International Women’s Day - over 100 women, including the Bedyango, Chieftainess of Mukuni, were in attendance. The theme was ‘Inspiring Futures, Connecting Girls’ and the agenda included topics on how to reduce the number of teenage pregnancies, women’s health issues and sustainable income-generating activities. A challenge was offered for groups of women to submit projects and the most original would be given start-up costs and advice. I was assisted by Wendy Calloway, an accountant who is both a donor and volunteer for The Butterfly Tree and kindly offered to give all the groups expert business advice. We have had a number of volunteers who have worked at both the school and clinic, most valuable are the seven-year medical students from Sydney University and Margaret and Casey from Oregon who returned for a fourth time to develop their goat’s milk project. We are very grateful to all our donors, fund raisers and volunteers who have helped us to reach out to many more rural communities. Funds are in place for the construction of a further school, a clinic and a Music Centre.

If you would like to further support any of our projects we have a new donate facility with British Telecom.

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World Water Day: A dry stream – Mosokotwane Chiefdom

For those developing countries that rely on local food production water is a precious commodity. This month sees the end of the rainy season in Zambia. The African bush is green and lush, the crops are flourishing and the streams and rivers are over-flowing, but this month will see the last of the rains until October. It is crucial for the local people to grow sufficient maize, which is dried and bagged to last through the dry season. However here water cannot easily be stored and unless a community has a bore hole water shortage becomes apparent. Many areas in Zambia are without access to safe, clean water and have to rely on streams containing bacteria and crocodile-infested rivers. This water has to be used for drinking, washing, crop irrigation and livestock. When the streams run dry between August and October families walk many miles have to find a water source.

To ease the situation in the Kazungula District The Butterfly Tree has added a bore hole to every school it is supporting. This gives the children access to safe, clean water and the school to have a sustainable feeding program by growing maize and vegetables. To date we have funded seven bore holes for schools and three for local communities, a further bore hole will shortly constructed at Mukuni Village. Many more are need in these remote villages, especially where hunger widespread. Diarrhoea in all ages is common and in infants it can be fatal.

New bore hole & Indian Hand Pump for Malima School – Mukuni Chiefdom

Support World Water Day by conserving our water and supporting people who suffer from water shortages and those who have no access to safe, clean water.

Charity Giving: best use of donor funds – new school for Silelo pupils

The Butterfly Tree prides itself in being able to capitalise on a donation and use it in the best possible way that will benefit the rural communities we support in Zambia.  For the past six years we have been able to use donor funds to initiate projects such as building classrooms and clinics, bore holes, malaria and HIV and AIDS prevention programs, community housing and orphan sponsorship. No administration costs or personal fees have been deducted. Our loyal and committed teams both in Zambia and the UK work on a volunteer basis, dedicating their time and energy to improving the lives of those less fortunate. Administration fees in the UK are covered by the Chairman and we do not rent office space in either country.

Beneficiaries of Charity Giving – three young boys from Mukuni Village

This month we have changed our donation facility, as the one previously used has now added costs. The new facility is Mydonate, which is administered by British Telecom and provides us with a free, secure service and an easy-to-use method. We hope that this will be a great benefit to both The Butterfly Tree and our donors. For anyone wanting to create their own fundraising page Mydonate can also be used. Sporting challenges, events, school fundraising initiatives can benefit this method.

We are also registered with Just Giving, we pay monthly fee for this facility so anyone creating their own page can link to The Butterfly Tree.  For American Donors who require a 501 (c) 3 facility we are listed on the US GlobalGiving site. There are many other ways to help raise money for our cause, these include Giving Lots - charity auction site, Everyclick - a search engine that donates to charity every time you search on the web and we are also listed on Ebay for Charity. If you would like more information please contact: jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

To make a donation please use the Mydonate service now listed on our website.

HIV and AIDS Prevention Co-ordinator – Mutsa Murau

Now these dedicated young people are ready to ‘spread the word’ and are reaching out to other rural schools. They are educating their peers on the dangers of HIV, how to prevent it, the importance of voluntary testing and how to live with it if you are unfortunate to have been born with the virus. Other issues include teenage pregnancy and other sexually transmitted diseases and surrounding issues. With our support their aim is to reach out to all the schools we are involved with and beyond. Several of these educators are from The Butterfly Tree orphan sponsorship program and it is wonderful to see the progress they have made as inviduals and a group.

Natasha – Peer Educator and orphan sponsored by The Butterfly Tree

Another volunteer, Brendan Poynton, is currently raising funds to build a Music Centre at Mukuni. This will give these vulnerable HIV and AIDS orphans an opportunity to hold concerts and social activities to raise funds and awareness to help the fight against this devastating disease. Through several fundraising events Brendan has almost reached his target and has

now organised a charity auction, through MUSIC EARTH RISE, to complete his task. There are some amazing lots including a guitar signed by Eric Clapton and a print signed by Ronnie Wood. If you would like to bid for any of the items please use the following click on Music Earth Rise Auction.

School Feeding Programs: Albert earning a sustainable income

When we hear of a young person in the west taking a life it is most likely to be fuelled by drug or alcohol abuse or perhaps bullying at school, but not from hunger. For these rural communites in Zambia hunger goes hand in hand with poverty and our aim is to address the situation at all the schools we support. Sustainable feeding programs are a long-term solution. For the past five years Cunninghams have provided funds for 350 vulnerable children to receive a daily nutritional meal at Mukuni. Many of these children have to walk several miles to school to commence lessons at 7am followed by an afternoon of activities. This feeding programme has helped to improve the health, concentration and stamina of numerous school pupils.

Kamwi Basic School feeding programme

Without sponsorship we are unable to offer such programmes in other schools, though we do provide seeds for several schools to grow produce to supplement their diet. October to March is the rainy season in Zambia therefore it is vital to plant as much maize as possible to provide food for the dry season. The daily porridge from the World Food Program is intermittent and insufficient  for three school terms. Education is the key to overcoming problems of hunger. As for Albert, though he is not an orphan he is vulnerable, and has been added to our orphan sponsorship programme and will be given funds to develop his sewing business to create sustainability for himself and his family.

Young Mukuni girl at The Butterfly Tree Pre-school

At the beginninng of December we took part in the BigGive Christmas Challenge and would like to thank everyone of our donors who patiently donated online and to the ones, including Cunninghams and Gardiff, who had previously pledged £3000. The competition was steep and funds were depleted within an hour of each day. Amazingly on the third day we reached our target of £6000, with Music Earth Rise making a significant contribution. As a result the two amounts combined total £9000 and have been doubled thanks to the BigGive philanthropy fund and their major donors.

Silelo pupils will attend their new school in 2012

2011 has been an incredible year taking on many more challenges and reaching out to new areas in the Mukuni and Musokotwane Chiefdom. In 2012 we will be building another clinic at Mahalulu in and a new school for Sibbulo community in the Sikute Chiefdom close to the Botswana border, funded by grant aid from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. We are helping thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children to have a better chance in life by improving their water, health and education facilities. I would like to thank everyone who has supported us – donors, volunteers, corporate, schools, clubs and individuals who have trusted in our beliefs, which has enabled us to make a difference in one of the poorest areas on the planet.

From all of The Butterfly Tree team both in the UK and Zambia - we wish you a very Happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful New Year!

Charity Christmas: Supper brewing for a grandmother with five orphans

If you want to find a worthwhile present, which not only offers pleasure to both the giver and the recipient, but can benefit a third party who is less fortunate, then you may like to consider one of the following options: Sponsoring an orphan in Zambia will provide an education for a child, donating a mosquito net could save a child’s life or build a house to accommodate an entire family. There are many other ways to help the orphans – donate a bicycle for a child who has to walk a long distance to school, buy a bag of maize for just £10 or donate a blanket for the cold winter nights for only £15.

Sponsor an orphan – Bright Siabenlengu, Mukuni Village

For most Zambians the highlight of their Christmas Day will be going to church, very few will have a celebratory meal or exchange presents. Two thirds of the population lives on less than one pound per day – their stress is not brought on from deciding what present to buy their family members, but whether they will have enough n’shima (ground maize), vegetables and ground nuts to feed the whole family. One young boy, just fifteen years of age, from Mukuni, recently tried to take his life because he could no longer cope with being constantly hungry. Please give this a thought when you are filling your trolley – do you really need that extra bottle of wine?

The calendar is designed to create awareness of our vital work in Zambia and to raise funds for the grassroots projects. The charity’s funds have helped thousands of children to improve their situation in life.  Each £5 that is raised from the sale of this calendar can buy an impregnated mosquito net, medical supplies for one of the three clinics we are operating in, or much needed stationery for one of the fifteen schools we currently support.

The calendar pictures highlight some of our projects at Mukuni and other villages and of course at the forefront are the orphan orphan sponsorship program. Almost everything we do is for the benefit of these vulnerable children. Providing them with clean water, nutritional food, improved education and health facilities to help the fight against Africa malaria and HIV and AIDS in Zambia is paramount.

I would sincerely like to thank the following for sponsoring the calendar: Executive Futures, The Fell Group, Three Counties Insurance, LCR Systems, INTL Global Currencies Ltd., Gardiff, Casio, ListersVolkswagon Group, Tommee Tippee, DCA, Cunninghams and Saga Charitable Trust. A special thanks to Miranda at Morphity for designing the calendar.

These captivating pictures show just a few of the pages for 2012. The high quality desk top calendar measures 21cm x 16cm and can be bought for £5 or US$10 including postage.

Second class postal charges in the UK: 1 calendar; 80p 2-3 calendars £1.50;  3-4 calendars £1.95 4-5 £2.35

Postal charges for Europe: 1 calendar £1.60; 2 calendars £2.40

Rest of the World: 1 calendar £2.40; 2 calendars £3.70

100% of all sales will go directly to the cause. To place an order complete the form below:

The project covers a variety of ways where we provide vital funds for the numerous children orphaned through the HIV and AIDS in Zambia. Most crucial is to supply a safe, clean drinking water. All schools need their own drinking water, which can also be used to provide water for gardens, enabling them to have sustainable feeding programs, essential for growth and stamina of young children. The Butterfly Tree provides HIV and AIDS and malaria prevention programs, treatment for sick children and much needed medical supplies. Our aim is to improve the health facilities for the orphans.

The Big Give Christmas Challenge – orphan support for Chaton Sitali

Education is the key to making the change. Through the orphan support program we have given hundreds of orphans an education. Many had dropped out of school due to lack of funds and to date we have sponsored over 400 individual orphans. In addition thousands more have been helped in fifteen schools throughout the Mukuni and Musokotwane Chiefdoms. We have build classrooms for mainstream and special education, teacher’s house, latrines and supplied vast amounts of stationery and equipment. We are very grateful to British and Foreign School Society for further grant aid to supply the four new schools we have built this year. Some of the funds will be used to provide further education for twenty orphaned and vulnerable children.

Five orphaned girls living with their grandmother in N’gandu Village

This is an amazing opportunity for us to reach out to many more orphans in Zambia. Please click on this link to donate – your support will give another orphan a chance in life.

7th December 2011 - we have now reached our target for the BigGive Christmas Challenge. Any further donations can be made through our website as the matched funding has reached its maximum. A huge thank you to everyone who participated, the following has been achieved:

Total of Pledges: £3000 which will be doubled to £6000

Total of Donations: £6000 has been doubled to £12,000

World AIDS Day - young Mukuni girl free of HIV

For the past five years The Butterfly Tree funds several HIV projects in the Mukuni Chiefdom of Zambia. These include orphan sponsorship, educational workshops and voluntary testing, treatment for the sick and an under-fives’ feeding programme to prevent the transmission of HIV from mother to child. Formula is provided to replace breast milk in HIV positive mothers. Since its conception in 2007 every infant accepted on our program has been tested negative. Due to high costs of powdered milk we have initiated a goats’ milk project to supplement the programme, with the aim of making it sustainable.

Mutsa Marau with a Mukuni baby

This year we have intoduced a new project thanks to Mutsa Marau, a young volunteer from London, who at our own cost, has been working in Mukuni Village for the past three months. Her HIV prevention programme to train peer educators amongst the school pupils has been a huge success. Having spent her time training these young educators, assisted by Margaret Mulenga, they are now targeting outreach villages to ‘spread the word’. Today to mark the occassion 15 members, between the ages of 14 and 20 years, will be performing at the Chief ‘s Palace as part of Mukuni Villages’ activities to mark World AIDS Day. The groups performance will include poetry reading along with the presentation of art pieces explaining how every one of them can help the prevalance of HIV in their community get to zero.

Peer educators in HIV prevention including sponsored orphans

From the 5th – 9th December all donations to The Butterfly Tree have a chance to be doubled if made through our partners, the Big Give, during their Christmas Challenge week. To participate and help to give these young AIDS orphans a chance please donate to our programme through the Big Give website.

We are most grateful to Karen Lytle from Arizona, who generously sponsored our advert in the publication. The feature was written by an award-winning journalist and the book has been published by St. James House of London. The Yearbook will be presented globally to Royalty, Heads of State and the Club’s members among many other people. It is a great honour to be included in this esteemed book and we are hopeful that it will bring forth new donors and philanthropic travellers to visit our projects close to the Victoria Falls region of Zambia.

Extract from the 2012 Yearbook

Despite its outstanding natural beauty and the warmth of its citizens, Zambia is home to many stories of suffering and tragedy. Almost three quarters of a million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in this landlocked sub- Saharan country of just 12 million inhabitants, while one in six adults carries the HIV virus. Life expectancy is a mere 35 years – and with two thirds of the population living on less than one dollar a day, few have the means to acquire expensive medical supplies in a country that is already desperately short of drugs and life-saving equipment and relies heavily on international aid.

Saving lives: Having been confronted with these heart-rending problems during a visit to Zambia in 2006, Jane Kaye-Bailey vowed to establish a charity back in Britain to tackle the issues head-on. The Butterfly Tree was born soon afterwards, and through tireless volunteer work, this respected charity has made a real difference on the ground. The Butterfly Tree’s activities have transformed the lives of numerous children, as Jane explains: ‘Three quarters of all deaths caused by malaria occur in children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa. By providing mosquito nets and malaria testing kits, many lives can be saved.

Follow link:  The Butterfly Tree in the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club 2012 Yearbook

Support Aids orphans – young girl survives lightning strike

I recently met a young orphan who lives with her aunt. During a terrific thunder storm she was struck by lightning while standing inside her mud hut. The strike hit her back creating holes her uniform and she collapsed from shock, someone managed to get her to safety before the house went up in flames. Miraculously she had only superficial burns but they had lost all their meagre possessions and clothing. Life is tough being an orphan but when faced with these kinds of challenges it becomes insupportable. The Butterfly Tree builds community houses for orphans and their guardians, in many cases these guardians are elderly grandparents who have no source of income.

Sponsored orphans  - Mukuni Village

If you would like to sponsor an orphan or donate to towards this program it will help these children to overcome their loss. In December we are participating in The Big Give Christmas Challenge, which means that any donation received between the 5th – 9th December is eligible for matched funding. Donations must be made directly to the Big Give website and will be transferred to The Butterfly Tree charity account.

37 kilometer walk to the nearest clinic       School with teacher’s house – Malima

Thanks to substantial grant aid from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission we are in the final stages of completing three new rural schools. The villages of Silelo and Matengu in the Musokotwane Chiefdom had to rely on unskilled teachers operating in mud hut structers. It was amazing to see the transformation, each school has three classrooms, two teachers’ houses and latrines. The community participation had been impressive and once approved these schools expect to open in January 2012. A third school at Malima, in the Mukuni Chiefom, has been given the same funding with the addition of a bore hole.

Silelo - old community school                     New school for Silelo pupils

The highlight of my entire trip was to see the Kamwi twins, who lost their mother and sister during childbirth. Vincent and Elvis celebrated their first birthday this month.  Last October, when I first set eyes on them, I feared they would not survive; they each weighed just over one kilo. At barely two weeks old they were sent to a remote village, after being discharged from hospital because they could offer them only water. I could not refuse to support to these helpless infants. For twelve months the charity has provided formula, clothing and blankets and all their requirements, while their grandmother has lovingly nurtured them. They have been tested free of HIV and both are happy and healthy and are testament to the vital role we play in these vulnerable communities.

Vincent showing us his standing skills        Elvis with his grandmother

October sees the start of the rains and many mud huts cannot stand up to the deluge. This is particularly hard for old people supporting orphans. In the past few months we have build an additional nine homes. Two of them have been donated by one of the volunteers, James Ashley, who helped construct the houses. Five of them were funded by ENRC marketing who have also funded a teacher’s house, HIV and AIDS prevention projects and the under five’s feeding program, which has also received support from Brady Italia. One home was donated by LSR Rotary Club, one by Aurora and the other through the Cyclothon Challenge.

New house for widow with orphans            Under-fives’ feeding programme

I had the pleasure of working with a number of volunteers, Casey Short and Margaret Bax, from Oregon, returned for a third year to continue the goat’s milk project. Mutsa Marau, a young lady from London, is spending four months at Mukuni teaching peer education in HIV and AIDS prevention. Petteri Alppi a former UCL student from Finland has documented the work of The Butterfly Tree in addition to writing a much needed Maths and English Revision guide. Claire Richardson and Hannah Lainton spent time teaching business skills to women’s groups. I have been so impressed with their hard work and dedication and thank them for helping us to make a difference.

Fundraisers: Nigel, Mike, Jake and James at the end of a 12 hour challenge

The challenge started at 7.30am and finished twelve hours later at 7.30pm. The undulating hills proved to be too much for some, especially the event organisor, Victor Umbugu, a former England rugby prop. Despite the gruelling task our amazing team persevered and earned a well-deserved sixth place out of thirty teams. Their efforts have raised over £2200 for our projects in Zambia.

   Jake tackles the undulating hills                Mike at the start of his twenty laps

During my recent trip to Zambia I was fortunate to be working with several dedicated volunteers. Mutsa Marau, who is working with pupils in the Mukuni Chiefdom, has initiated a peer education project in HIV/AIDS prevention. Petteri Allpi, a former UCL student from Finland, set himself tasks to improve the Maths and English standards in the schools and documenting The Butterfly Tree projects. A third volunteering trip to Mukuni Village for Margaret Bax and Casey Short, sees the progression of the goat’s milk project to support the under-fives’ feeding programme.

 Mutsa – HIV/AIDS Prevention      Casey, Presley, Petteri, Margaret, James and Jacob

Hannah Lainton and Claire Richardson spent a month teaching business skills to women’s groups in Mukuni and also taking lessons for children at the school. James Ashley raised funds to donate and assist in the construction of a house for a widow with orphans in addition to working with young children. The mutual benefit of having volunteers has a lasting impact on the community and creates a life-changing experience for the partaker. If you are interested in volunteering in Zambia or fundraising for our projects please contact us.

Education for Zambia - New school for pupils at Matengu to open shortly

In addition to our on going sponsors the Barrington Educational Initiative, a Swiss based private charitable endeavour, has offered to support our work. We have also recently partnered with and Travelers Gift Vacations, a tour operator that provides luxury and purpose travel. A philanthropic traveler has a chance to get involved with charitable work in one of the developing countries they are visiting. The longer I work with the charity the more I realise there is a great need for collaboration amongst small charities operating in Zambia. If we endeavour to work with other organisations together we can make a bigger impact, create transparency and help to alleviate corruption. One of our new partners is Global Partners for Health, a US based charity also working in Zambia, who aim to provide vital medical supplies for our clinics.

Health education – young women from Kamwi Village gives birth to seventh child

Tomorrow our own cycling team, The Flying Butts, will be competing in a cycle challenge at Brands Hatch. The CyclothonUK event has some thirty teams involved in the challenge to raise funds for charities. One of our volunteers, Oscar Miyanda of Basement Entertainment, is providing the music to spur the teams on. So far we have raised almost £2000 all of which will go towards our orphan programmes in Zambia. We wish Mike Kaye, Nigel Birch, Jake Wilson-Gunn and James Blackburn every success and thank them for giving up their valuable time to take part. If you would like to sponsor the team this can be done either on our website or through Just Giving, no deductions will be made.

Cyclothon UK  – raising vital funds for these Zambian children

These fundraising events help to boost vital funds to support our work in Zambia. All our work revolves around the many orphans who have lost their parents as a result of  HIV/AIDS.  710,000 children are left orphaned and desperately need our help to provide them with an education and improved health and water facilities. Our orphan sponsorship programme gives these children the opportunity to complete their education giving them better future prospects. To date we have sponsored over 400 individual orphans and helped several thousand more at the many schools we support in the Mukuni Chiefdom of Zambia.

Evelyn Makaya , Mukuni High School on our orphan sponsorship programme

We are very grateful to our main sponsors: CRB Solutions, Geddes Associates, Adacemy Leasing and Serenity Finance. If you would like to sponsor The Butterfly Tree team this can be done by donating through Just Giving or on our secure charity donation page. No fees or administration costs will be deducted, all funds raised will go directly into our grassroots projects. If you would prefer to sponsor an orphan please use this link and complete the form. Your support can make a lasting change to a child’s life.

Supplies donated to Machenje pre-school     New football to replace ‘bag & string’

Despite a quiet start to the new financial year we have a had a great boost to the funds during July and August from both individuals and corporate who have visited Mukuni Village. During their cultural tour they took the opportunity to visit The Butterfly Tree projects. Donations of blankets, mosquito nets, sports equipment, stationery and clothing have helped a number of vulnerable people in addition the clinic and the school received money. Two companies Brady Italia and Canon Australia have generously offered on going support. Individual donations came from the UK, the US, Europe and Australia some of them in the form of orphan sponosrship.

The three schools we are currently building, two in the Musokotwane Chiefdom and one in Mukuni are well under way and should be completed by the end of the year. This has been made possible thanks to grant aid form the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. We are now reaching out to fifteen schools in the Kazungula District. In addition we are supporting three clinics and many villages.

Most of our existing donors have liberally continued sponsoring orphans. The first orphans to be on our prgram have now completed grade twelve and our aim is to source funds for futher education. The Mukuni Village Fund in South Australia is now sponosring fifty orphans through our charity. However many more sponsors are needed. Due to the gloabl recession and lack of employment fra too many children, even those with parents, are failing to pay their school and exan fees.

Peter sponsored orphan completes school    HIV/AIDS education for Mukuni pupils

This month I was invited to Zurich to receive a substantial donation from ENRC Marketing AG. Unknown to us their employees held a fundraising campaign and the benficiary was to be an NGO working in one of the many countries where they operate. The Butterfly Tree was selected for haivng the best proven records of transparency and for the fact that we are all volunteers both in the UK and Zambia. All the staff gave generously with matched funding provided by ENRC’s Head Office in London. The funds rasied totalled an amazing $27,000 and will be used to build a teacher’s house at Mukuni Village, five community house for orphans and to support our HIV/AIDS prevention for children, which will include peer education, workshops and feeding programs.

Jane accepting ENRC Marketing’s donation     Employees involved in challenge

Saga, who’s charitable trust, is one of our major donors, are challenging their employees to raise funds to build a bore hole and a shelter for boarders at Mukuni. We have constructed an additional building at our maternity clinic, funded by The Besom, this will provide accommodation for women prior to labour who live a long distance from the clinic, ensuring a safer delivery of their babies. Thanks to Just a Drop four new latrines have been added to the Mukuni schools and a bore hole at Libala Basic School.

   New latrine for Mukuni pre-school              Women’s shelter – Mukuni Village

Next month, after winning a team place we are to participate in Cyclothon UK, a cycle challenge initiated by Victor Umbugo of VU Ltd and former England rugby prop. The event is to be held at Brands Hatch on the 15th September from 7am. Our team ‘The Flying Butts’ needs your support. Donations would be greatly appreciated and can be sent to The Butterfly Tree, 3 Gannaway Court, Norton Lindsey, Warwick CV35 8JR or made using our secure Just Giving page. If you are in the area any time during the day from 4pm onwards, when the excitement reaches its peak, please go and support the team and see many of the International rugby players taking aprt. We are grateful to CRB Solutions, Academy Leasing and Geddes and Associates who are are three main sponsors.

This summer we have a number of volunteers who are working at Mukuni. Mutsa Marau is doing a peer education project to tackle the HIV/AIDS issues, Peterri Alpi from UCL is improving the maths and English standards and Hannah Lainton and Claire Richards will share their business skills with womens groups

Thank you to all the individual, corporate, schools, clubs, volunteers and philanthropers who have ginven so generously to support our grassroots projects, which have improved the lives of thousands of children and vulnerable communities in Zambia.

The campaign had been organised by Marilena and Tatiana who worked tirelessly to coordinate the objective until they reached their target of 20,000 Swiss francs. Eventually three charities were selected and the employees had to vote on a winner. Amazingly The Butterfly Tree was chosen as the charity having the best records of proven transparency and for the fact that we are all volunteers both in the UK and Zambia. In just one month the employees at their Zurich office, helped with match funding from head office in London, raised a staggering $27,000 (over £16,000).

Funds for Children’s Health & Education: Jane with ENRC Marketing employees 

I was invited to Zurich where I gave a presentation on our work in Zambia before receiving this generous cheque. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet all the participants and to see the collection of moustaches and beards. The perfect day ended with a summer party on board a boat which sailed across Lake Zurich. I felt very privileged to be with such an caring group of people and inspired after learning that The Butterfly Tree was their preferred charity.

Fundraising campaign raise $27,000 for The Butterfly Tree

The funding will be used to build a teacher’s house at Mukuni Village, five community houses for orphans and the remainder will be used to boost our HIV/AIDS prevention projects for children, which will include peer education, worshops and feeding programmes.

Mutsa Marau from London has spent the past year raising funds to visit Mukuni and introduce a peer education system at Mukuni Basic and High Schools. HIV/AIDS remains the major problem within the Mukuni community leaving almost fifty per cent of the children orphaned. One in six adults is HIV positive and the longevity is merely thirty six years of age. Mutsa is determined to make her HIV and AIDS Prevention project work; educating pupils between the ages of twelve and twenty about the dangers of HIV, holding workshops and teaching during her four month visit to the village.

Volunteers to make change: education improvements at Mukuni

Joining Mutsa will be Petteri Alppi from Finland who is a student at University College, London and a member of their Global Development Initiatives. Although the teaching standards in Zambia are good many pupils fail their exams due to a lack of materials and teaching staff. Petteri has compiled educational data to help improve English and Mathematics skills at the schools. He will also assist the charity by documenting and producing videos of our projects, volunteering and the Zambian cultural way of life.

For the third consecutive year Margaret Bax and Casey Short from Oregon will be returning to Mukuni to continue their work with sustainable projects. A successful chicken farming enterprise has given a number of women an opportunity to have an income-generating activity. Last year Margaret and Casey started a goat-rearing project to assist The Butterfly Tree’s under fives’ feeding program. One of our most successful projects to date this requires a large injection of funds and due to the high cost of formula only a limited number of infants can participate. The project provides formula, to replace breast milk in women who are HIV positive, to prevent the transmission of the HIV virus from mother to child. Since 2007 all infants partaking on this program have been tested free of HIV. The production of goat’s milk will provide a nutritional supplement for this feeding program.

Sustainability – under fives’ feediging program, Mukuni Village

Our aim is to make the Mukuni Chiefdom projects models for other areas of need.

Some of the comments made by their team include: ‘It was an amazing experience that changed our outlook on life’ – ‘We were touched by the importance the community placed on educating their youth’ – ‘It was a humbling expericence with a great team of people’.

Corporate Sponsorship: Cunninghams sponsors a feeding program - Mukuni Schools

You don’t have to visit Zambia to get involved. On September 15th The Butterfly Tree has been invited to participate in Cyclothon UK, a fundraising event which is taking place at Brands Hatch. The event, which is organised by Victor Umbugo , former England rugby prop, though his company VU Ltd (Sports & Hospitality Event Organisers) will gain a great deal of publicity. This gives us a further opportunity to raise funds and gain publicity for both ourselves and our sponsors. Hence we are seeking corporate sponsorship and asking for contributions. We would include your company nmae on all advertising material, our website updates and regular posts on Facebook and Twitter. A big thank you to CRB Solutions and Academy Leasing for their genrous sponsorship and getting us off the starting block!

Gardiff sponsors The Butterfly Tree Pre-school – Mukuni Village

We have recently been accepted to participate in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, whereby pledges made before October, though do not have to be paid unitl December can be doubled. This gives us a great opportuntiy to increase funding for the grassroots projects in Zambia. All our work is to benefit orphaned and vulnerable children, we are all volunteers therefore any funds raised through these intiatives will go directly to the cause. A big thank you to CRB Solutions and Academy Leasing for getting us off the starting block!

If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved or to become a corporate sponsor kindly contact jane@thbutterflytree.org.uk

Siamasimbi: This family had walked 21 miles to the clinic

This year the gentle and humble people of Siamasimbi saw the completion of a 1×3 classroom block, teachers’ house and latrines in addition to the bore hole we constructed in 2009. Our priority for next year will be to build a clinic in the area at Mahalula to accommodate neighbouring villages such as Siamasimbi. Although certain members of the community have been trained to practise traditional birth any complications could result in death. Several women each year die during labour attempting to walk  to Mukuni Health Centre. The Butterfly Tree has recently completed a shelter kindly donated by The Besom, so that women who live a considerable distance from a clinic can go to Mukuni prior to the onset of labour. This is an addition to our Maternity Clinic, which opened in 2008, the facilities here provide a safe haven for women and infants. The Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia donates birthing kits to further improve the delivery procedure.

The Butterfly Tree Maternity Clinic – Mukuni Village

June through August is winter in Zambia. The days are gloriously sunny with temperatures reaching 22-25 degrees, however the nights are very cold and temperatures can drop to 4 degrees. Many children and elderly people sleep on the floor of their mud huts with no blankets and very few have warm clothing. Siamasimbi’s rocky terrain is at high altitude and can be exceedingly cold at night and many young children have to walk several miles to school in the early hours of the morning. Far too many children cannot afford shoes and walk bare-footed, often suffering from hunger along the way. Siamasimbi is just one of the many remote communities that desperately need further support to improve their circumstances.

Young girls at Siamasimbi walk bare-footed to school

You can help these vulnerable children by donating a uniform for £10 ($16) or shoes £15 ($24) or a blanket £15 ($24).

Help teachers in Zambia: Malima Community School House

Schools such as Mukuni Basic and High rely upon trained government teachers and with a catchment in excess of twelve hundred pupils a considerable number are required. Sadly the government cannot provide adequate housing for these teachers and it is left to the school to meet the shortfall. Since building Mukuni High School, which opened in 2007, we have encountered all kinds of problems. Although The Butterfly Tree has build some houses many more are needed in both Mukuni and Ngandu Villages. Several teachers who are residing in Livingstone, some distance from Mukuni, do not attend classes every day due to the cost of transport. Others have requested a transfer.

The Butterfly Tree Teacher’s House – Siamasimbi Basic School

When we upgraded Ngandu School in 2009 the community built two mud hut constructions to help ease the situation. This was fine until an elephant sniffed out grain in one of the teacher’s kitchens and uplifted the roof, as aresult the teacher refused to return to her home. Ngandu, one of the oldest basic schools in Zambia, built back in the nineteen forties has over 500 pupils and feeds into Mukuni High School. Like Mukuni there are a considerable number of orphans and many of them are on our orphan sponsorship programme.

Teachers’s kitchen destroyed by an elephant – Ngandu Basic School

Today starts an appeal to invite anyone to donate just £5 to help these teachers who in turn can help the orphans who desperately need an education.

The breathtaking Victoria Falls – Zambia

Today marks Africa Day and the one thing that unites all Africans is their love of music – they are born with rhythm! From their very first steps to adulthood they are natural dances and love performing at schools, in churches and at community gatherings – song and dance are part off their traditional heritage. Surrounded by such extreme cases of poverty and deprivation music can bring a light relief and is a great way to spread awareness of diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. The Butterfly Tree is working with a number of volunteers who are helping to raise funds to help the fight against these devasting diseases. Basement Entertainment supports our malaria prevention program. Brendan Mission, through Music Earth Rise is currently raising funds to build a  music centre in Mukuni Village. The pupils will be able to use it to hold concerts, drama and worshops.

Africa Day: Mukuni Basic School performing a tradtional dance

To make any lasting progress the HIV/AIDS situation has to be addressed. In Mukuni alone almost 50% of the children are orphaned, whereas one in six adults are HIV positive. We have a number of programs to help tackle this enormous problem but more funds are needed. As always education is the key and this coming year we are fortunate to have several volunteers, including Mutsa Murau, who want to work with the orphans to help reduce the number of new cases of HIV. Mutsa will assist our HIV/AIDS prevention program by training peer educators in some of the schools supported by The Butterfly Tree.

Orphans at Simasimbi Basic School

Although there is vast wealth amongst some Africans the majority of people native to countries like Zambia live in extreme poverty and rely on international aid. However we feel that it is vital to bring about sustainabilty in areas where we operate once the education and health facilities have been improved. We are developing a number of enterprises at both the school and community in Mukuni. Perhaps one day the children on our orphan sponsorship program can be supporting their own families.

Orphan Sponsorship: Peter with brother Mishek – February 2007

I am delighted to say that after four years Peter has completed grade twelve and did exceedingly well in his exams.  In his own words Peter wished to thank his sponsors.

‘It is my pleasure to show my gratitude and say thank you for opening up my life to a dream come true. You are my father and my mother who would have done the same if they were alive. It takes a strong sole to take up the work of someone else.

I must let you know that I have made it through my senior secondary with 16 points which gives me the opportunity to apply for university. It is because of you that I have achieved this, your contribution to my education and my life in all was not in vain and once more thank you for making my dream come true.’

Peter after completing high school – February 2011

To date The Butterfly Tree has sponsored over 400 idividual orphans in addition to providing nutritional feeding programs, classrooms, teachers’ houses and bore holes holes. Our healthcare projects including HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention, boosted by a recent donation from Viking River Cruises, are all for the benefit of these vulnerable children. One of the great things about working in these rural communities is that when we can assist with the orphans’ education, there is always someone who will offer to be a guardian, whether it be a family member, a friend or even a teacher. This is by far more preferable than having to leave their village and be placed in an orphange in town.

Sponsored daily feeding program at Mukuni Village Schools

There are over 700,000 orphans in Zambia alone and they desperately need your support. Education is the only way they can get out of the cycle of poverty to enable them to better their situation. For as little as £110 per annum or just £10 per month a child’s life can be transformed. The money is used to pay for school and exam fees, books, shoes, uniform and school bag. In addition to this the children receive a daily nutritional meal, such as the one at Mukuni, sponsored by Cunninghams. The Butterfly Tree provides educational workshops, using interactive DVD’s donated by TME, teaching the pupils about the dangers of HIV/AIDS, malaria, teenage pregnancy, drugs and alcohol.

If you would like to sponsor an orphan like Peter or Mishek and make another child’s dream come true, please complete the online form or contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Listen to the orphans singing with the Mukuni Basic Choir on Youtube  

Follow our progress on Facebook

Another great fundraising opportunity came about last week after winning a free place to participate in Cyclothon UK. Initiated by Victor Umbogo, the former England rugby player, the event should enable us to raise substantial funds for the orphans in Zambia. We  have three volunteers who have offered to participate - we are hoping to add a sporting celebrity to gain publicity for our team. The Paris marathon also took place and local girls Vicky and Rachel Sampson raised over £800 for the charity’s orphan support program.

Fundraising: Items donated for Machenje pre-school from South African tourists

Several groups and individuals have recently visited Mukuni – not only have they been humbled by the plight of these vulnerable people, but also impressed by the work the charity has done to improve the lives of these rural communities. The Brady Corporation, hosted by Incentivise UK kindly donated $2000 worth of stationery and blankets and Canon Australia have offered support after meeting the Mukuni school children. All our projects centre around the orphans, which includes orphan sponsorship, providing improved healthcare and education as well as safe water and feeding programs. Being able to improve their basic needs gives them a chance to move forward.

Visit the pupils at Mukuni Basic School

There are numerous ways to fundraise besides sporting events – hosting small events like Mutsa Murau who has organised a Swap Shop on the 8th May. Alex Weatherley’s parents set up a Just Giving page to invite guests attending Alex’s Christening to donate to the under five’s feeding program instead of giving presents. This can also be done for birthdays, anniversaries or any celebration. We have a number of church groups, schools and clubs as well as individuals and corporates who enable us to continue our vital grassroots projects in Zambia, through fundraising activities, donations and sponsorship.

If you would like to some fundraising for The Butterfly Tree and need any further details or advertising materials please email jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Malaria disease caused by P. falciparum may result in death within hours or a few days of infection especially in those with a low immunity such as children, pregnant women, people with AIDS and travelers with little or no malaria. It can also result in the miscarriage of pregnant women, low birth-weight infants, developmental disabilities and other complications.

World Malaria Day: help prevent Paddington from contracting malaria

Until a cure is found prevention is the only way to avert this dehabilatating disease, which is the leading cause of school absenteeism. Providing mosquito nets, malaria tests and educational workshops effectively reduces the number of new cases. Saga Charitable Trust donates annually to our malaria prevention program, enabling us to provide this vital aid. The Zambian government’s aim is to distribute mosquito nets every child under five as well as pregnant women. Sadly the supplies are insufficient and there is a massive shortfall. UCL GDI members recently hel fund-raising events during One World Week and donated the money to our program.

Just £5 ($8) will buy a mosquito net and could save a child’s life. The Butterfly Tree has produced a charity CD, called ‘Change for the Better’  this can be downloaded for £2 or £3 for a CD – all proceeds go to the malaria prevention program.

Sadly in the mainstream school many children who had passed to go into the next grade failed to do so due to lack of funds and have not been able to attend school this term. The Butterfly Tree has offered to support a further thirty pupils in addition to the four hundred who have received orphan sponsorship. Fifty of these orphans are being supported by a group of people from Australia.

The most rewarding part of my time in Zambia was to see the Special Education classroom, funded by The Besom, in full use. Stanley Safari Lodge provided the equipments and furnishings. To see these children with impaired hearing and learning difficulties is a humbling experience and a rare opportunity for children in remote villages. Fountaindale School in Nottinghamshire organised a teacher exchange to assist this program, both parties benefitted from this experience – it was a pleasure to welcome Reverend Presley Mulenga and Thomas Chanda to England in February and to join the UK teachers during their visit to Mukuni.

 Siamasimbi 1×3 Classroom              Special Education Class – Mukuni 

Some of you may remember the plight of the premature baby boys who lost their mother and triplet sister in childbirth. I am delighted to say that after five months of providing powdered milk, clothing and equipment the twins are strong and healthy. Funding healthcare continues to be one of our main priorities – the invaluable under-fives feeding program, the provision of mosquito nets, and treatment for sick children and most importantly HIV/AIDS prevention support.

On the 8th March I hosted a lunch and workshop in recognition of World Women’s Day. Many of the key issues were discussed, predominantly the need to empower women. We have initiated a number of sustainable income-generating enterprises through micro-financing. One of these is a goats’ milking project funded by Margaret Bax and Casey Short.

        Twins Boys – Vincent & Elvis                     World Women’s Day

Once again I was able to escort a couple of Saga groups to see our projects. Saga Charitable Trust continues to generously support our malaria program and in addition they are donating $5 for every Saga tourist to visit Mukuni Village. Many of these visitors have given individual donations or sponsor an orphan.

We are being inundated by requests for people who want to volunteer in Zambia. Most recently two medical students from Sydney worked in the clinic and Charlotte and Alissa from London who spent four weeks teaching at Kamwi School. This month they are walking to the top of Kilimanjaro to raise funds for The Butterfly Tree. Brendan Poynton, who is raising funds for a Music Centre at Mukuni, is holding monthly music events in London – there are many others who are working hard to support our cause.

We have a number of local volunteers helping The Butterfly Tree in Zambia and one that I am extremely proud of is Jacob Siatubitu. Jacob was sponsored by The Butterfly Tree to attend High School. After receiving good grades in all subjects he has applied to go into nursing. To gain experience while he is awaiting his interview, Jacob volunteers daily at Mukuni Health Centre cycling from his home in Kamwi Village, where he looks after his elderly grandmother.

Charlotte teaching netball - Kamwi      Jacob registering patients - Mukuni clinic

Thanks to another generous donation from the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission 2011 has some exciting prospects in store – three new schools are to be constructed; a bore hole and a number of latrines in the Mukuni and Musokatwane Chiefdoms. A further bore hole and latrines have been donated by Just a Drop. Thank you to all of our donors, supporters and volunteers who has helped us to reach out to more orphaned and vulnerable children in these remote villages of Zambia.

Warmest regards,

Jane Kaye-Bailey

With no available money the grandmother was struggling to cope, relying solely on gifts from well wishes. After hearing that the twins would not survive without powdered milk The Butterfly Tree stepped in. Three and a half tins of formula are consumed a week by these hungry boys. At seven pounds ($11) per tin this was an impossibility for most Zambians with an income let alone someone from one of the poorest villages on the planet.

Vincent with his grandmother

Elvis with his aunt

I was moved to tears when I returned to Kamwi and saw two  plump,  healthy and happy babies. The grandmother, with the help of her sister, has taken great care of them and the staff at Mukuni clinic informed me that apart from a common cold they had rarely been sick. They have had two tests for HIV, both were clear and need only one more which we pray will be negative. Besides milk we have provided clothing, equipment and healthcare. Funding these helpless infants shows that it is vital to continue our support to improve the lives of these vulnerable people.

A further donation from Just a Drop will enable us to build a bore hole at Libala Basic School which was was closed last year, by the education authorities, due to lack of safe drinking water. It is sad to think that these pupils have been deprived of education for almost six months. Water is an essential part of life, one of our aims is to provide safe clean drinking water for all the schools and villages we operate in. This donation also includes two additional double pit-latrines for Mukuni Basic School. Sanitation is a huge problem in rual communities where many people rely on the bushes. Schools that have insufficient latrines can be closed down.

Fundraising: Water is life - dried stream Mukuni Chiefdom

We  have a number of current fundraisers who deserve recognition: Brendan Mission is raising £10,000 to build a music centre at Mukuni to create awareness of  orphans and HIV/AIDS prevention which will be used for concerts, drama and worshops. On the 1st March Brendan is hosting a Music Earth Rise event in London; if you live in the area please go along. Margaret and Casey from Oregon have raised funds for a goats’ milk project to support our under fives’ feeding program, which replaces breastmilk in HIV positive mothers. Next month will see University College London supporting our orphan sponsorship and malaria prevention  programs. Members of their Global Development Initiatives Society have selected The Butterfly Tree to be recipients of their annual ‘One World Week’ fundraiser. 

Recipient of the orphan sponosrship program – Mukuni Village

We are delighted that so many people are giving up their time to provide vital funds for our work in Zambia and are grateful to everyone for donating time and funds to help us. Without this support we could not have achieved so much. Thousands of orphaned and vulnerable children are now receiving an education, have access to safe clean drinking water and improved health facilites. If you would like to get involved, sponsor an orphan or fundraise for The Butterfly Tree all the details are on the website or for further information contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk Last year Facebook featured ‘our story’ to go out to their 500,000 million users – please join The Butterfly Tree community page so that we can get further recognition from Facebook.

Mukuni teachers - Thomas & Presley visiting the Tower of London

Last year thanks to a grant from The Besom we were able to build a classroom for children needing Special Education. Prior to this there was very little hope for these vulnerable children. Stanley Safari Lodge have donated equipment, learning materials, furniture and toys to assist with the development of this class. Children with learning difficulties, ones who are partially sighted and ones with impaired hearing can now be taught in a happy and colourful enviroment. Thomas is an excellent teacher dedicated to improving the lives of these special pupils.

The charity funded physiotherapy for Joseph who has cerebral palcy

The last two days of Thomas and Presley’s visit were spent in Warwickshire and London. A whirlwind sight-seeing trip to the capitol, where my sons and I took them to virtually every major attraction, gave them an insight to a very different world to that of village life in Mukuni. It was a humbling experience for us most especially seeing them enjoy a variety of food so very different to the three meals of ground maize which is all their meagre salaries can afford.

Next month the two Fountaindale teachers are to visit Mukuni Village. Fountaindale also donated many items for the classroon and have vowed to set up an ongoing project to benefit both schools. We are very grateful for this support and found it an absolute pleasure having Presely and Thomas visit us.

2011 has got off to a prosperous start with many more donors offering to sponsor an orphan, fundraisers organising events as well as volunteers planning their trips to Mukuni. There are so many ways that you can get involved without having to break the bank. What has helped us considerably are the number of donors who have offered on going support, which has enabled The Butterfly Tree to continue feeding programs in schools, malaria prevention and HIV/AIDS prevention in clinics and sponsorship for initiatives such as the Mukuni pre-school.

More schools for Zambia - feeding program at Kamwi School 

Over the next few months we will start work on three new schools in very remote areas - one in the village of Malima in the Mukuni Chiefdom and the other two in Matengu and Silelo in the Musokotwane Chiefdon, a new area of expansion for the charity. Each community has impressively attempted to create an educational environment for their children using mud hut structures and untrained teachers.To assit them The Butterfly Tree is to build three classrooms, six teachers’ houses, twelve pit-latrines with the addition of a bore hole at Malima. These community schools will then become basic schools with trained teachers provided by the government. Education is the key and without it these vulnerable people will not move forward. Once the rainy season is over in March our work will commence and we look forward to what we hope will be another beneficial year for education in Zambia.

More schools for Zambia – new school coming in 2011 for Silelo children

If you would like to get involved in fundraising, orphan sponsorship or a particular project contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

Many people are unaware that just a few miles from exotic hotels, such as the Royal Livingstone Hotel situated in one of the most stunning locations in Africa, live some of the poorest people on the planet. My visit to Mukuni Village left such an impression that I have spent the past five years raising funds and awareness in an attempt to improve the health and education of thousands of HIV and AIDS orphans in Zambia.

Philanthropic Travel – see rural life in Mukuni Village

A trip to Mukuni, although very moving, can be fun and rewarding. The people are humble and friendly and go about the daily chores in a dignified manner. Numerous tourists, after visiting the village, have contacted The Butterfly Tree and donated to one of our local projects or sponsor an orphan. Some of these travellers have returned as volunteers for The Butterfly Tree, where they have had the opportunity to teach at the school, assist at the clinic or work on one of the building projects. We do not run a volunteer organisation as such, therefore travel and accommodation arrangements have to be made by the participant. The charity can give advice on what is available and which projects to work with. Whether it’s just a visit to the village for a couple of hours or a stay of several weeks, becoming a philanthropic traveller or a volunteer can have mutual benefits for all parties concerned. Without exception everyone who has been involved longs to return.

Volunteer - work with the Mukuni children

If you like further information on philanthropic travel or volunteering please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk

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I am saddened to announce that Shaun Crystal, one of the singers who donated his time and expertise for our charity song, ‘Change for the Better’ passed away in December. His memory will live on in his great music.

Working in one of the poorest nations on the planet, where thousands of children have been orphaned through the HIV and AIDS in Zambia pandemic, makes me realise that we have got it wrong.   These desperately poor communities need food, water, health and education. Fortunately for many people in Mukuni Village life has improved considerably this year. The charity has built extra classrooms, more orphans have been sponsored and much has been done to improve the education and health facilities for Mukuni and several other outreach villages.

Greetings from Mukuni: Lillian Mweene with her daughter

2011 promises to be another successful year for The Butterfly Tree kicking off with substantial grant aid once again awarded by the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. This grant will enable us to build three new schools in remote areas; one in Mukuni and two in the Musokotwane Chiefdom. Saga Charitable Trust has also ensured that our Africa malaria program continues with another generous donation for next year. Many of our supporters have sent Christmas donations and some sponsor an orphan, making it our most successful year to date.

Jane with children from Mandandi Village

On behalf of the team and Mukuni Village I would like to genuinely thank everyone for your bountiful support and wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful and healthy New Year.

Christmas Gifts – donate a gift to help these vulnerable children

Christmas Day in developing countries, such as Zambia, means going to church to commemorate the birth of Jesus. No one eats special food; there are no gifts to open and no activities taking place. On the 25th December, like any other day, life is a struggle. Poverty, disease and hunger are hard to overcome. If you are struggling to find that perfect gift for someone special who has everything, perhaps you would like to consider the following:

Sponsor an orphan, donate a mosquito net, buy exercise books, build a house for a widow with orphans or buy a bicycle for a child who walks long distances to school. Whichever you choose 100% of your donation will go directly to the project, no fees or administrations costs will be deducted. If you would like to give someone a ’stocking filler’ and help the charity at the same time our popular calendar is available to order for just £4 plus postage or our charity CD, ‘Change for The Better’ for just £3 plus postage.

Do something different this Christmas and donate your gift to a Zambian orphan, it will most certainly be put to good use and most definitely will not end up in the bin!

For more details on how to get involved or purchase a gift contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk or simply donate using our secure online page, your help however small will be greatly appreciated.

World Aids Day: An HIV positive orphan sponsored by The Butterfly Tree

HIV and AIDS education is the key, particularly in developing countries. Providing educational workshops, helping to remove the stigma and voluntary testing is crucial. Unlike malaria HIV is slow to develop, therefore many do not take it seriously. Women are four times more likely to be infected then men, not only putting themselves at risk but also their unborm babies. For the past four years The Butterfly Tree has successfully run an under-fives feeding program in Zambia for HIV positvie mothers. This gives them the opportunity to replace breast milk with formula to prevent mother to child transmission of the virus. This method has proved to be very effective as all the children on this program since 2007 have been tested free of HIV. It also encourages more women to come forward and be tested.

Children free of HIV on the under-fives feeding program

In the UK there are over 90,000 reported cases of HIV, many more are undiagnosed. Understanding the facts of HIV, removing the stigma and knowing your status are essential motives to not only protecting your own health but to the well-being of those close to you. Today in recognition of World Aids Day our charity is funding a workshop in Mukuni Village.

The calendar pictures highlight some of our projects at Mukuni and other villages and of course at the forefront are the orphan orphan sponsorship program. Almost everything we do is for the benefit of these vulnerable children. Providing them with clean water, nutritional food, improved education and health facilities to help the fight against Africa malaria and HIV and AIDS in Zambia is paramount.

I would sincerely like to thank the following for sponsoring the calendar: Executive Futures, The Fell Group, Three Counties Insurance, LCR Systems, INTL Global Currencies Ltd., Gardiff, Casio, ListersVolkswagon Group, Tommee Tippee, DCA, Cunninghams and Saga Charitable Trust. A special thanks to Miranda at Juggle Frogs for helping me to produce the calendar.

These captivating pictures show just a few of the pages for 2011. The high quality desk top calendar measures 21cm x 16cm and can be bought for £4 plus postage, US$10 including postage.

Second class postal charges in the UK: 1 calendar; 80p 2-3 calendars £1.50;  3-4 calendars £1.95 4-5 £2.35

Postal charges for Europe: 1 calendar £1.60; 2 calendars £2.40

Rest of the World: 1 calendar £2.40; 2 calendars £3.70

100% of all sales will go directly to the cause. To place an order complete the form below:

Education advancement: new 1×3 classroom block for Mukuni Basic School

The children of Mandandi used a simple mud hut as a school, where they were taught by untrained teachers. The addition of a brand new school has been welcomed by the community, trained teachers will be provided by the government for the opening in the new year. A new pre-school classroom has been built for the children of Machenje Village, with the aim of being supported by the community through income-generating activities. The flagship of the all our constructions is the new 1×3 classroom block, complete with an office and storerooms at Mukuni Basic School. The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission funding also included a much needed staff house for the clinic at N’songwe Village. This is the third clinic we are supporting.

New pre-school for Machenje children & Special Education class & donated bicycles

The Besom funded a Special Education classroom, which has also attracted a number of donors including Stanley Safari Lodge and Fountaindale School. The 230 young children had totally outgrown the Mukuni pre-school funded by Gardiff and now has an additional classroom, built in memory of Sandra Challenger, a former Saga employee. Joining me on my recent trip to Zambia was Janice Lee, Director of Saga Charitable Trust who support our malaria and other health projects at Mukuni Health Centre. With the rainy season underway this funding is crucial in providing mosquito nets to support our Africa Malaria program.

A grant from the BFSS gave us an opportunity to supply six schools with much needed stationery and equipment. LSR Rotary Club in Leamington Spa selected The Butterfly Tree as their international charity for the second year running. Their fundraising efforts have paid for the construction of several new homes for widowns and orphans and bicycles for school children, making their journey to school much easier.

New home for a widow with six children - Mosquito nets donated to the community

Two volunteers, Margaret Bax and Casey Short from Oregon, have worked tirelessly, spending two months during 2009 and 2010 to set up sustainable income-generating activities for women. Using the funds raised amongst their friends and families the Acme Chicken project is in its second year and a goats’ milk project will soon be underway. These projects are a vital part of our work if the communities are to stand on their own feet and not rely entirely on international aid.

Our under-fives feeding program, now funded by Karen Lytle, is making a substantial difference, since its initiation in 2007. Every child who attended the program is free of HIV after receiving formula and fortified porridge; this replaces breastmilk in HIV positive mothers to prevent the transmission of the virus.

I had to deal with one of the most heartbreaking stories I have encountered in almost five years of working in Zambia. Elvis and Vincent were born two months’ premature after their mother went into labour at seven months and died in childbirth with a third baby. The Butterfly Tree has offered to support these helpless infants who need four tins of formula a week. Dealing with this case reconfirmed just how vulnerable these people are and how desperately they need our help. Advancing the health and education facilities will hopefully reduce the number of these distressing cases. The support we have received this year has been overwhelming, as you can see your donations have been used to make a difference to the lives of many people, please continue this vital support.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Founder & Chairman

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The infants’ mother, from Kamwi Village, was seven months pregnant when she went for a routine check-up at Mukuni Maternity Clinic, funded by The Butterfly Tree. A simple test showed that she was suffering from anaemia and she was subsequently referred to Livingstone General Hospital. Two days later, having gone into premature labour, she died in child birth with one of the three triplets. Due to  the lack of scanning equipment no one knew that she was expecting three babies. The distraught grandmother left the hospital leaving the medical staff to care for the two remaining baby boys. For twenty-four hours they were given only water until their father’s mother arrived taking them under her wings. Relying on ‘well-wishers’ she set about nurturing the two boys, each weighing just over one kilogram.

Mukuni Babies – Vincent

The infants were to remain in hospital for two months, however there was no formula available and no support on offer from social services. They were too small be be taken to an orphange. After two and a half weeks the infants, weighing only 1.4 and 1.6 kgs, were discharged! Having previously sent blankets and clothing, kindly knitted by Solihull Inner Wheel and mosquito nets and baby products donated by Mellors Chemist in Warwick, I went to visit these new arrivals at their rural home in Kamwi Village, some seven kilometres from Mukuni and twenty-three from the hospital. I learnt that the father was unemployed and that they had sufficient funds for just one week’s supply of formula and only two feeding bottles. I was reduced to tears when I saw these helpless infants with no mother, lying on their grandmother’s bed; it was heartbreaking and impossible for someone from the West to comprehend how little these people have. Pieces of torn material were being used for nappies, Lifebouy soap for washing them and only a minute paraffin flame to assist the grandmother during the night for their three hourly feeds.

Three weeks old – Elvis

Hence my shopping mission in Livingstone – nappies, feeding bottles, formula, brushes, clothing, blankets, baby products and Milton; all the things that we take for granted and have readily available when caring for newborn babies. To give the father a chance to support his sons the charity has donated a bicycle so that he can collect charcoal to sell in the village and has also given seeds to grow maize. The grandmother accepted money for food to keep up her strength. For the first time in two weeks I saw the father smile having been in complete shock after his tragic loss. The rainy season is under way, which increases the risk of diarrhoea, pneumonia and Africa malaria, so it is crucial that they are well protected.

Before I left Zambia I took them for a review at the hospital – Vincent’s weight had remained the same and his brother Elvis had gained, both now weighing in at 1.6 kilograms, but no loss! The nurse was very happy with their progress. The baby boys will now be put on The Butterfly Tree under-fives’ feeding program and have weekly check-ups at Mukuni Health Centre. These infants have a long way to go before they are out of danger, but I have no doubt that the father and grandmother will do everything they can to help them to survive.

Africa Malaria – help to prevent this young Mukuni boy from getting malaria

Mosquito nets should be provided by the government for all under fives and pregnant women, however this is not always the case. Working in rural villages I find that there is a huge shortfall with several children sleeping under one net. Equally as important are malaria testing kits as the disease is easily treated if caught in time. In the areas where we have distributed nets no new cases have been reported, however there were 65 new cases in an area where we were unale to reach. Mukuni Health Centre has not received any testing kits for three years from the health department and without our support the statistics would be much higher. Thanks to a generous annual donation from Saga Charitble Trust we are able to provide vital workshops, educating the communities on the dangers of Africa malaria and the importance of nets and testing kits.

Buy this song – it could save a child’s life

Earlier this year we launched a charity song called, ‘Change for the Better‘ to raise further awareness and funds for the global fight against malaria. Basement Entertainment are hosting an event, to celebrate Zambian Independence Day, in London on the 23rd October to further promote the cause. Their theme will be ‘Change for the Better’ and The Butterfly Tree with be the beneficiary of this event. The CD and download are available for purchase, with all profits going to our malaria program, via: www.changeforthebetter.bandcamp.com

We have been asked many times, why after four years, are we still working in the same Chiefdom. The answer is simple, by doing this we can ‘make a difference’. Spreading ourselves too thinly on the ground would not have such a great impact. Concentrating on a specific area, providing the essentials in life – safe, clean water, feeding programs, improved health and education facilities leads to sustainability. Once this is in place, we can look further afield and spread our ‘wings’ to a new Chiefdom. Funds permitting, we are hoping that this will happen in the forthcoming year, though our base will remain at Mukuni Village.

All our projects have benefitted from these increased funds and many new ones have been introduced. Two additional bore holes have been put in place. Invaluable feeding programs at five more schools have commenced and each school has been given seeds to grow maize to supplement these programs. Vast amounts of stationery have been donated to six new schools in addition to the existing four we continually support. Bicycles have been purchased for pupils travelling long distances to school and donkeys have been offered to provide transport for disabled children. The classroom block and clinic at Katapazi, our biggest project this year, has been completed.

Despite the government’s efforts to curb the HIV/AIDS pandemic there are still far too many African children being orphaned. As always we continually seek new sponsors and many have offered support after visiting Mukuni Village, just seven kilometers from the Victoria Falls. We have put a substantial amount of funding into our health projects; one of the most rewarding, yet humbling results, is to learn that all the babies on our under-fives feeding program (part of our HIV and AIDS Prevention program) have recently been tested free of HIV. Diseases such as HIV, TB and malaria are prevalent in the region; malaria is the biggest killer of man.

Every forty seconds someone dies from malaria. 75% of deaths occur in children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa. The Butterfly Tree provides Malaria prevention; mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and educational workshops. This year to mark World Malaria Day we launched our own charity song, ‘Change for the Better’, to increase global awareness and raise funds for the fight against malaria. The song features three Zambian artists and a young woman from Mukuni, who has received sponsorship through The Butterfly Tree. I cannot stress enough how vital this program is. Our latest results have shown, that in areas of net distribution, no new cases of malaria have been reported, however many more areas need help.

Once again we have been able to fund several successful operations and treatment for children and the elderly. Nine community houses have been built for widows with orphans and a number of sustainable projects have been initiated, amongst them are poultry and goat rearing, vegetable growing and sewing.

With your continued support, 2010 is definitely going to be a ‘Change for the Better’.

Read more… Click for 2010 annual report and account

Jane Kaye-Bailey – Chairman

In recognition of global Peace Day The Butterfly Tree is fundig a workshop at Mukuni to highlight the importance of our work in these remote communities.  HIV and AIDS in Zambia is a virus that can be caught at any age most especially for babies born to an HIV positive mother. One of our most successful projects is our under fives feeding program, which provides formulae to replace breastmilk. It has also encouraged more women to come forward to be tested. Today we will be inviting women and their families to participate in a workshop at Mukuni Village, further educating the people of the dangers of this devasting disease, helping to remove the stigma and to encourage more people to be tested.

Peace Day: Young children at Siamasimbi joining hands – a sign of love & peace

To enhance our work at Mukuni Brendan Mission is raising funds to build a music centre at Mukuni. This will be a great place  for the school children throughout the Chiefdom to perform music and drama to raise further awareness of HIV/AIDS. Concerts can be held to make the project sustainable and give the pupils a chance to ‘make change’ through music. Brendan is launching three songs and donating all the profits to The Butterfly Tree. On the 30th September Brendan will be doing a sponsored cycle ride from London to Devon where he will perform a gig. The songs can be pre-ordered for download on the 3rd October.

Two young American girls, Sammi Cohen and Madison Sacks have also been working hard to raise funds for The Butterfly Tree. Their initiative was to collect change from all their classmates and make it into a competition to see which class could raise they most money. They collected an amazing total of $3762. The staff at Natwest in Warwick completed a 10k walk on Sunday for the charity. Gordy Munro has been trying for two years to do a sponsored Skydive for the charity; after six cancellations due to bad weather he finally completed it on the seventh attempt. We are very grateful to all our supporters, the ones doing challenges and fundraising deserve a very special thanks for giving up their time to support our cause.

Sponsor an orphan: Elena Malala lives in Kamwi Village with her elderly grandmother

The Butterfly Tree orphan sponsorship program has given hope to almost 400 children and the numbers are rising. Last month an association in Australia – the Mukuni Village Inc. Generously offered to sponsor twenty orphans in addition to the 30 they sponsored last year. This has given the program a huge boost. We have many donors sponsoring between one and ten orphans, some have been with us since 2006 coming from several different countries. We are extremely grateful for this support and hope that this continues as we need many more people to sponsor an orphan.

One man who was so touched by the plight of the orphans after volunteering at Mukuni is doing a fundrasing event to build a music centre for the school. Brendan Poynton, a musician, will cycle from London to Devon to perform a gig to raise additional funds. Chiswick TV are filming the story and event which is to take place on 30th September.

Mukuni pupils on the orphan sponsorship program using the guitar donated by Brendan

Virtually all of our projects in health, education and community work are for the benefit of these vulnerable children. By offering them a chance to go to school, eat a nutritous meal and drink safe, clean water they have a chance in life. Education is the most important aspect of an orphan’s life. Our aim is to get as many of these orphans back into education as possible and to build classrooms in areas where there are no schools. Ten schools in the Mukuni Chiefdom are receiving our support and it is hoped, funds permitting, that we can develop schools in the Musokotwane Chiefdom in 2011.

Victor Simango securing a job after being sponsored by the charity

In December we had our first school leavers after completing their A levels at the high school built by the charity. Although umemployment is extermely high one young man who had been on ourorphan sponsorship program secured a job with Sun International. Victor Simango works as a security officer at the Zambezi Sun Hotel alongside the Victoria Falls and is very grateful to his sponsor who gave him the chance to improve his situation. Help us to help more of these vulnerable children.