Welcome to The Butterfly Tree

The Butterfly Tree's aim is to assist rural communities decimated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia, providing improved education, feeding programs, safe water, health care and an orphan sponsorship program.

The Butterfly Tree is both a registered UK charity and Non Government Organisation in Zambia. Our success is due to two factors: 100% of funds raised go directly to the cause - all our members are volunteers.

Join The Butterfly Tree to help prevent losing the next generation.

Apr 25

Donate a mosquito net


 

A child dies of malaria every 30 seconds.
According to the World Health Organisation malaria epidemics kill more than 100,000 people of all ages every year; an estimated 10,000 of these women and 200,000 of their infants die as a result of malaria infection during pregnancy. “Malaria remains a major threat for 3.2 billion people in more than 107 countries throughout the world,” says Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro, president of the International Red Cross Federation.

Malaria is such a huge issue that it is difficult for a small charity such as The Butterfly Tree to get involved . However we already have a malaria project in place, as the Zambian communities we work in are badly affected by malaria. The disease can be treated but in some of the remote communites they are unable to get to a clinic or do not realise they have malaria through lack of education; mosquito nets are the answer. Although the government issues nets there is never enough for each member of a family, many sharing one net, which makes it impossible to get complete coverage.

We have provided malaria testing kits and TME’s edcuatioinal DVDs on ‘avoiding malaria’ and ‘bed nets’. Now we are appealing for donations to provide more children with mosquito nets.

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Donate a mosquito net for £2.50

                                                                                                                  

Apr 23

Helping Africa

For centuries African countries have been exploited, many prospering from the rich natural resources found in countries such as Congo, Zimbabwe and Zambia. These countries are now some of the poorest in the world decimated by war and poverty and the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Now it is time for the West to ‘give something back’ and help Africa overcome their numerous hardships. Earlier this year several countries in Eastern and Southern Africa suffered the worst flooding in decades; lives and livestock were lost, homes and crops destroyed, entire communities submerged in water. Is this a result of ‘global warming? There is no welfare available and the governments are so poor they have to appeal for international aid.

Where I am working in Zambia, as an NGO, close to the Victoria Falls area I see complete extremes of accomodation; from mud huts to luxurious hotels and lodges. The nation is experiencing a ‘boom’ in tourism and once again the hoteliers and tour operators are exploiting local communities. It isn’t enough just to offer employment to the people; they need health care, safe water and education. It is shameful to hear that hoteliers drain the local bore holes to water their golf courses, which is the case in some developing countries.

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Read the rest of this entry »

Apr 17

Help reduce world poverty through travel

Having previously been involved in the travel industry, since travelled extensively around the globe and now working in one of the poorest countries in the world, I have observed a great deal. Now that experience can be put to use at the seminar hosted by The Butterfly Tree at the Europe 2008 Travel Distribution Summit being staged at the London Design Centre to encourage tour operators, hoteliers and tourists to be more aware of the needs of the communities they are operating in.

For the past two years we have partnered with Exquisite Safaris Philanthropic Travel Worldwide who have agreed to donate £125 for every one of their tourists who visit our projects at Mukuni Village. This also gives the traveller an opportunity to ‘get involved’ or give something back.

I am delighted that three other like-minded organizations have agreed to join me at this event. Tourism Concern, is the only UK organisation campaigning on exploitation in the global tourism industry; Charity Challenge, gaining an award for Best Tour Operator for Poverty Reduction at the World Travel Market and Everyclick, the search engine that gives 50% of its revenue to charity every month.

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If you would like to join The Butterfly Tree at the seminar reserve your place and use the link for free registration for further information read our previous post Travel Distribution Summit  or contact Jane Kaye-Bailey jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk telephone 01926 843699 or Simon Carkeek simon@eyefortravel.com