When The Butterfly Tree was founded in 2006 it soon became apparent that there was a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness through the tourist industry. Due to its location, just seven kilometres from the mighty Victoria Falls, Mukuni Village is an ideal place for tourists to visit. Situated on a dry, sandy knoll the village, with its seven thousand population is the centre of the Mukuni Chiefdom. It is a great area to see an unspoilt traditional way of life and also a place to visit The Butterfly Tree projects and learn how, over the past six years, we have improved the health, education and water facilities for these gentle and humble people.
Responsible Tourism: the mighty Victoria Falls
Every year we attract philanthropic travellers and volunteers, who want to make Mukuni Village a part of their itinerary and get involved with the charity’s work. We work closely with local hotels such as Sun International, lodges and international tour operators who direct their tourists to the village and our website. Stanley Safari Lodge and Saga Travel give the charity $5 for every one of their tourists that visits The Butterfly Tree projects. Numerous groups, business incentive trips amongst them Brady Europe and Canon Australia and frequent individuals have enjoyed this experience, donating medical and educational supplies, clothing and monetary gifts. Some have returned to their homelands and started fundraising; their donations have provided bore holes and classrooms and many have wanted to sponsor an orphan.
In addition to visitors who just want to spend a few hours in the village we have been inundated with volunteers from Europe, US, Canada and Asia, staying from a week to several months. Students, nurses, teachers and community workers have provided much needed skills to improve the health and education of these rural people. Most recently Sooji Kim helped with the orphan sponsorship program and four students from Skip Cardiff have set up a literacy project at the school to improve the reading skills. Every year Sydney University provide us with interns to work at Mukuni Health Centre while other volunteers have built community houses and restored classrooms.
Meet the children in Mukuni Village
For both volunteers and travel philanthropers it can be a life-changing experience. Ann Sutton, joined the charity after her trip to Mukuni Village and is now our treasurer. Last week her husband, David, cycled from Lands End to John O’ Groats raising funds for our projects. Since March 2012 Grant and Marilee Gibson have been raising funds in Canada for a bore hole and mosquito nets. Once again Mike Kaye, a volunteer for the charity, will participate with his team ‘The Flying Butts’ at CyclothonUK, a cycling endurance test around Brands Hatch Circuit. Others such as Magnus Scaddan, who has never been to Zambia, have been inspired by The Butterfly Tree’s work. Magnus decided against a beach holiday and became a responsible tourist. He climbed Mt. Blanc, miraculously missing the fatal avalanche by just five hours and raised a substantial amount of money for the charity.
Magnus Scaddan at Mt.Maudit – July 2012
If you are planning a trip to Zambia, want to get involved with responsible tourism or volunteer for The Butterfly Tree please contact us for more information. Click on this fundraising link is you would like to raise funds for our cause.
