As always it is a pleasure to report on the progress The Butterfly Tree is making amongst the rural communities in the Southern Province of Zambia. I am delighted to say that our fundraising efforts topped the one million pound mark during this financial year. In addition we have donated thousands of pounds worth of medical supplies, equipment, educational material, books, sports apparatus, clothing and blankets to areas of most need.

Please follow the link to view the full Annual Report and Accounts including photos of the Royal Visit: Annual Report 2012-13

In June 2012 we were contacted by the British High Commission in Lusaka, informing us that we were to receive a visit from The Princess Royal. HRH was to represent her Majesty the Queen during a tour of Zambia, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It was such a boost for our small charity to hear this tremendous news. All the hard work of our volunteers, both in the UK and Zambia, had been acknowledged. The team and the Mukuni people spent weeks tirelessly preparing for the occasion. We funded the restoration of the schools and health centre, adorned the buildings with flags and beautiful murals painted by a local artist and school pupils provided the entertainment.

Jane with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal

When the morning finally arrived I waited at the school to welcome Her Royal Highness. I was so moved by the site of more than 1000 children lining the track as the Royal party approached the entrance. All our work revolves around orphaned and vulnerable children and I felt a huge sense of pride as I related the story of The Butterfly Tree to HRH. I highlighted the orphan sponsorship program, the special education class and the maternity clinic, all of which the Princess had chosen to see. It was a truly memorable day for everyone concerned. At the end of the visit I received a wonderful compliment when HRH turned to me and said ‘Working with orphans is difficult, but you seem to have got it right.’

Special Education project – HRH The Princess Royal pays a visit 

After all the excitement it was back to work as usual. During the year we opened a fifth school and started construction of a new health centre. This was thanks to the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, our major donor, who has helped us to advance the health and education for literally hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children in outreach villages. We are also grateful to donors who offer sponsor an orphan, this eases the burden for families who are living below the poverty line. It also prevents the children from having to leave their friends and go into an orphanage. For the first time we offered some assistance to Lubasi Orphanage in Livingstone.

We continue to seek schools that are in desperate need of support. Two of main priorities are to ensure that they each school has a supply of safe, clean water and seeds to enable them to provide sustainable feeding programs. At Mukuni Village over 400 pupils are fed daily At Mukuni Village over 400 pupils are fed daily and over 500 are being individually sponsored. There are now two boarding shelters housing almost forty pupils – before these facilities were added most of them were walking up to ten miles each way to get to school. We have funding in place for two further special education units for children with special needs who cannot attend school as there are no facilities.

Water project – new bore hole for Chuunga Community School

In the health sector The Butterfly Tree received increased funding for malaria prevention and distributed vast quantities of mosquito nets in the Mukuni and Sikute Chiefdoms. We continue to provide on going support for HIV problems, which persistently ravage the communities. This is done through the funding of workshops, particularly amongst the school children. What I find so distressing is dealing with infants who are HIV positive and sick children who are unable to seek medical attention because of the costs involved. We assist as many as possible and no doubt having the new clinic at Mahalulu will help a great deal.

Health project – medical staff houses at Mahalulu Rural Health Centre 

The amount of need can be overwhelming at times, but what is encouraging is the tremendous global support we are now receiving. Thanks to Miranda’s amazing optimization skills and the images and stories portrayed on our website, the charity has attracted people from all over the planet. I meet many visitors in Zambia and take them to see our projects at Mukuni whenever the opportunity arises. This has great results and encourages people to donate – some have funded bore holes while others offer to support orphans. We have extensively promoted travel philanthropy and volunteering to attract more visitors. The charity was short listed for the best Responsible Tourism website for the Travel Mole 2012 web awards. The website has attracted donors from the US, Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe as well as the UK. What appeals most to donors is the fact that we have no administration costs and that all members both here and in Zambia are volunteers.

 Community housing project – new home for Kamwi widow and her children

I am amazed and extremely grateful that I have had the same team working with me since 2006. I would like to thank David and Miranda, my fellow trustees, Ann, Mary, Mutsa, Wendy, and Oscar for giving up their spare time to help the charity. I cannot thank enough my wonderful team in Zambia – working alongside them I have seen each member’s commitment in helping their people to have a better future. Some of the areas we support are incredibly remote with limited access and prove at times to be exceptionally challenging. This does not deter Mupotola, Presley and Martin who never give up! Rosemary, Sweso, Stain, Jacob, the ten women who oversee the orphan sponsorship program, teachers and four cooks who daily feed over 400 children each does a remarkable job. Without their dedication The Butterfly Tree would not have been able to achieve so much. I would also like to thank Chief Mukuni for his counsel and the local tour operators, hotels and lodges, namely Sun International who supports our work in Zambia.

 Sponsor an Orphan program – beneficaries at Mukuni High School

We now have so many donors around the world that it is impossible to list them all. However I wish to express my gratitude to our major sponsor, the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission, who for four years gave us the opportunity to build entire new schools and clinics in these outreach areas. Our other major donors Saga Charitable Trust, Just a Drop, the British and Foreign School Society and The Besom have also given us substantial funds over several years. Through grant aid their support has funded bore holes, malaria prevention, classrooms, vocational courses and health facilities. Corporate sponsors Cunninghams, Brady Italia, ENRC Marketing AG and Black and White Accounting continue to generously support our cause. A special thanks to the BigGive, who doubled our donations through their Christmas Challenge. We are grateful to all the schools, clubs, churches and individuals who donate ongoing funds and the abundance of fundraisers who have climbed Mt Blanc, cycled round Brands Hatch and ran around Premier League rugby pitches! We very much appreciate your trust and incredible generosity that has helped to provide vital funds for our water, food, health and education projects in Zambia.

Jane Kaye-Bailey

Chairman