The Butterfly Tree is appealing to everyone to join World Aids Day and the fight against this incurable disease.

2 million people die every year from Aids

Leaving thousands of children without any parents. 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS, including 17.5 million women and 2.3 million children under the age of 15.  

Zambia is one of the poorest nations on earth where two thirds of the population live on less than 50 pence a day. It has one of the worst pandemics of HIV/AIDS with one in every six adults living with HIV; life expectancy has reduced to around 34 years of age resulting in 710,000 AIDS orphans – see article: HIV and AIDS in Zambia.

Photo: The importance of being testing for HIV cannot be stressed enough; by ‘knowing you status’ treatment and counselling can be obtained. The Butterfly Tree is funding this HIV workshop.

During my many visits to Zambia I have learnt a great deal about this devastating illness and I have seen first hand the suffering and heartbreak AIDs causes. Too many elderly people have been left with no children to care for them and the added burden of having several grandchildren to support.

I have seen many young teenagers having to abandon their education to support not only themselves but their brothers, sisters and grandparents. Each time I visit the list of orphans gets longer; our program to find sponsors to educate these children is vitally important. Find out more: orphan sponsorship 

Photo: Brenda was 6 years of age when she was diagnosed as HIV positive after loosing both her parents; she is now 13 and one of orphans being sponsored by The Butterfly Tree

The Butterfly Tree believes that the only way to overcome this pandemic of HIV and AIDS in Zambia, through education. We have four HIV/AIDS programs running in Zambia:  

ORPHAN SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM – £85 will educate an orphan for one year; the money will cover exam and school fees, books, uniform, shoes, school bag and a blanket for the cold winter nights.  

UNDER FIVES FEEDING PROGRAM – to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. The Butterfly Tree provides formulae to replace breastfeeding in HIV positive mothers.  

HIV/AIDS WORKSHOPS – we are providing funds for The Tusole Lwangunko Group, to educate the communities about the dangers of HIV and offer voluntary testing to rural communities.  

EDUCATIONAL DVDS – we are working with TME the Leamington Spa charity by providing the schools and communities with interactive educational DVDs on four key HIV/AIDS issues.  

Please give your to support to one of these projects The Butterfly Tree is totally committed in helping to prevent the people from loosing the next generation, your generosity could help too!

To make your donation – click here and join those supporting World Aids Day 2007.