I have just returned from an eventful trip to Zambia, which included meeting Vice-President Rupiah Banda during his visit to survey the areas devastated by the recent floods.

Chief Mukuni invited me to attend the meeting when the Vice-President came to Mukuni Village. The Chief explained The Butterfly Tree’s involvement in his Chiefdom and I was given the opportunity to voice my disappointment in Zambian customs failure to release our shipment to assist the flood victims. Mr. Banda told me that it would be looked into by his office.

I personally visited the areas around Maramba, where many people had been displaced during the torrential rains from the Zambia Floods that caused such destruction. I met a new born baby living in one of the tents provided by Shelter Box and learnt of the shortages of food amongst the people. Much of the nation’s maize crops have been destroyed during the peak growing season with a famine predicted in many areas.

The water is now flowing freely at Mukuni Village thanks to Saga Charitable Trust’s substantial donation to The Butterfly Tree to enable us to replace all the leaking tanks and pipes at Mukuni Village. We are also working with Just a Drop who have generously donated funds for a bore hole at Chise (see article: Chise needs water), where the community had to draw water from a crocodile infested river. They have offered further support for the future.

One of the most pleasurable days was spent visiting the pre-school where 198 children attend three classes throughout the day. Our high school is in it’s second year though sadly many children, despite having past their grade nine exams are not able to move up to grade 10 due to lack of funds. The Butterfly Tree is currently funding almost 90 children with an orphan sponsorship but many more sponsors are needed particularly for grade 10 pupils who have not been able to attend school this year.

The maternity block is almost complete, this project was funded by a grant given to The Butterfly Tree from the Kitchen Table Charitable Trust founded by John Humphrys. Women from rural villages will now be able to attend the ante-natal clinic and deliver their babies in the new labour ward, complete with showers and toilets.

More funding is desperately needed for our on going projects at Ngandu and Kamwi villages and Siamasimbi and Katapazi, two remote communities that are in need of bore holes, education and health improvements. Now it’s back to fund-raising with prospects of an exciting future for The Butterfly Tree due to the tremendous support we are receiving here in the UK, the US and from several other countires, besides gaining more interest for potential donors in Zambia.