Challenging – this is how I would describe my recent trip to Zambia! As always good progress is being made in all areas but I was faced with a number of serious problems which needed urgent attention. This proved to me how essential it is to go regularly to Zambia not only to check on our projects and see where your funding is being used but most especially to establish the most critical needs.
Driving around the remote villages I frequently come across an orphan who has dropped out of school through lack of funds or a child who needs hospital treatment; again we were able to send a number of children to Livingstone Hospital. I was joined once more by Professor Doug Saunders from Sydney University accompanied by his wife, Margie and Karen Lytle from Arizona; their support was invaluable. Due to issues in the public health sector Mukuni clinic has not received any government funding for six months. I was informed by the district health officer without The Butterfly Tree’s medical supplies and funding, boosted by generous support from Saga Charitable Trust, the centre would be closed down. In addition there was no water for four days until we repaired the leaking tank and underground pipe work preventing an outbreak of disease.
On a happier note my sons, Mike and David did a terrific job raising funds through Facebeook to build four community houses for the elderly and widows with orphans. Accompanied by Martin, one of our team members, they drove endless journeys to remote villages to collect poles, grasses, mud and water. With temperatures soaring to 36 degrees they toiled daily until all four were completed.
The Butterfly Tree Community House Baby Jane first baby born at maternity clinic
Our biggest project underway is at Katapazi Village, where we are building a 1x 3 classroom block; this will enable the school to upgrade and take in more pupils. A bore hole was added, one of three recently funded by Just a Drop and W Foundation. We are also making improvements to Katapazi clinic, adding a male ward, pit-latrines, solar panels and a paraffin fridge. This is being achieved through a grant received from Jersey Overseas Aid Commission. In the forthcoming year we aim to upgrade the schools of Siamasimbi and Kamwi, open a new school at Mandandi and a pre-school at Machenje.
New Katapazi classroom block Play Pump at Katapazi School
While visiting the six schools we are supporting I was dismayed to learn that the daily porridge, normally provided by the World Food Program, has not been forthcoming for several months. This means that many children are walking long distances to school and have to wait until supper before receving any nourishment. We are currently providing a feeding program at Mukuni for 350 children, funded by Cunninghams and have recently set up another one at Siamsimbi. Our intention is to supply porridge and beans to all these schools and provide them with seeds so they can grow vegetables and eventually become self-sustaining.
Although I love every part of my work as always The Butterfly Tree pre-school, totally funded by Gardiff, holds a special place in my heart. Listening to these chlidren singing songs in English and acting out rhymes is a sheer joy to watch. We now have 245 young children and the number is growing, which means we must strive to provide more of these invaluable pre-schools to enable early education.
The Butterfly Tree pre-school at Mukuni Ngandu pre-school
Education is the key and our orphan sponsorship program gives many pupils, who would otherwise have had to drop out, a chance to remain at school. Obviously the more we expand our support to other schools more donors are needed to sponsor an orphan. We are aiming to complete the Mukuni High School science laboratory in the next few months, this will allow the orphans to complete grade 12 with all the neccessary qualifications. Three philanthropic travelers joined me from the US – Karen Lytle, Margret Bax and Casey Short who generously donated their time and funds to improve the education at Mukuni. In December the first high school leavers will be seeking career opportunities, with your support and sponsorship they now have prospects to improve their situation. Many, many thanks to everyone for supporting The Butterfly Tree and the children of Zambia. To see more photos of happy smiling faces go to the Photo Gallery and hear the Mukuni school choirs singing on Youtube.
Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder & Chairman
