Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and one of the most stunning sites in Africa. Mukuni Village is just seven kilometres from this World Heritage site, a place of worship for the local Leya people. The forthcoming Lwiindi ceremony is celebrated by these indiginous people who call the falls ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Thousands of tourists from all over the world visit this wondrous site, staying at luxury hotels such as the Royal Livingstone and the Zambezi Sun, both owned by Sun International and for a taste of Africa, Stanley Safari Lodge or the Tongabezi Lodge. All of these companies are supporting the charityand the village.
Mukuni Village tourists: 3 young girls from the Leya tribe of the Mukuni Chiefdom
While visiting the area there is an option to take a cultural tour to Mukuni, to see the tribal people in their natural surroundings. Over the past four years The Butterfly Tree has received a substantial number of donations from tourists who have been moved by the plight of these people and inspired by the work of the charity. The Butterfly Tree team are able to give a guidied tour of Mukuni, showing them our many projects, the school children at work and the clinic in action, ending with a chance to purchase curios from the market.
Mukuni orphans receive tourists’ donations
After visiting the village there are many ways in which the tourist can get involved and become a philanthropic traveller. Either by a giving a one off donation towards a project, offering on going support or the most popular choice is to sponsor an orphan. Many of the orphans are on the orphan sponsorship program thanks to the generosity of tourists who have visited Mukuni. There is also the opportunity to return as a volunteer, something that several people have experienced and many wish to return. Saga guests include a visit to our projects as part of their itinerary and these tours have been extremely fruitful. For our American philanthropers there is now an opportunity to donate through GlobalGiving US, an organisation that helps non-profits to obtain US donations using a 501 (c) 3 certificate.
