When I first offered to raise funds to build a high school in Mukuni Village back in 2006, never did I imagine in a millions years that The Butterfly Tree would be building entire new schools, classrooms, teachers’ houses, boarding facilities as well as special education units for children with mental and physical disabilities.
We have since supported and developed 32 schools in the Kazungula and Livingstone Districts. Most recently we completed a two-phase development at N’gandu School in Mukuni Chiefdom, thanks to a substantial grant from JOA Community Works Project. This included 9 classrooms, two teacher’s houses, 3 double latrines, a kitchen shelter and a water reticulation system. The 560 pupils now have adequate space to learn up to grade 9.
Bunsanga School, in Musokotwane Chiefdom, was built by the community and run by an unskilled teacher. Unfortunately, in January the school was hit by a severe storm and the roof collapsed. Construction is now underway to build a permanent two-bay classroom block, donated by Attraction Tickets Direct, who have previously funded the development of Kauwe, Nampuyani, Singwamba and Sinsimuku Schools.
Last week we received a grant for GOAC, which will enable us to expand River View School in Sekute Chiefdom. The school has 1,150 pupils, currently there are not enough classrooms to enrol grade 10 pupils. The funding includes classrooms, latrines, desks and 1,200 mosquito nets for all the pupils and teachers, to aid our malaria prevention programme.
In addition to these school developments, we have recently donated a substantial amount of text books and desks to Mukuni, Kamwi, River View and Bunsanga Schools, thanks to donations from donors and volunteers from the UK, USA, Canada and Dubai. We will also started sponsoring an additional 25 orphans and vulnerable children at the start of the new term on the 15th May, while 6 students are being sponsored for further college courses.
Education is the key to overcoming poverty and its related issues. with your help over 12,000 children have access to an improved educational environment.