The law in the United Kingdom states that full time education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in Northern Ireland) and 16, the compulsory school age. In England, compulsory education or training has been extended to 18 for those born on or after 1 September 1997. All children in England between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to a free place at a state school.
I have always believed that ‘every child has a right to education.’ After working in the rural areas of Zambia for almost fourteen years it is apparent that there are still far too many children unable to attend school, despite education being free up to grade seven. From grade eight upwards school and examination fees are required, as well as uniforms, shoes, books and educational materials.
NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER SECONDARY SCHOOL, SEKUTE CHIEFDOM
In many areas of the Kazungula District I observe children being taught in traditional dwellings with only an untrained teacher from the community attempting to teach them the curriculum. Since 2006 we have built entire new schools, and expanded others, for one sole purpose – to provide advanced educational facilities for orphans and vulnerable children living in one of the poorest countries in the world.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL – MUYUNDA, NYAWA CHIEFDOM
The Zambian school year has just ended – throughout 2019 The Butterfly Tree constructed and developed more rural schools than ever before. According to the Ministry of Education we are the biggest contributor to education in the entire Kazungula District. The following projects have now been completed.
- River View Secondary School – addition of 1×2 classroom block & 2 boarding houses
- Muyunda – new community school, classroom block, borehole and latrines
- Nyawa Secondary School – addition of a science lab
- Nakawa Pre-school – complete facility for early learners – borehole, classroom and latrines
- Kawewa Primary School – 1×2 classroom block and latrines
- Mukuni Secondary School – addition of a boarding house
- Bunsanga Community School – addition of latrines complete the school
MUYUNDA COMMUNITY SCHOOL – NEW CLASSROOM BLOCK, BOREHOLE AND LATRINES
The two boarding houses at River View, and one at Mukuni, will allow more pupils from outreach villages to attend high school. We have also donated numerous desks, textbooks, equipment and much more. Chilaba school received a borehole with funding in place to provide clean water for four more schools.
SPONSORED PUPILS HAVE A NEW BOARDING HOUSE – MUKUNI SECONDARY SCHOOL
In addition, we are sponsoring some 250 orphans from six schools, more grade 12 pupils completed school this month. We have funded nine students at colleges and universities – Esther and Lillian gained their teaching certificates. Four sponsored youths are now certified builders and have constructed the above boarding houses and latrines. Natasha, previously on sponsorship, is a main member of The Butterfly Tree team and runs the orphan sponsorship programme.
EDWIN, PETER, DENNIS AND JAFTER – TRAINED AS PEER EDUCATORS AND BUILDERS WITH NATASHA
Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, our aim for 2020 is to build and expand more rural schools – construction is underway for a new satellite school close to River View. With 1,500 the school are unable to increase their enrolment, and 280 more pupils need accommodating!
Our Christmas Fundraising Appeal will continue until the end of December, raising money to buy bags of maize for orphans and vulnerable people suffering from the severe drought, which has now developed into a famine in many rural areas. We continue to distribute maize to remote areas and hope to gain more donations during this month.
A bag of maize costs just £9 and will feed a family of four for one month. The sales from our charity calendars, costing £4, will also go to this appeal. My sincere thanks to everyone who has already supported our appeal and for those of you wishing to make a donation please use this link to donate.
Jane Kaye-Bailey (Founder)
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