This Christmas is going to be vastly different for everyone due to the global coronavirus pandemic that is affecting each and every one of us. Above all it has made us realise how important our family and friends are, and the necessity to help those less fortunate.
The need in our own countries has vastly increased due to lockdowns, the furlough scheme and cutbacks, resulting in lower income and child food poverty. It is only right that we support those who are suffering close to home, but we must not forget the impact that COVID-19 is having on developing countries like Zambia.
Less than twelve months ago Southern, Western and parts of Eastern Provinces of Zambia were suffering from the worst drought in over 30 years. Shortly after the rains came, COVID-19 arrived, increasing the poverty levels and food shortages.
POVERTY IN RURAL VILLAGES IS EXTREME
Zambia depends heavily on the tourism industry as one of its main sources of income. The Butterfly Tree is based close to the mighty Victoria Falls, Mosi oa Tunya National Park and Livingstone. Many of the rural communities in this area work in the industry or rely on tourists visiting their villages. Mukuni and Simonga Villages are the main examples. Since March they have received no tourists nor any support to compensate for the loss of income.
VICTORIA FALLS – A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE
If you are struggling to shop this year due to lockdown and the tier system perhaps you would consider supporting The Butterfly Tree. Making a donation to one of our vital projects can be done via our donation page or as a Christmas gift.
-
Donate a bag of maize for a family at Christmas – cost £5
-
Donate a mosquito net, which could save a child’s life – cost £6
-
Consider sending e.cards this Christmas – the costs of the cards and stamps saved could be donated to The Butterfly Tree: You can add your own designs or use any of the five, which I have added: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JaneKayeBailey
-
Gift Cards – GlobalGiving, one of our online platforms is offering a Christmas Gift Cards: https://www.globalgiving.org/gifts/
ORPHANS AND VULNERABLE CHILDREN ARE OUR PRIORITY
Another worrying factor for Zambia is that due to the pandemic experts predict malaria cases could double this year. The distribution of interventions are being delayed because of COVID-19. The Butterfly Tree’s team is doing everything they can to continuing implementing our malaria prevention programme.
PROTECTION AGAINST MALARIA FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IS VITAL
Therefore, this Christmas our priority is to provide bags of maize for people suffering from hunger, and to distribute mosquito nets to school children to expand our ‘mosquito nets for schools‘ project. After learning that school children are contracting malaria because the Ministry of Health’s priority is to protect pregnant women and children under five, we initiated the programme in 2017 and have since donated nets to 8 schools. This is proving to be highly effective in reducing malaria cases.
PROVIDING MOSQUITO NETS FOR SCHOOLS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES MALARIA CASES
My sincere thanks to everyone who has continued supporting The Butterfly Tree during these difficult and distressing times. If you would like to make a donation for bags of maize, mosquito nets, or any of our other projects please use on one the platforms on our donation pages. Alternatively, if you prefer to do a bank transfer please email jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk for the charity’s bank details.
Jane Kaye-Bailey
