Amid the alarming, shocking and disturbing daily news due to the COVID-19 global pandemic I would like to bring you some good news. Yesterday we completed another financial year for The Butterfly Tree, and I am delighted to inform you that 2019-20 was by far the best year since the founding of the charity in 2006. We not only doubled last year’s donations but completed more projects than ever before, as well as providing emergency food relief to thousands of people affected by Zambia’s worst drought in 30 years.
1X2 CLASSROOM BLOCK – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL
In the next couple of months we aim to publish our annual report and accounts. In the meantime, these are some of the many projects your generous donations and grants enabled us to do.
- Science lab – Nyawa Secondary School
- 1×2 classroom block – Muyunda Community School
- 1×2 classroom block and latrines – Kawewa Junior School
- New satellite junior school – Kazungula
- 1×2 classroom block & 2 boarding houses – River View Secondary School
- Boarding house for girls – Mukuni Secondary School
- New health post and staff house – Bunsanga
- Maternity ward and mother’s shelter – Simonga health post
- Beekeeping project for 200 women in Muyunda
- Farm project – Nakawa pre-school
- Funding for 11 boreholes
- Construction of 22 community houses
- Sponsorship of hundreds or orphans at schools and colleges
- Distribution of several thousand mosquito nets
- Insecticidal coating and larviciding for malaria prevention
- Food distribution to some 10,000 households
NEW COMMUNITY SCHOOL – MUYUNDA
We cannot express enough how grateful we are for your tremendous support that has enabled us to achieve so much. Every donor large and small has contributed to the ongoing success of The Butterfly Tree.
BOARDING HOUSE FOR GIRLS – RIVER VIEW SCHOOL
SAFE WATER – SENKOBO COMMUNITY
DISTRIBUTION OF MAIZE – BUNSANGA
Now as we start the new financial year, we face the biggest crisis of our time. Everyone, no matter what race or religion, is impacted by CORVID-19. We appreciate that some of you may not be able to continue your support, and for those who can we want you to know that we will protect our Trustees and volunteers both in the UK and Zambia, as well as our beneficiaries, to the best of our ability.
THE BUTTERFLY TREE VOLUNTEER PEER EDUCATORS
CORVID-19 has reached Zambia, as of today there are 36 known cases. At the weekend we started an awareness campaign to circulate details of the pandemic and advice or how to prevent contracting it. This is mainly to target remote communities who may not have heard of the coronavirus, due to having no mobile phones or internet access.
BEEKEEPING PROJECT FOR 200 WOMEN – MUYUNDA
In the past few days we have also raised money to purchase soap, hand sanitizing gel, disinfectant and masks for rural health centres and their medical staff after being told that they had no form of protection. As of today we have raised enough funds to support 30 clinics.
MATERNITY WARD AND MOTHER’S SHELTER – SIMONGA
Though our work stretches throughout the Kazungula and Kalomo Districts, many of our projects in rural areas are close to the Victoria Falls and Livingstone. The people in Mukuni and neighbouring villages rely heavily on tourism for their income. As is the case throughout the world the tourist industry is at a standstill. In Mukuni everyone who works at lodges, hotels, activity centres and curio markets has been laid off. Just when people had started to recover from the drought, CORVID-19 emerged, further burdening these vulnerable communities.
MUKUNI CURIO MARKET – VICTORIA FALLS
To help those most in need we will continue our appeal for the food crisis and while most other projects are on hold, food distribution will continue, ensuring that our volunteers are protected. A bag of maize costs £10 and will feed a family of four for one month. Donations can be made online using this link or directly to our The Butterfly Tree bank account, please email jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk for details.
Our thoughts are will all of you and pray that you keep safe and well.
Follow us on Facebook
