The core of The Butterfly Tree’s work in Zambia is and always has been supporting orphans and vulnerable children in rural areas of Zambia. I am totally overwhelmed by the support we have and are still receiving from all around the globe, after almost twenty years!
Education is a way of empowering young people to better their lives, to give them employment opportunities and to help their communities. Rising above the poverty cycle can improve their quality of life is so many ways. Orphans that were sponsored at an early age are now teachers, nurses, accountants and skilled workers, being paid to build our facilities, while some have been enrolled into the army and police force.
This year we are aiming to make further progress on the education front by building more schools and expanding those that have increased enrolment after the introduction of the new education curriculum. Two new schools are at Namachele and Simukumwa in Kalomo District. In June Namachele will open its new 1×3 classroom block and teacher’s house to replace the mud and pole constructions, funded by a private donor. The same donor is also funding a dormitory for boarders at to Nguba Secondary school.
The newly constructed 1×2 classroom block at Simukumbwa is now in use. This was donated by Victor Ubogu, former England rugby player. Victor and his wife flew out to Zambia last week to visit the school, which was a 7 hour drive from Livingstone. Accompanied by two of our local volunteers, Victor interacted with the community and vowed to do more. He has organised a pre-Lion’s Tour Lunch on the 11th June, in aid of The Butterfly Tree and also a silent auction.
There are a few tickets remaining for the lunch, which can be ordered by email or phone: sales@vultd.co.uk or call 01225 788880 to place an order. The silent auction is now open and has some amazing lots including exotic destinations, sporting events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, adventures, concerts, gourmet dining, paintings and much more. Please use this link if you would like to see the full list and to make a bid: https://superstars-auctions.com/lionslunch2025
Two new boreholes were drilled this month for Simukumbwa and Njezi schools in Kalomo District to provide clean water for drinking and for growing vegetables for school feeding programmes.
Once again we are grateful to The Murphy Family Foundation for providing further support towards our education projects. The ever growing Riverview school is to receive an additional 1×3 classroom block and Musokotwane Secondary school is to have another dormitory and toilets for the boarders. Some pupils live long distances from the school and The Butterfly Tree provides them with bags of ground maize and soya chunks to supplement their meals.
This month we are completing the special education programme for the entire Kazungula District. Teachers from 161 schools received training in special needs and inclusive education. The guidance manual is ready for printing and materials such as braille, stylus, talking calculators and sign language charts are being purchased today. Thanks to Give a Hand, our Canadian partner, this project can be expanded to other districts, improving education for these special children.
As always I am extremely grateful for all the support we continue to receive. Whether it be small or large your donations have helped thousands of orphans and vulnerable children to be empowered through education!
Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder
