The Butterfly Tree is making sound progress in improving the education system for children with special needs in Zambia. After the success of the project in Kazungula in 2025, the recent one for Kalomo District will shortly have a 1×2 classroom block added to Mukwela Primary school specifically for pupils with special needs. This project has been funded by Give a Hand, Canada and will be completed by May.
To date teachers from 350 schools have received training on how to teach children and young people with physical and mental health challenges in an inclusive education system. Following on from the training sessions teachers are eager to learn sign language which will transform the lives of children with hearing impairment. Please copy this video link which shows a pupil learning sign language: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StwMflzAF4A
Our biggest health post to date is about to open and will provide facilities for over 13,000 people in Katanda and surrounding villages. This project has been welcomed by the Ministry of Health’s Doctor in Charge of Kalomo District ‘Who knew that this abandoned corner of Kalomo will one day have a clinic? This will indeed help to reduce the long distances our patients move to access health services.’ Homebirths were common putting both the mother and infant at risk. The new health post will cater for general practice, testing and treatment for malaria, HIV and TB, family planning, maternity, antenatal and postnatal, and infant vaccinations.
We engaged three teams to construct the buildings, which include a main clinic, mother’s shelter for pregnant women to stay close to the clinic prior to the onset of labour. There are two staff houses, four double VIP latrines, a bio-digester for waste and a complete solar-powered water system. This facility will have a significant impact on the communities. It will help to improve health, especially in children. Supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3, Health and Well-being.
Sadly, there has been an increase in malaria this year due to heavy rains and lack of vector control. To support the fight against malaria, were included in this grant aid, which has helped to protect 1,000 school children. In addition, The Butterfly Tree donated a further 350 mosquito nets to protect children and teachers at Katanda and Chipondo Primary schools.
The construction of a mother’s shelter at Nguba health post is now under construction with a further one to be added to Boombwe Health post, thanks to a successful fundraiser by Blooms the Chemist, Australia. Regular support from the company pays for medical equipment for three rural clinics.
Next month we aim to start drilling more boreholes with funding in place for six schools and communities to have access to clean water.
Kamwi primary school has been busy preparing a school garden to create a sustainable feeding programme for pupils thanks to Alissa, a former volunteer at Kamwi school, who is raising funds through her and her husband’s Mad or Nomad website. The school shop has been restored to generate further income for the school and feeding programme.
Seven women’s project are to be expanded so that they can provide more food security and generate further funding to support their families and communities. A new group will also be selected next month. Further training is to be offered from the University of Zambia’s Agricultural Department, funded by the International Development Research Centre of Canada.
At least 25 new community houses are to be constructed for orphans, widows and the elderly from Motive Real Estate, Texas. For every house this company sells, the owner donates money for a community house. Some of the orphans are living in shocking conditions like the dilapidated mud hut seen below. The Butterfly Tree constructs bigger and stronger traditional dwellings, using both local materials and builders.
The three secondary schools which we have developed at Riverview, Musokotwane and Nguba are to receive a donation of school furniture from Waste to Wonder, a company that turn office clearances into opportunities for change. The Murphy Family Foundation has kindly donated most of the shipping costs with a contribution from Waste to Wonder.
2026 has got off to a great start thanks to your tremendous support. I am looking forward to going to Zambia and aim to send more positive news on my return.
Jane Kaye-Bailey
Founder
