The only way to overcome HIV and AIDS in Zambia, causing thousands upon thousands of children to be orphaned, is through education. I have visited the Mukuni Village five times in the past eighteen months and each time I find it more difficult to comprehend the scale of decimation caused as a result of this harrowing disease.
On every new visit I learn of more children becoming orphans and during my last trip 25 pupils, aged between 13 and 15 were diagnosed as HIV positive, it was heartbreaking. Although The Butterfly Tree is currently sponsoring 66 children in education, there are nearly 400 pupils at Mukuni Basic School who still need sponsors. We are also supporting Ngandu School and Kamwi Basic Schools and the list is growing.
Photo: Some of the orphans being sponsored at Mukuni
I have met most of the children we are sponsoring and without exception they are all benefiting enormously from their education. Having lost one or both parents they now have something to focus on. Sadly too many children have to drop out of education due to lack of funds, their guardians pushed below the poverty line having extended their family, which is common practice in African communities. On a positive note none of these children have had to go into orphanages as a result of the generosity of family members, friends and teachers.
We take so much for granted in the western world, having free education for our children is a great bonus, but when you live in a country where over 60% of the population live on less than fifty pence a day, it’s not surprising that finding the funds to educate a child is a real burden.
The Butterfly Tree provides an orphan sponsorship program; as little as £85 will educate a child for one year. All the money goes directly to the child, through the school and will cover school and exam fees, uniform, shoes, books, bag and a blanket for the cold winter nights. No administration expenses are deducted.
We have a committee of teachers, PTA members and parents who select the most ‘critical’ cases and we have appointed female volunteers who oversee the welfare of these orphans in each section of the villages.
Volunteers oversee the welfare of our orphans at Mukuni
To be able to give just one of these children an education is an extremely rewarding experience and for the orphan an opportunity to gain the knowledge needed to overcome the hardships caused through HIV and AIDS in Zambia.
Meet some of the orphans: orphan sponsorship.