The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate, environmental degradation, prosperity, and peace and justice. The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.

The Butterfly Tree’s work in Zambia is helping in a small, but significant way to meet 8 of these goals.

Goal 1: No Poverty

Goal 2: Zero Hunger

Goal 3: Good health and well-being

Goal 4: Quality Education

Goal 5: Gender Equality

Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities

International aid can be damaging for communities if they are not given the chance to become sustainable. However, before this can be done the essentials need to be provided: WATER, FOOD, HEALTH and EDUCATION. The main reason why The Butterfly Tree concentrates on one area at a time is to make sure all these essentials are in place before moving on. Once adequate facilities are available income generating-activities can be introduced. There is very little opportunity for employment when the poverty levels are so extreme, the main source of income in rural areas is subsistence farming, curio making and local retailers.

Farming and agriculture are very much in demand, hence we have initiated a number of sustainable enterprises for women and youths, including these with physical and mental health challenges. These include chicken and goat rearing, agricultural projects, vegetable growing and beekeeping.

In 2024 The Butterfly Tree successfully drilled 30 boreholes and installed 8 solar-powered water reticulations systems during the worst drought in Zambia’s history. These have not only provided safe drinking water but a source of water to irrigate vegetable gardens for food production.

In 2023 Boombe Lyangoma school and five communities received boreholes. These were: Siamabele, Musokotwane, Mukuni Senkobo. Sadly, the borehole we drilled for Kauwe Rural Health Centre was dry.

In 2021 Nzizo school and Nampaka community received boreholes and in 2022 Simukombo, James Siatchema and Mabwe schools as well as a community in Mukuni are benefitting from the addition of boreholes. These facilities help schools to produce sufficient food for their feeding programmes with surplus produce being sold to the communities. Profits will then be put back into the school to provide textbooks and orphan support.

In 2020 we donated six water reticulation systems to schools in order for them to access water for irrigation during the dry season: River View, Katapazi, Musokotwane, Singwamba, Matengu and Chaba. Five schools were given boreholes.

Our focus is to continue creating sustainable projects for schools and communities.