The Butterfly Tree - Health Support in Zambia

By: Saga Charitable Trust
26 Jan 2012 at 12:04

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In Zambia the Saga Charitable Trust is working with The Butterfly Tree to help improve the health and education facilities for rural communities decimated in Zambia.

For the past four years the trust has provided funds to support the malaria programme in the Mukuni Chiefdom. 75% of all deaths caused by malaria are in children under the age of five in sub-Sahara Africa. Mosquito nets, malaria testing kits and educational workshops have been effectively put to use. This has proved to be highly successful in reducing the number of new cases of malaria.

In addition some of the funds have been used to support The Butterfly Tree maternity clinic, with the purchase of equipment. Syphilis testing kits are used for pregnant women to protect the health of their unborn babies.

This year the trust has also donated funds to build a bore hole in Mukuni Village, which has a population of 7000. With the dry season lasting for six months water shortage is a major issue. The bore hole will provide safe, clean drinking water, irrigation for vegetables and help to improve the hygiene.

Another project has been to fund a shelter for pupils who have to walk long distances to school. The older children now have the use of a concrete structure to enable them to stay at the school during the week; this will improve the quality of life and education for these vulnerable children.

Saga’s contribution to both The Butterfly Tree and the Mukuni Chiefdom has been considerable and has helped to save lives as well as improving the health and education standards.

To find out more visit Saga Charitable Trust or The Butterfly Tree

Please see our gallery pictures on the project here.