Zambia is one of the top 20 countries where malaria is most prevalent: between 4-5 million cases are recorded each year. Insecticide-treated nets continue to provide a considerable level of protection. The directive from the Ministry of Health states that children under five and pregnant women are the priority groups. Consequently, school children are being left out and can contract the disease resulting in serious long-term health issues and absenteeism. 

The Butterfly Tree is a non-political UK charity and Non-Government Organisation in Zambia, founded in 2006 to support orphans and rural communities decimated by the HIV pandemic.  The charity provides funds to construct boreholes, health and education facilities, food security, malaria and HIV prevention, community housing, sustainable income-generating enterprises for women, sports projects, and an orphan support programme.

Working with the Ministry of Health, The Butterfly Tree will distribute mosquito nets with insecticidal coating to school children in rural areas of the Mulobezi District, in the South- East part of the Western Province of Zambia where malaria is prevalent. Due to the remoteness, schools are scattered. Consequently, children camp in school shelters where they have no protection from malaria.

Mulobezi’s Health Promotion Officer for Malaria will assist this project in targeting support to school-age children not currently covered by the Government roll out of nets to its priority groups. The Butterfly Tree nets provided will prevent these children from contracting malaria and avoid associated long-term health issues. It will also help to reduce absenteeism from school, propoting education and aspirations.