I have many stories to tell from my recent trip to Zambia, no doubt the one which many of our supporters have been waiting to hear is the plight of the twin baby boys, whose mother died in childbirth with their triplet sister. For the past five months The Butterfly Tree has provided support for Elvis and Vincent after hearing about their premature birth and the loss of their mother. Each weighing barely three pounds (1.3 kgs) the twins were discharged from Livingstone in late November to be cared for by their grandmother in the remote village of Kamwi.
With no available money the grandmother was struggling to cope, relying solely on gifts from well wishes. After hearing that the twins would not survive without powdered milk The Butterfly Tree stepped in. Three and a half tins of formula are consumed a week by these hungry boys. At seven pounds ($11) per tin this was an impossibility for most Zambians with an income let alone someone from one of the poorest villages on the planet.
Vincent with his grandmother
Elvis with his aunt
I was moved to tears when I returned to Kamwi and saw two plump, healthy and happy babies. The grandmother, with the help of her sister, has taken great care of them and the staff at Mukuni clinic informed me that apart from a common cold they had rarely been sick. They have had two tests for HIV, both were clear and need only one more which we pray will be negative. Besides milk we have provided clothing, equipment and healthcare. Funding these helpless infants shows that it is vital to continue our support to improve the lives of these vulnerable people.
