Day 123 - One child at a time and 'I' has become 'we'.

Friday 3rd August

 A little bit soggy on Arran today but hopeful for the weekend,  We are catching up with ourselves today and doing what Friday is probably designed for.  The boys and I spent school 'getting behind the headlines' by focusing on the awful death rate of children in Zambia from Malaria.  We use the fact that 'every 40 seconds a child dies from Malaria' as it is so shocking and we hope will stop people in their tracks.  Today was about getting behind that and finding out about the killer disease. 

From all the information gathered one piece has stuck with us - there are no new cases of Malaria reported from communities that all have mosquito nets.  I am not sure there is much more to add to that.  George worked out their maths for them and calculated that, on average, every net protects 2.4 people.  So when we are paying our £5.00 for one net we are saving the lives of those people.  In 2006 4.7 million cases of Malaria were reported in Zambia.  The population is only 13.5 million.  Young children and pregnant women are most at risk as are those with challenged immune system.  As HIV and AIDSs is also such a big problem for the people of Zambia this obviously has a knock on affect to the mortality rates from Malaria.  Life expectancy in just 38 years old. 

What I find difficult to comprehend is that people live with these challenges live on the same planet as me.  I have just been out for lunch with a very dear friend and the bill was almost £25.00.  I am mindful that that sum would buy 5 nets but I am also mindful of the fact that two thirds of people in Zambia live on less than 50p a day and have days when they just can't eat because there is no food.  I have never been to Africa so I have never seen these lives lived.  I always need to see things for myself but that is where the Butterfly Tree charity comes in.  They witness these lives and they tell the world about it.  All we have to do is have a few less coffees a week and we have saved more than 2 lives.  I don't pretend to understand the politics of the developing world and, if I am honest, I have avoided finding out.  I am frightened of what I will find out and the part developed countries have played in this global crisis.  The simple thing for me is that if a child dies from Malaria every 40 seconds it is a problem for all of us; not just the people of Zambia. 

Perhaps the time is right for me to delve further into the politics and economics of developing nations and Zambia is the right place for me to start.  As a family we know about the Millennium Goals by the United Nations but here is another example where we perhaps have to get behind the headline statement.  I want to understand why people are still dying of starvation or diseases that could be treated.  I know that in the UK we put a lot into charity causes - more than many nations.  I think that there is a chance that we aren't convinced that our money is reaching the people it needs to.  That brings us back round to the Butterfly Tree.  If you follow them on  facebook you know exactly where the money is going and can see the progress being made.  I think that is important.  If you have time take a look at their home page on their website where they list just some of their achievements. 

So, our Butterfly Tree journal has moved on today as has our understanding but we still have so much more to learn.  We still have so much more to do. 

My boys are following the example set by 7 year old Angus who has already filled  his vintage cup with coins ready to pass to me.  He is onto his second cup filling.  Angus was with us at our little tea party and he helped with the raffle.  He knows exactly where his pennies are going and why.  I think the whole collecting loose change in a cup has captured the imagination of the children involved in the campaign.  If any of you know any children who would like to help I have plenty of vintage cups that have long go lost their saucers and need a home.  Do let me know if you would like one and I can post it out to you. 

Maybe if we all checked inside our sofa cushions we could even get the collecting underway.  Of course, if you get that fabulous moment when you find a ten pound note I won't mind if it goes in your wallet! 

Beyond the Butterfly Tree work was a lovely lunch at Coast which I am please to say was really busy.  Angie and I put the world to rights and just had some time out.  Lovely!  We did notice that when talking about the fundraising events coming up I had changed 'I' to 'we'.  Poor Angie.

This weekend is all about plants so I will be beautifully chilled.  I do hope you all have some lovely plans for the bank holiday.  I see that my southern friends are still hogging most of the sunshine though.  Little Angus is coming to find out all about growing and help in my tunnel.  I could make my life's work teaching young children about growing their own food.  My one child at a time strategy could take a while though.

Until tomorrow. xx