OUR INTERVENTIONS
The main purpose of our interventions aim at moving such families out of poverty through; Conducting workshops/training in child protection, entrepreneurship, and human rights, sexual reproductive health and rights, public education initiatives, peer-to-peer gatherings, and mentoring, as well as fostering community-based discussions with men, senior opinion leaders, and women on topics pertaining to women and girl child inheritance rights.
Livelihood Interventions
The organization works to support local poultry farming as a business and for household consumption while also empowering teen mothers. The group has contacted over 60 adolescent mothers in Mohale’s Hoek and Mafeteng District with more than 250 local chickens that were given to them as soft loans, and through replication, they have reached many other mothers. At the egg-laying stage, a mother is given five to ten chickens so she may immediately reap the benefits and also set aside additional feed and some revenue for saving for her family’s future needs.
In July 2022 to date, the Butterfly Sanctuary trained and targeted 25 teenage mothers with each being provided seven (07) cocks and chicken already laying eggs as pilot project to initiate local chicken farming as a business. With others, the beneficiaries were purely vulnerable teenage mothers living on their own without partner support.
Child Protection and Rights Based Interventions
The organisation concentrates on contributing to the battle against gender-based abuse and violations of women’s and youth’s rights. We have arranged special dialogues with men, cultural leaders and chiefs to discuss issues centered around women and girl child inheritance rights of property and land. This is done to enhance inclusiveness and participation in the decision-making process both at home and in society.
In partnership with Development Solutions PTY and Global Fund for children through start up fund, the organisation was able to organise discussions between men and women on inheritance rights, and a televised debate and discussion between the cultural institution and the advocates of the common law on matters regarding challenges facing women and girls’ inheritance rights to property and land.
This debate was held on 28th October 2022. It had over 120 participants who comprised, judges, lawyers, media, non-governmental organisations, the local institutions’ authorities, and members of the communities that were part of the initial dialogue. The debate was organized in partnership with child advocacy an organization that advocates for the rights of children in Lesotho.
Climate Stewardship and Justice (SDG 13 – Climate Action)
Butterfly Sanctuary, realizes that climate change greatly affects the girls and women and therefore need they need to become advocates and allies in this fight.
The organization focuses on enlightening girls, youths and women about the social justice and equips them with knowledge and skills on how to become advocates and also play critical role in conserving the environment. The goal of the organization on the climate stewardship and justice is: Enhancing environmental stewardship and Justice.
Butterfly Sanctuary has two pillars in this area that include;
a) Promotion of environmental stewardship, b) Environmental Justice
A) Promotion of environmental stewardship
To lessen the harmful effects of climate change, the organization collaborates with youth and communities to promote sustainable environmental conservation practices.
The organization does the following;
i) Youth Community Environmental Education Programs
– Hold local environmental sensitization programs in the community for youth about the importance of environmental stewardship and justice.
– The organization also partners with Ministry of Forestry and agriculture in creating awareness on the existing government programs and how youths can be involved in tackling real-world environmental issues.
ii) Promotion of tree planting and protection of forests and vegetation from destruction
Youths and children in and out of school are encouraged to plant trees in their homes and school, but also to protect them from reckless cutting down of trees. This also includes proper waste disposal practices.
B) Environmental justice
This is done through;
i) Youth Environmental Leadership Training:
ii) Develop leadership training programs specifically focused on environmental issues.
iii) Equip young leaders with the skills needed to advocate for environmental justice and mobilize their communities.
Heritage Preservation And Cutural Sustainability
Heritage Preservation and Cultural Sustainability Program is a strategic initiative of Butterfly Sanctuary aimed at safeguarding, revitalizing, and promoting cultural heritage. The program focuses on preserving historical landmarks, intangible cultural traditions, and indigenous knowledge to ensure their continuity for future generations. With a broader focus on ensuring communities around the heritage areas can thrive and have better livelihoods from the heritage sites or protection.
Key Pillars:
Conservation and Restoration:
– Identification and protection of historical landmarks and sites.
– Restoration and maintenance of heritage buildings, monuments, and artifacts.
– Implementation of sustainable conservation practices aligned with international standards.
Community Engagement and Capacity Building:
– Active involvement of local communities in heritage conservation efforts.
– Training programs and workshops for artisans, historians, and preservation experts
– Public awareness campaigns to promote heritage appreciation
Intangible Cultural Heritage Promotion:
– Documentation and preservation of traditional music, dance, folklore, and languages.
– Support for indigenous and local craftsmanship.
– Collaboration with cultural institutions to integrate intangible heritage into education systems.
Technology and Innovation in Heritage Preservation:
– Use of digital tools, 3D mapping, and virtual reality to document and showcase heritage sites.
– Development of interactive heritage platforms and mobile applications.
– Archival digitization of manuscripts, records, and oral histories.
Sustainable Tourism and Economic Development:
– Promotion of heritage-based tourism while ensuring site conservation
– Reducing unemployment and creating opportunities that can lead to balanced economic benefits with heritage protection.
– Support for local enterprises involved in heritage crafts and cultural industries.
Migration, Displacement, and Refugee Protection Program
The Migration, Displacement, and Refugee Protection Program is a strategic initiative within the Butterfly Sanctuary organisation that aims at addressing challenges related to internal migration, displacement, and refugee protection. The program focuses on ensuring the safety, dignity, and rights of displaced populations while promoting sustainable integration and resilience-building measures.
Key Pillars:
Internal Migration and Displacement Management:
– Identification and monitoring of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants.
– Development of sustainable housing and livelihood solutions for displaced communities
– Strengthening early warning systems and disaster response mechanisms.
Refugee Protection and Assistance:
– Legal aid and advocacy for refugee rights and asylum-seekers.
– Provision of essential services such as shelter, healthcare, and education.
– Collaboration with international bodies to uphold refugee conventions and protocols.
Community Integration and Social Cohesion:
– Programs to facilitate the socio-economic integration of migrants and refugees.
– Cultural exchange initiatives to promote inclusivity and reduce discrimination.
– Skills development and employment support for displaced populations.
Sustainable Livelihoods and Economic Opportunities:
– Vocational training and entrepreneurship programs for migrants and refugees.
– Support for businesses and cooperatives led by displaced populations.
– Encouraging public-private partnerships for job creation in host communities.
Research and Documentation
– Conducting comprehensive research on migration and development patterns, and policy impacts.
– Developing data-driven reports and case studies to inform policy and program development.
– Establishing a centralized database for tracking displaced populations and resource allocation.
– Documenting personal narratives and testimonies of migrants and refugees to amplify their voices.
Advocacy and Policy Development
– Engaging with governments and international organizations to strengthen migration policies.
– Promoting human rights-based approaches to Development migration and refugee protection.
– Facilitating dialogues between stakeholders to address systemic challenges in migration governance.
– Developing legal frameworks that support safe, orderly, and dignified migration.
Research and Documentation
– Conducting comprehensive on development studies on migration trends and policy impacts.
– Collecting and analyzing data to improve migration strategies and decision-making.
– Establishing digital archives for displaced communities and their histories.
– Collaborating with academic institutions and think tanks for evidence-based policy recommendations.