It's not often that bricks and mortar pull at your heart strings but last year I met an amazing lady, Jane Kaye-Bailey, who is working with people to develop a community in Mukuni Village, Zambia.

One of the projects she is helping Mukuni Village community with is the construction of buildings for education as well as homes for the teachers to live in. The work she is doing is truly inspiring and it gives you a real sense of perspective when you see that people are still living in such awful conditions in the 21st century.

Jane has set up a charity, The Butterfly Tree, and they are making a difference to the lives of people living in the Mukuni Village in Zambia, one of the poorest countries in Southern Africa.

The image many people have of an African village is of a few huts, but Mukuni Village, near Victoria Falls, is really a small town of 8,000 people with more than 36,000 living in the surrounding chiefdom. In the town, 16 per cent of people are HIV positive and malaria is prevalent. Some 450 of the school's 1,000 pupils are HIV orphans, and many have lost several foster parents as well as their own families.

Jane has many stories to tell of hardship and poverty, but her outlook is positive. She speaks fondly of the people she meets, the culture, the smiles that people share and the community's dedication to developing and improving their situation.

The good news is that we can make a difference. Jane is working with local people in Mukuni village to help them develop their community, housing, and education. She is also helping them to deal with the consequences that HIV and AIDS have had over a long period of time.

A small amount of money goes a long way. The following building was left to ruin due to lack of funds but with £2k The Butterfly Tree ensured that this teacher's house could be completed. Now two teachers and their respective families are happily housed.

Education is critical to moving these communities forward and for many children this is the lifeline they need. In helping to fund a three-bay classroom the school is now the first rural 'high school' in the area. The children can now complete grade 12 instead of having to leave after grade 10 (many could not afford to board in the town's high school). This means they can benefit from an education up until the age of 18, giving them more opportunities in the future.

£21,000 has been spent to ensure that these children can now continue their education. The school now has 15 new teachers but this brings with it another challenge - where can they live?

When teachers qualify they have no choice as to where they are placed. They have to relocate with their families and often have to move into poorer conditions. No accommodation is provided and often they have to share with other families. Store rooms have been converted into rooms for teachers so as you can imagine these are very cramped living conditions. The school tuck shop is now even a home for 3 teachers and their families.

Jane dedicates all of her time to helping the wonderful people of Mukuni Village. Like so many other African communities there is so much more to be done. These people are ready to move forward - they have some dedicated staff who are prepared to work hard to improve their situation.

If like me you are touched by this charity and want to help out, then visit her website www.TheButterFlyTree.org.uk to find out more and help the people of Mukuni Village.