"When the natural environment is exposed to hazard, women have much to lose, since not only their livelihood, but also their responsibility for the survival and health of their children, are linked to the natural surroundings. African women shoulder an enormous portion of the responsibility for subsistence agriculture and the provisioning of households in fuel and water. Increased water stress leads to increased exposure to disease and other health risks. Africa is likely to be the continent most vulnerable to climate change." ~African Development Bank, 2011 GLOSSARY *Ama means "Mother" in Egypt

1. Ama,
The Butterfly Keeper
Sylvia Agamah-Ochidi

2. This book is dedicated to the YALI Network Team and WEP Nigeria
for creating awareness of the devastating effect of toxic wastes
and climate change on the African environment
#YALIGoesGreen
Ohana
Communications. adding value.
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3. POEM
“African wings fading
in the light;
Butterfly, butterfly
How I long to join
your flight;
That I might feel
your plight and dare to fight.”
~ Sylvia O.

4. In a forest village, there once lived a young woman
who was called Ama. A village surrounded by rocks,
mountains and wildlife. The cool stream flows from
the mountains through the rocky trails to the village.

5. Ama loves butterflies. Every morning she would
go to the butterfly house to release her butterflies into
the sunlight. An amazing sight of colours in the wind.
She did this everyday before she starts her chores.

6. One evening, Ama went to fetch firewood. But she
was shocked to see some dead animals lying around.
She looked closely, no wounds from predator attack.
Frightened Ama screamed and fled from the sight.

7. “The village is in danger,” she whispered to herself
as she went to her butterfly house to shut the door.
Very few butterflies returned home. Why? Ama ran to
the chief’s adviser to report what she saw in the forest.

8. As she hurried back home in the midst of the sound
of numerous crickets, she heard her name. She looked
around but no one. She heard again “Ama” from above
her. A talking owl! Her legs felt too heavy to run away.

9. “Ama, mother of butterflies,” the owl continued. “The
black poison of distant lands pollutes everywhere. Dark
poison from ‘roaring cruel machines’ used by strangers in
their factories. The sun weeps and the moon mourns.
More dark poison will flow to kill all. Tell the villagers!”

10. Human Vulnerability to Environmental Risk: Women’s Burden
When the natural environment is exposed to hazard, women
have much to lose, since not only their livlihood, but also
their responsibility for the survival and health of their child-
ren, are linked to the natural surroundings. African women
shoulder an enormous portion of the responsibility for sub-
sistence agriculture and the provisioning of households in
fuel and water. Increased water stress leads to increased
exposure to disease and other health risks. Africa is likely
to be the continent most vulnerable to climate change.
~African Development Bank, 2011

11. “The impact of climate change on
women is huge. The men are forced
to migrate and they leave the women
who are now the caregivers because
they cannot leave the children.”
Pricilla Achakpa
ED, Women Environmental
Programme (WEP)
Nigeria
What action will YOU take?