# 78 March 8, 2026 Leave Mpulungu

We checked out of our hotel and went straight to mass 7:00 mass which was in English and we could easily understand it. Masses may be all on the same template, but there are always differences. Here it was the offertory, instead of the usual water and wine, parishioners brought up food items for the priest (since he has no salary), there was mealie meal, water, oil, drinks, and two protesting live chickens. 

We went to the convent of the Mpulungu Sisters of the Child Jesus and after a fine breakfast, bade our gracious hostesses good-bye and we were on our way back to Mporokoso, an approximately 7-hour journey. Before we left, we stopped at the fish market and picked up a lot of fish. Fresh fish is a rarity in landlocked Zambia and our visit to Lake Tanganyika was an opportunity to buy fresh fish for family and friends and other convents. The bus was like a usual Zambian bus, loaded down with many people, packaged to be delivered, groceries, fish and fruit. 

The trip home was punctuated with many interesting events. We stopped at roadside markets several times to buy fruit and vegetables. The markets are very crowded with all walks of life and we stood out as foreigners, but with the sisters we felt as safe as if we had body guards. At one stop John and Sr Matilda got off the bus to buy mangoes. They came back with a huge sack of mangoes; they could barely carry. Sr Matilda’s bargaining skills are legendary.

We saw a large mass of people on the road ahead of us and taking up the whole road many people deep. It was a large Women’s Day parade with a marching band and banners. We stopped and they went past us, parting like a school of fish. We had windows open and we shook many hands as we passed. 

Half way we stopped in Kasama, had a convent bathroom break and went to the Hungry Lion where John and John bought the whole bus load of ladies and some men fried chicken and a chocolate bar for Women’s Day. A very tasty and thoughtful gesture. 

Zambians drive on the left side just as in England. The traffic between Mpulungu and Kasama is about 85% large oil/gas trucks with few passenger vehicles. The road is very rutted and when it looks like they are coming head-on for us on our side of the road, they are just shifting side to side to avoid the huge holes in the road. Our drivers Josephat and Louis are pros, dodging the multitude of huge ruts, people, goats, chickens, dogs and oil tankers. There are no coffee shops and they drive with just a break now and then. We drove from Kasama to Mporokoso in mostly darkness and rain. The truck traffic was much less and small vehicle traffic scarce. Only a few people were roadside in the pouring rain and darkness, with those dressed in dark colours very hard to spot. 

We slept very well that night!

John Gillies and Goodson at the Hungry Lion,
with treats for the ladies. Thanks John and John

Hotel in Mplungu

Offertory chicken

ICC group with our friends in Mpulingu, Sr Matilda,
Betty J, Sr Auxillia, Charlotte, Sr Deodada,
John G,  Josephat, Winnie, Richard, Colleen.
Front John MI, Sr Mable, Sr Irene, Sr Petronella, Goodson.

John finding out about how the bamboo fish baskets are made.

Sunday foot  traffic. Visiting and church.

Charlotte getting dried beans in the market

Many beans colours

Enterprising boys filling in holes and asking for money.

Looks like head-on but just dodging pot holes,
drive on the best side.

Many holes in the road.

Parage for women's day.

Hungry Lion lunch. Thanks guys.

Roadside mangos.

# 77 March 7, 2026. Mpulungu

This morning we were ready to go at 5:10 AM for the trip to Mpulungu, on the banks of Lake Tanganyika. Josephat drove the bus and Richard the Chalice representative came along. Sr Aulxillia, Sr Deodata, Sr Matilda came with us and we picked up Sr Margaret Mary in Kasama. 

The road had places where we are sure the holes were 2 feet deep. Josephat artfully dodged most of the potholes and maneuvered around people and animals on the road. The traffic was light, mostly big trucks moving materials between the towns and cities. We had a bathroom break at the convent in Kasama and then continued on to Mpulungu. Just before arriving there, we stopped for sugar cane. The canes are very big and heavy.

We were welcomed very warmly at the Stella Maris Convent of the Sisters of the Child Jesus in Mpulungu. We took a trip around town and down to the fish market at the beach. Someone negotiated for short rides in the fishing boats. And almost all of us took a ride in Lake Tanganyika where some of us nearly went in got a swim. Our boats were low in the water but no rescues were needed. 

After a fine supper, the sisters came out singing their welcome with a large three layer cake. Yum!

On the bus going to Mpulungu, St Matilda in front, with
Sr Hilary next seat, Charlotte behind, Winnie's head,
Sr Deodata and Sr Auxillia and John MacInnis.and Richard.

These young fellows were filling in the pot holes for donations.

Traffic was mainly big trucks

Roadside shops

Wash day and a good swim combined.

Stopping to buy sugar cane.

Our location a the bottom of Lake Tanganyika 

John MI, Betty Jane, Charlotte, Winnie,
 Colleen, Sr Matilda, John Gillies.

Checking out the fish sellers on Lake Tanganyika 

Almost tipped

Safe back at shore

Spent some time in this shop

Sunset on lake Tanganyika 

The best cake made by St Petronella. 

#76 March 6, 2026 Last day of classes.

Today was our last day of classes for Monday is a holiday, Womens’ Day. It is sad to say goodbye to these bright students who have so much to contribute to their country. We hope they can reach their potential and be part of the strengthening of their country’s economy.  They are remarkable individuals. Most have already endured much hardship and the double burdens of visual impairment and albinism are a heavy load to carry. We also thank the teachers who are so enthusiastic and doing such a wonderful job. The children are a testament to their love and caring ways. 

We are gaining a true understanding of the reality of visual impairment and the constant fear which follows persons with albinism.

Tomorrow we are off on an overnight trip to Mpulungu, on Lake Tanginika. 

Winnie teaching in cooking class.

Colleen's Student mentors. Colleen, Alex, Saboma, Tracy,
behind Tracy is Paul, then Josephine, behind Josephine is Prince 1,
Joyce, behind Joyce is Victor, Prince 2, behind Prince is Leonard.
Mr Miller (head of math department) in a white coat.

Melanga Benson came selling this tool.
Two of us bought one.

Sr DeoData making crackers for our trip tomorrow. 

Bananas on site at the school.

Chatting with Francis, Fancy and John MacInnis.

# 75 March 5, 2026 New walk way

We are certainly in the rainy season. It rains every day and mostly every night making a raincoat or umbrella a must.  Although the soil is porous and sandy, there are still some muddy areas. 

We are all still working in our respective areas and seeing a lot of progress. We are getting to know the students and realizing their great potential. They are hard-working, responsible people who appreciate the opportunities given them by education. 

This is the kind of school where totally blind teachers are able to teach classes without having to worry about classroom behaviour.  Five teachers here at St Odilia are totally blind and four teachers have albinism.

Tomorrow the 200 meat bird chicks are expected. They will be housed in the refurbished chicken house. 

Today there was a tragedy at our hotel. A man was working on a truck and asked someone to start it up. It wasn’t in neutral and it ran over the mechanic and hit the hotel office, taking out some supports. Sadly, he didn’t survive, he was a man leaving a young family behind.

Slasher at work, similar to a very small scythe.  

Teacher Miller with students

Spoons is one of the most popular games

Betty Jane and Sr DeoData christening the new walkway.

Apple gourd, on the menu today.

Alan learning notes on the guitar.

#74 March 4th , 2026 Kasama

This morning we left Mporokoso by bus at 6:30 AM for a trip to Kasama which is approximately 2.5 hours. Most parts of the road is fairly good but some sections have large potholes. As we approached one, we met a motorcycle who hit the pothole and lost control of his bike and skidded into the ditch. Lucky for him it was soft and muddy and he wore a thick coat and a helmet. We stopped to assist; he was a bit shook up with a few scratches on his hand. Parts of motorcycle were broken and he couldn’t start it. When we left, he was going to get help pushing it up the hill to the next village, from a bunch of children walking to school. The main reason for the trip was to visit the Arch Bishop of Kasama Ignatius Chama. We were welcomed warmly and spent time chatting with him. He is very grateful for the Canadian assistance at the Kawambwa Project schools and interested in the progress made by them, We stopped in at the Mother House of the Sisters of the Child Jesus for lunch and were happy to see our friends again. We stopped at Shop Rite and the Chinese Store to buy some more playing cards, Scrabble, Chess Sets and volley balls.

The return trip was uneventful and we arrived back at the Sisters to find the workers had built the new cement walkway to the convent, which we had asked for. Now the sisters and guests won’t have to worry about slipping in the mud. The glazier finished the windows, the carpenters and painters are busy painting and repairing. Lots of improvements. 

John MacInnis with Glazier and John Gillies

The new walkway to sisters' door.

Painting the kitchen

Fixing windows glass in newly painted kitchen.

WE stopped for squash/pumpkin. Sr Matilda, Josephat, seller.

Cathedral in Kasama.

Betty Jane, Charlotte, John G, Archbishop Ignatius Chama,
 John MI, Winnie, Sr Barbara, Colleen

The roads are washed-out in some places
and also have huge potholes

Josephat, Bike rider, John  and John