#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.   Four teachers here at St Odilia are totally blind.

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

# 73 February 3, 2026

Today was work as usual. Winnie’s class is always very popular. Her class made egg salad sandwiches, poached eggs on toast and omelettes. Betty Jane worked with her music students, the older students are becoming mentors and teaching guitar and flute to the other students. Colleen is in the same situation. Her student mentors have totally taken over and are now teaching the grade 8s, all part of the plan. The classrooms and school grounds are beginning to look brighter and refreshed. The blackboard paint is giving the tired blackboards a wonderful new finish. The center square curb, is being refinished to accommodate the visually impaired. 

Chinese Checkers

Charlotte a work

Winnie in the kitchen

Snakes and ladders

Refurbishing the curb.

Charlotte with her 43 Grade 6s.

#72 March 2, 2026 Immigration

 For a change it wasn't raining this morning. After breakfast we all went to our respective tasks. Betty Jane worked with her music crew. One student was able to master playing, "Lord of the Dance" on the flute. Charlotte worked with her 43, Grade 6 students as they did a procedural piece of writing. Winnie and her class made raisin spice cookies and since her measuring cup was missing, they estimated the amounts. Despite this the cookies turned out very tasty. John and John met with the trades people and monitored their progress and assessed their quotes. The painting, other improvement and maintenance are progressing well. Colleen and Charlotte worked with Mr Millar and the students, training them to be mentors. They closed up the session with an enthusiastic game of Steal the Bottle, outside on the playground. It is a game for all ages and it gave the students a good workout. 

Mid-morning we were requested to bring our passports to Sr Auxilia’s office where immigration officers took a copy of them.  A bit later we received a summons to report the Immigration Office about 2 km away. It was bit unsettling, but we were well received with courtesy and gratitude for the work Canada is doing for the children at the two schools.

Mason at work.

E

Electricians at work in henhouse. 

Working on the roof

Making shelves in the classroom.

Installing Facia

Painting the classrooms

Fixing the broken windows.

Big boys playing 'Steal the Bottle'.

The girls playing 'Steal the Bottle'.

Visit to immigration office.
Kennedy Mashowo, Charlotte, Betty Jane, Brian Muyuni,
 John Gillies, Joseph Nawa, ___,Winnie, Sr Deodata,
 Front: Goodson, John MacInnis, Colleen

School Band practice. Very impressive.

All you need is a stick and bottle caps. 

Avocados in the back yard.