# 87, March 18th, 2026

 We left Lusaka the 16th and flew to Addis Abba an airport that on our last few transits was nightmare. This time we passed through without a hitch. 2 hours Mansa to Lusaka, 4 hours to Addis from Lusaka, 16 from Addis to Toronto and 2 to Halifax. That is a full 24 hours in the air. By the time we arrived home we were quite tired. 

We have been so fortunate to interact with the people of Zambia. They are such hospitable people a nd just like us, they want the best for their families. We are all one.

Check back here for schedule of presentations where we talk about our African journey.

Relaxing in Addis Abba before our 

16 hour flight to Toronto.

Betty Jane

Good by dear friends in Zambia

Betty Jane, Sr Paxina, Sr Gloria and John MacInnis.

Colleen and Sr Kyristine

Our home in Kasisi

John G, Sr Paxina, Betty Jane, Sr Gloria and Charlotte

# 86, March 15, 2026. Market and snakes

We woke this morning at the Little Servant Sisters of Mary Immaculate Lodge in Kasisi a community near Lusaka. Mass was first, just up the hill and we had a hearty breakfast at the convent dining room and took a ride into Lusaka with Lucky as our driver. We took the truck so John and John rode in the back. Our destination was the East Park Craft market, a place where local artisans sell their wares. We all had a good idea of what we wanted and stocked up on the articles. We purchased a lot of paintings, aprons, woodcarvings and decorative items. John G bought a large ironwood water buffalo and a rhino. We were teasing him he may not be allowed to take them in his carryon as they could be a weapon.

At lunch those of us, tired of chicken, ate at a burger place and those who still liked fried chicken, at the old favourite Hungry Lion. 

The day we left Mporokoso one of the students, about 12, was out hanging a wash on the school grounds before class. He was bitten by a venomous snake and rushed to hospital for anti-venom medication. All is well with him now. In the same thread, a friend who came to visit came to described an incident in their home a week ago. Power was out, and when Maureen got up for a drink of water, she saw something in the corner of the kitchen. A black mamba!!! He husband Vincent quickly dispatched the snake with a slasher. Seems he was easy to catch because of its last big meal… a big rat! See photo. They also told a story about the time a cobra that was spotted in the rafters of the church during mass!!!

Tomorrow we catch a flight to Addis Abba and then on to Toronto and arrive in Halifax on March 17th...if all goes well. 🤞

Black mamba that was in Maureen and Vincent's
home. Note its last meal, the rat.

Picking avocados. 

Bought some paintings from this fellow.

Beatrice, she sold us aprons. 

Sold an other Andrew Daka painting.

Lunch in Lusaka, Colleen, Winnie, Lucky,
John MI, John G, Charlotte.

Menu. 100 kawatcha = $7.17

Hungry Lion fans.

The Johns rode in the back.

Succulent tree.

Mushroom gatherer.

John G, Sr Gloria, Betty Jane, Sr Lillian, Charlotte.

The Kasisi lodge buildings. Awesome place, spotless and great food.

#85, March 14, 2026 Lusaka.

Saturday we were up early and left the St Mary’s convent at 7:00. Our friends Sr Agnes, Sr Marjory, Sr Barbara and Newman accompanied us on the bus with Louis our driver. He managed to dodge all the many groups of goats who ran in front of the bus but, we do think that at least one suicidal chicken met her maker. After many long good byes we boarded Pro Flight and flew over the Congo, stopping in Ndola and then on to Lusaka. We were met at the airport by the smiling Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate who took us the Kasisi Retreat Centre where we will spend two nights before our flight to Addis Abba on Monday the 16^th and then from there to Toronto and Halifax.

Biker on the way to sell wares in the city

Broken down bus with branches on road to warn
 other drivers. Crazy goats waiting to run out in front of us.

Lost count of how many foolish goats risked their 

lives on the road today.

Betty Jane and Sr Marjory

Sr Barbara, Colleen, Sr Marjory, Sr Agnes, John Gillies,
 John MacInnis, Charlotte, Betty Jane, Winnie.

Arrival in Lusaka.

Beautiful Mexican sunflower. So tall
 they touch the telephone lines.

# 84 March 13, Farewell Send off

Friday was our last full day on Kawambwa. We spent the first part of the morning meeting with our respective work groups and wrapping up our time with them. At 10:30 we were met by a student brass band, which marched us over to the recreation hall.  The students and teacher had planned a wonderful goodbye ceremony for us with traditional dancing, singing of songs composed for us, short skits all performed by the students who have albinism or have visual impairment to varying degrees. It was a very emotional time for we have grown to know and love the staff and students at both schools. They are wonderful people who are so cheerful and happy. 

In the evening we had a celebratory farewell meal with the sisters. These Zambian sisters at both convents are hardworking, vivacious, spirited and so full of fun. We sang, attempted to ululate (a traditional African call of celebration and happiness similar to yodeling) and tried do the traditional African hip shaking dance which the sisters can do like professionals. We ate a wonderful meal, highlighted with the special celebratory chicken dish and had another of Sr Marjory’s cakes. Good by dear friends.

Beautiful amber eyes.

Most of the student body and some teachers.

Betty Jane cutting the Farewell cake.

A wonderful tribute sang by these students.
Those in green are blind.

Betty Jane's music student on the keyboard, far right.
He is totally blind. Xavier the man is striped shirt is a
teacher and almost sightless.

Colleen and her student mentorsGoodson, Doris,
Blessing, Gift, Ireen and Prosper.

The littles 

Loves his hat. 

This is Kelvin

Betty Jane saying good bye to house mother Helen

Colleen with Vincent who is totally blind and teaches grade 3
without any discipline problems.

The children all have gargantium appetites.

Enough food for an adult.

Our Kawambwa sister friends.

Sr marjory with the Celebratory chicken.

Broilers and layers

Supper with the St Mary's sisters.

# 83 February 13, 2026. Youth Day

Today was International Youth Day and Zambia makes it a big celebration. It was a national holiday, with a large parade and a big gathering at the town square with lots of music and traditional dancing. We went to the square and spent time watching the performances. Some of our group went to the games at the St Mary’s High School up the road and commented on all the polite and friendly young people at the school. This school is also administrated by the Sisters of the Child Jesus. 

Glazier at work, a real pro.

Hardware store, a little of everything 

John catching up with old friends

One stop hardware store.

Last part of the parade

Parade

Parade

Card players

Phone not working? He can fix it!

John and friends

Sr Marjory and friends 

The Littles

Preparing maize

The finer points of checkers

Discovering 3D printer braille student supports

Platform for water tank storing water from new well.

There mites can eat lot.

Can't believe the portions they can put away.

Girls dorm