# 51 February 9th, 2026 Music/games

This morning Inverness County Cares (ICC) people took a tour of the school grounds to see the infrastructure  improvements made possible by ICC donors. We saw the washrooms and toilets for the boys and the girl's washrooms. They are a definite improvement and look very clean and safe...with running water and flushing toilets. John MacInnis and John Gillies took the lead on this project and they checked out all the improvements and took notes on other areas that needed repairs. 

Our next stop was to check out the new music equipment. James and Paul opened boxes, connected cords  and tested out the instruments. We had an impromptu concert by the 'Betty Jane and James band'. consisting of Betty Jane, Paul, James and some very excited children who were singing to the music. 

Charlotte worked in Mr Chesembe's class, met the students and read a Canada story. Winnie met with the teacher she will be working with in the Home Ec room. Colleen met with a group of students and some teachers and began the lessons on how to play common card games, dice games, dominoes and later Scrabble. The first lesson was a success with the students picking up on dominoes very quickly. The plan is to make them comfortable with the game through practice and then move on to another game. Sr Agnes, James and Agnes assisted and we all had fun. Dominoes helps reinforce number recognition, counting and  computing strategies. The games will be left at the school with instructions.

At 4:00 we took the bus to the orphanage close by which we had visited last trip to Zambia.The children were as wonderful as ever and all had grown so much and truly loved to see us. Little Sylvia was crying because we had to return to the convent for supper.  

After supper we played games with the sisters. Chinese Checkers was with the two Johns and the sisters. John MacInnis could be heard complaining loudly when he lost and mentioning a fixed game. The next table had two domino games going. Everyone caught on very quickly and there was a lot of laughing and exclamations.  The sisters will be part of the team providing encouragement, so students will continue to play in the future. 

Checking out the newly renovated washrooms

Working showers

The inside of the cookhouse. Pots are placed
 inside over the fire which is outside.

Poultry checking out the fire under the pots.

Pots donated by ICC

Charlotte and Paul with her sponsored child

Sr Marjory's new door. 

Children in Braille class.

John MacInnis, Mr Chesimbe, John G, Vincent.
Both blind teachers.

Enjoying the new Toyota Hilux donated by ICC donors.

First performance of the Betty Jane and James band. 

John and Lewis with the Toyota Hilux 

gifted by Inverness County Cares donors.

Betty Jane at orphanage

Spotted this dear little girl leading her blind friend. 

Dominoes with Sr Agnes.

Champion domino players

Team uniforms gifted by ICC donors.