Inverness County Cares in Zambia: # 64 February 22, 2026 Two Cakes and a Chicken

This morning Louis picked us up at 6:40 for 7:00 mass. Fr Leonard was the celebrant and he delivered a lengthy, spirited homily based on the temptation by the devil in the Garden of Eden and how Eve picked the apple and had her husband eat it. Mass was over at 9:15.

Breakfast was excellent, especially the large perfectly ripe avocadoes. We were given a tour of the school buildings and grounds to show us the improvements made possible by supporters of Inverness County Cares. We saw the ceiling tiles installed in all the classrooms. These tiles provide a barrier between the fiery temperatures created by the sun beating down on the metal roofs and the interior of the classrooms. We also provided the classrooms with 100 new single occupant desks. These changes are much appreciated improvements.

We also saw the bunk beds and understood how they increased the capacity of the dorms rooms times two. The dormitories were renovated to make better use of the space and to accommodate the bunk beds. Two bunk beds per room with a spot for storage for each student. Several beds were empty but Sr Auxillia explained that they save space for unexpected students with albinism or blindness, who arrive at all times during the school year.

The sisters related a sad story that illustrates the reality of danger that the albino students face. Last year an albino child was kidnapped (not from school) and before the parents were able to rescue him, the kidnappers had attempted to sever his arm. He was taken to hospital but sadly they had damaged his arm so badly it had to be amputated. The child is now a student at St Odilia.

Dinner was a celebration of an ICC member’s birthday. We learned the birthday customs of Zambia. There was first the birthday song, a very spirited and longer version of a Canadian Happy Birthday accompanied with enthusiastic ululations (a Zambian traditional celebratory vocalization, a bit like yodeling). Then there was the birthday chicken… a whole chicken baked with some delicious tomato sauce. The birthday person then cuts up the whole chicken to share. She gets the choice piece, the gizzard; and a share of the meat. The rest of the chicken is shared with friends. Then to top it all, a lovely Zambian cake with lit candles was brought out.

Soon after, Shikoli Kennedy and Evans from the Kenya Chalice office and Randy Spalding from Chalice Halifax arrived. We were happy to see them and put a face to the people we have been working with through Chalice for some time.

The afternoon ended with a noisy thunder storm with heavy rain which created some flooding.

At supper we had hand held meat pies (pasties), fish, chicken and shepherds pie, cassava, coleslaw and an another cake. The sisters are excellent cooks.

After supper John Gillies presented the sisters with three framed pictures. The photos were restored and colourized photos of the founders of their order, the Sisters of the Child Jesus. The sisters were thrilled to get them and ululated and sang their happiness. They really are such a fun order of sisters.