Inverness County Cares

I am Paul Kachela and I have Ocular Albinism, which is a genetic condition that causes lack of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes and is often accompanied by visual impairment. A young person with albinism has great difficulty because often their family doesn’t understand the need to use protective clothing to shield them from the sun and the importance of sunscreen. Persons with albinism are thought of as abnormal or evil spirits. My own family had problems handling my situation, I was even failing to go to school, because of their lack of knowledge of my condition.  

Working in the sun is difficult because my skin cannot accommodate the light so I can’t work at farming and fishing like my family. My parents are farmers and despite knowing I was an albino, they sometimes forced me to work in the fields, but…this is what my family understands. I need to do other jobs out of the sun that do not put me in danger. Some friends have similar experiences with their families who even stopped them from wearing caps, not understanding this is to prevent melanoma. 

People laugh at us, call us names and say threatening things. They should understand that we feel bad when they mock us. Our greatest fear is of people who think of us as a possible source of income. Some desperate and immoral people consider maiming or killing us for our body parts and selling them for huge amounts of money. This  actually happens in Africa! We look different but we are intelligent and not Ghosts as some people believe.

They fail to understand us and blame persons with albinism for bad luck, however we know we are exceptional beings and realize people just don’t recognize this because of ancient cultural beliefs.

Sr Agnes remarks, “After Paul went to school, his aunt (sister to his mother) took him in and he started staying with her during holidays. Sometimes he was kept by house parents during holidays. His father never bothered to know where he was.”

I am now in a very good and happy time, for I can understand myself as God created me. Albinism is a challenge especially because of visual  distortions and poor sight. Sometimes I find it a challenge when it comes to seeing things which are distant, and sometimes I find it a challenge to see something which is at a short distance.  My vision is constantly changing and is very sensitive to bright colours and light.  It is easier for us to see bright colours, for it helps us to locate places at a distance. Our school is a joyful environment and it has landmarks which are painted yellow and black, which are very easy for us identify and show where we are going.  Sometimes when I rise from sleep, brightly colored objects and bright lights makes my head very painful whereby even the tears come out of my eyes. I like wearing dark clothes, for it does not reflect light, and protects my eyes from the pain.

When I was growing up, some in my community understood me but others were afraid of me and thought maybe I was a ghost.  I wondered to my Mother, “Why do people run when they see me?” My mother explained saying, “They just feel scared when you go near them because they think you may hurt them. I know you are  a human being like everyone else.” People believe when a woman conceives a child with albinism, she has done something wrong to the society, or maybe to the spirits. I am upset when people call me bad names, then other times I feel very good associating with people with different skins who understand albinism is genetic not supernatural.

When I came to school St Mary’s School, for the visual impaired I was seven years old and the youngest. I learned to associate with others easily because St Mary’s is a community of people with visual impairment. I feel normal here where I understand myself and the community understands me. The people in this school family are very kind and the students at the school are very comfortable here.

Betty Jane says, “Paul was very articulate and full of stories, and quick to learn how to care for the instruments – stringing, repairing, tuning, and simple chording. He was a good coach for the blind students as his own sight is very poor, and he understood their challenges. He always wore a red cap, tilted his head and squinted through almost closed eyes that looked infected and were painful. His face and hands were rough and full of sores. He has a huge smile.”

John and John were impressed to see Paul join the volunteers who slashed the grass to prepare the grounds for the student’s arrival. At a farewell party for ICC members, he acted as DJ and MC. We saw him modelling leadership for the many students in the school who were dealing with the same challenges that they had to cope with at a similar stage and age.

I’m very proud of myself because I’m now able to do productive work as a teacher. The Canadian organizations, Inverness County Cares and Chalice have supported my education and given me a chance to become independent. Many thanks to the Canadian people for their contributions to my education. Without the St Mary’s Special School in Kawambwa I could not have achieved what I have. At St Mary’s School I have learned how to navigate our community and the outside world.

Inverness County Cares (ICC) is a local charitable organization, founded in 2012 and based in Inverness County, NS, Canada. ICC works in partnership with Chalice.ca, a Canadian charity, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Chalice provides guidance and assistance to help ICC provide a better life for the children at the Kawambwa schools. The Kawambwa Project involves supporting two schools for albino and visually impaired students, in Northern Zambia. Inverness County Cares always welcomes new members. Individuals who wish to donate, can use the donate button on our website   https://invernesscountycares.com When using E-transfer, please include your mailing address for CRA tax receipts and a thank you message.   E-transfer address:  [email protected] or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided.

Mr. Chisembe is a remarkable man. He lives life to the fullest and he can be seen traversing the grounds of the St Mary’s school confidently with his white cane. This is his story.

I am Mensa Chisembe and I am visual impaired. I was born some 50 years ago in town called Chingola on the Copper Belt province of Zambia. I am the oldest of seven children. When I was two years old, I suffered from measles and that left me with no sight. I started grade one when I was eight years old in the Copperbelt and I did up to grade nine in 1991. I left that school and I went to school in Lusaka. After that I went to Mansa Training College then I started working 1999. In 2008 I went back to college and did special education and I’ve been working for the government for the last 25 years as a teacher. I have 10 years before I retire.

I love politics and I talk a lot about politics, in fact I taught social studies. I love singing and enjoy a lot of music. I love exploring a lot of things and I love to learn English and interact with a lot with people. I am a Catholic by birth and I hope I will be a Catholic to death.

I enjoy my week working with the kids and have been working with good people since 1999. In 1982 I started learning braille when I was at another school, which is built by the Lions’ Club. When I was in that school people admired the way, I got around with my white cane. I am skilled at it and it is just second nature to me. I discovered that if I use the white cane, it  protects me from danger, helps with confidence and then helps to keep me straight and maintains balance. People say I have a sixth sense as I have become very skilled at identifying objects just with my hands.

We say a teacher needs eyes in the back of their head, but even if I don’t see, I don’t have a problem and I can maintain discipline in my class. Some of the people that I’ve taught are teaching here at St Mary’s.

My home is close to the school and I have one wife three kids. Fortunately, one of our children was employed recently by the government.  One child is in college, studying banking and finance then the other one is going to college to do radiography. In my spare time I sing in the choir. I love football so much and I follow a lot of football. I listen to You Tube to learn more about football and listen to music.

John Gillies remarks, “The image I have of Mr. Chisembe in my memory, is of him confidently walking in all kinds of weather across the grounds of St Mary School in Kawambwa. His guiding white cane was always firmly in hand. He was well-dressed and walked at a fair pace. I met him at the various meetings and school assemblies which we six ICC members attended while at the school. As head master or deputy head master of the school Mr. Chisembe was often the spokesperson for the staff and school. He was impressive as he shared both his ideas and his words. I could not help but think what a great role model he was for many of the students, the majority of whom were blind or visually impaired. What a confidence builder for them to see a blind man function not only as one of their teachers but as a key member of the school administrative and leadership team. He had their attention and respect. His staff likewise appreciated his intelligence and school leadership. He is a great support for Sister Agnes who is Head Teacher as well as co-ordinator for the Chalice program and activities within the school.

Mr. Chisembe is well read and informed on the affairs of the world and is willing to give his views not only on Zambian politics but on international issues as well. He was also a contented family man and spoke with pride of his children who had gone on to post-secondary studies and successfully entered the Zambian work force.”

Inverness County Cares (ICC) is a local charitable organization, founded in 2012 and based in Inverness County, NS, Canada. ICC works in partnership with Chalice.ca, a Canadian charity, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Chalice provides guidance and assistance to help ICC provide a better life for the children at the Kawambwa schools. The Kawambwa Project involves supporting two schools for albino and visually impaired students, in Northern Zambia. Inverness County Cares always welcomes new members. Individuals who wish to donate, can use the donate button on our website   https://invernesscountycares.com When using E-transfer, please include your mailing address for CRA tax receipts and a thank you message.   E-transfer address:  [email protected] or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided for USA and Canada.

Esnart Mwila was born totally blind. When her mother noticed that she was blind, she immediately denied her and wanted to throw her into the pit latrine, but the neighbors rescued her. At the age of 6 months her mother ran away and left Esnart with her grandmother who is still alive. Esnart has been staying with her grandmother, when she is in her home village, from that day to now.

Esnart started school at St Mary’s, in Kawambwa, at the age of ten. Today she is at Kasama College of Education pursuing a diploma in social studies and she is in the second year. This year from May to July she was doing her teaching practice at St James mission school in Kasama, Zambia. It is a Catholic  mission school for sighted learners, according to the report received and looking at her teaching file, she did well. We are glad to inform you that she formed a school choir and it is the legacy she left. Next year 2025, she will be in her final year (third year) and in December she will be writing her final examination. As a school site we are very much proud of Esnart, stated by Sister Agnes, administrator of the Kawambwa Project.

Esnart is a very determined young lady. Although totally blind she navigates almost like a sighted person. St Mary’s school curriculum has daily living classes where blind students are taught to navigate their environment and become confident and brave enough to travel the school grounds alone and later navigate in the village where there are many vehicles on the road. They also learn how to find their way in the market and go to the shops. A white cane is a great asset, it helps visually impaired persons to find their way around the community but they are expensive and we didn’t see any in use. We did bring ten canes with us on our visit which we hope will support learning for the students.

Esnart’s family are poor farmers who could not afford the school fees for her schooling but the Sisters allowed her to learn free of charge. There are six in her family and she is the  first born. Her home is made of mud brick with a thatched roof. They keep a garden and sell at the roadside market.

From the time she was born up to now, she has lived with her grandma when she was in  her village. She came to St Mary’s when she was 10 and at first it was difficult for her, but as time went by, she got used to living at St Mary’s and now it is fine. St Mary’s is her home since she has spent a lot of time there. Sometimes she doesn’t go home on holidays. She prefers being at St Mary’s, where she gets a lot of jobs and she especially enjoys teaching the lower grades. For her work she is given a small stipend to purchase personal items, plus room and board.

St Mary’s School has helped her a lot both spiritually and physically. When she was at her family home she didn’t know how to how to work properly. Her people didn’t understand  her talents and capabilities. The Sisters taught her a lot and for that she is very grateful. She would like to say, that she appreciates her Chalice sponsor and Inverness County Cares members, for she is benefiting from all the help given. Your support helps her to buy things that her parents cannot afford to give her. May the good Lord bless you that’s what she wants to say and thanks you.

Inverness County Cares (ICC) members first met Esnart in 2020 at the girls’ secondary school called St Mary’s, up the road behind the Kawambwa convent – where Sr. Florence was in charge. The eight blind St Mary’s girls went there after grade 9, and learned to integrate with sighted students. It is a huge, lively and totally unfamiliar territory for our St Mary’s students, full of new experiences, rather isolated dorms, and is initially very lonely and frightening for them. These blind girls were so happy to have ICC members visit and show them how they move about with sighted helpers. We walked with them to the library to see the small collection of braille books. They asked about the friends they left behind, and said it was hard to make new friends or join in games at their new school.
Esnart is quite mature and eager to talk with ICC members as new visitors to Zambia.

She is an eager learner and took full advantage of the teacher training provided by Inverness County Cares as well as music training by Betty Jane Cameron.

Esnart was very anxious to play the violin and attended as many music sessions as possible. She and her sighted companion and friend Susan learned together. The first thing they learned was the shape and function of the violin and bow, how to care for them, and how to listen for the sound. They learned quickly about holding the instrument against both shoulder and chin so as to feel and hear the tones, and then on to learning how to make beautiful sounds. They were both surprised to realize that perfect pitch notes were much easier for blind people who have highly developed listening skills. The violin is an instrument with no physical guidelines to help find notes – such as keyboard notes or guitar frets…in fact the only way for a string player is to listen carefully, bow properly and learn how to place fingers. Both girls were thrilled! The musical instruments were another tool in building their self-esteem.

Esnart is a perfect example of a person who is reaching for the stars. We celebrate her courage, fortitude and tenacity. 

Inverness County Cares (ICC) is a local charitable organization, founded in 2012 and based in Inverness County, NS, Canada. ICC works in partnership with Chalice.ca, a Canadian charity, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Chalice provides guidance and assistance to help ICC provide a better life for the children at the Kawambwa schools. The Kawambwa Project involves supporting two schools for albino and visually impaired students, in Northern Zambia. Inverness County Cares always welcomes new members. Individuals who wish to donate, can use the donate button on our website   https://invernesscountycares.com When using E-transfer, please include your mailing address for CRA tax receipts and a thank you message.   E-transfer address:  [email protected] or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided for USA and Canada.

Three years ago, Inverness County Cares made their first foray into farming. We grew potatoes and vegetables in John MacInnis’ field. It is a lovely piece of land, a flood plain with very few rocks and lovely loamy fertile soil. The weather cooperated and a bountiful crop was produced with great profits due to the support of our community. However, the potato bugs located us and keeping a large organic garden entailed the arduous task of hand picking the bugs and grubs for a good part of the summer. Our decision to discontinue the potato crop was a fortunate one for the next year was not a good potato year.

In late November of 2021 we planted out first test crop of garlic. Garlic is a crop that most gardeners enjoy planting, for with good preparation of the soil it can produce a good yield and get a fair price for the effort.

Garlic likes full sun and a well-drained location with a lot of rich compost, (rotted manure).  We selected a sunny hillside at MacLeod’s on the Lower Shore Road and began to prepare the site. Plentiful compost (thank you Alex and Justin Sutherland), was tilled in using our Troybilt Horse tiller, until the soil was fine and well mixed and no commercial fertilizer or pesticides were used.

We always use last year’s crop as seed for the following year. In late November we planted the largest cloves which gave the new crop a good start. Planting this late discourages the bulbs from sending up their green shoots in late fall. Each garlic bulb needs to be broken apart, leaving the papery skin intact. We plant a white large clove variety with about 4 cloves per bulb and a purple striped variety with more cloves per bulb, with the names of both lost over the years. We plant them about 4 inches apart and 2-3 inches under the soil with the pointy end up. Next step is to sprinkle a layer of straw to protect the garlic during the winter. We secure the straw by placing spruce boughs over the straw and this also collects and captures an insulating snow blanket, preventing the freeze and thaw cycle we are experiencing more often these past years.

Point of interest: Last spring in early March we noted that our personal stash of garlic had many sprouted cloves/bulbs. Rather than waste them we planted them. These spring bulbs grew well and some developed into ‘Solo’ garlic, which is a very nice one clove bulb.

In early spring the spruce boughs are removed but the straw remains to discourage weeds and retain moisture.  The garlic shoots are a welcome sight as they are some of the first signs of spring in mid-April. They grow quickly as the sun warms the soil and in July they produce scapes, which are the flowers of the garlic. Left unclipped they will grow into small bulblets and take the energy from the bulb and possibly reduce the garlic clove size by 30%. The scapes when picked early are tender and can be used in many delicious ways. We harvest garlic in August and when the 30% – 50% of the leaves have turned brown.

The bulbs are dried for a few weeks and then the tops are cut off and the roots snipped, but the bulb is left intact. This is where we are now.

OUR GARLIC BULBS ARE READY FOR SALE. The garlic proceeds will go toward providing sunscreen for the albino children.

We store our garlic in a ‘cold-room’ over the winter where it does well until some start sprouting. These we use for our spring planting.

Our garlic comes in many sizes. Since small garlic are harder to prepare, we peel the small cloves and put in a food processor with some olive oil. We portion this in convenient sizes, vacuum seal and freeze to provide an easy portion of garlic for cooking.

CONTACT US TO PURCHASE GARLIC. 902 227 5425 or [email protected]

$15 per pound.

Inverness County Cares (ICC) is a local charitable organization, founded in 2012 and based in Inverness County, NS, Canada. ICC works in partnership with Chalice.ca, a Canadian charity, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Chalice provides guidance and assistance to help ICC provide a better life for the children at the Kawambwa schools. The Kawambwa Project involves supporting two schools for albino and visually impaired students, in Northern Zambia. Inverness County Cares always welcomes new members. Individuals who wish to donate, can use the donate button on our website   https://invernesscountycares.com When using E-transfer, please include your mailing address for CRA tax receipts and a thank you message.   E-transfer address:  [email protected] or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided for USA and Canada.