Inverness County Cares

By Colleen MacDonald MacLeod

On October 16, 2026,  St. Mary’s Special School in Kawambwa, Zambia, learned the heartbreaking news that Pascal, a Grade 3 student, had died after a brief bout of malaria. Pascal was a person with albinism. He had three sisters and two brothers, and his family lived in the Luwingu District in Zambia’s Northern Province.

Both of Pascal’s parents are subsistence farmers. They grow maize, cassava, and vegetables for their family, selling their produce at markets or along the roadside. They live in a typical grass-thatched house where Pascal would return during school holidays.

While many children with albinism face stigma in their villages, Pascal was fortunate to be welcomed by his community. He was social and outgoing and loved playing football, telling stories, moulding clay cars, and serving as an altar boy. He also enjoyed music and playing with his friends Jenam and Geoffery.

Sister Agnes, the school administrator, remembers Pascal warmly: “You were such a good boy who was talented in football, humble by nature, and so obedient. Your presence shall really be missed, for your demise was so sudden. Our minds are so upset and we are left in a dilemma since we were not expecting it … but God has allowed it. You’ve left a very big gap and we shall miss you. May your soul rest in peace.”

Betty Jane Cameron recounts,” Pascal was one of my students learning the flute. He hung around the music room and watched the instruments unpacked and the drums assembled. He was one of many who taught me the Zambian national anthem. Pascal was full of fun, wildly dancing with his class on the final day of our grand celebration. A delightful young boy.”

Malaria rates in Northern Zambia are among the highest in the world. Because transmission rates are so elevated, the average child contracts malaria at least once a year. When treated early, the fatality rate is low. However, if treatment is delayed and a child is hospitalized with severe malaria, the death rate rises to approximately 8%. Pascal was taken to the Kawambwa General Hospital, where he was diagnosed and treated, but his condition worsened rapidly and he passed away within days.

Malaria typically begins with flu-like symptoms, often presenting as a high fever, intense shaking, chills, and profuse sweating. Severe headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, are also commonly experienced. If left untreated, the infection can rapidly progress to life-threatening malaria.

The illness is common among children at St. Mary’s School. Many pupils, as well as the sisters and staff, contract it regularly. The northern provinces are the most affected regions in the country. Heavy rains, tropical wetlands, and thick forests create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. About 98% of cases are caused by the deadliest type of malaria parasite. Children under five and pregnant women suffer the most, since malaria is the leading cause of death for young children.

Treatment for uncomplicated malaria costs about $3 USD per case. Severe malaria in children requiring hospitalization can cost up to $15 USD.

Malaria in these villages is as common as the seasonal flu in temperate regions. Nearly every child experiences it each year, but most recover with treatment. Transmission occurs all year, though cases skyrocket right after the heavy rainy season.

Public health groups and major news outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, report that dismantling USAID paused $76 million in medical deliveries. This cut off 80% of malaria medication and abruptly stopped the trucks moving supplies to rural clinics.

To decrease the rate of infection, education stands as the first priority. Villagers need to know they can clear mosquito breeding grounds by filling in muddy puddles and tire tracks, keeping water containers covered, and cutting grass short within 15 metres of their homes. Alongside education, insecticide-treated bed nets provide a life-saving tool. Supplying schools and families with these nets, costs about $42 Canadian dollars per net.

The Community Health Worker Model offers another path forward to address the isolation of remote villages and the lack of transportation. Trusted local volunteers are trained in their own villages and equipped with rapid finger-prick tests and basic oral antimalarial pills. They can diagnose and treat children within the critical first 24 hours of a fever, keeping mild malaria from turning fatal.

Children who are blind, visually impaired, or living with albinism have severe, unique vulnerabilities to malaria. Blind students cannot see or swat mosquitoes, making bed nets their absolute lifeline. Students with albinism also have highly sensitive skin; constant scratching from bug bites can lead to dangerous skin breaks and chronic infections.

When ICC members visited Zambia, they were well prepared with antimalarial medication. Local Zambians do not take preventive malaria medication continuously because the cost would amount to 20% to 25% of their yearly income. When visiting Zambia in 2026, ICC members noted that approximately five of the sisters were unwell with malaria just at St. Mary’s. They take the medication, take a few sick days, and treat it much like the flu is experienced in Canada.

It is important to keep in mind that the average yearly income of a subsistence farmer is approximately $400 CAD. Medication that Westerners consider reasonably priced is way beyond their budget. At both schools, the students and staff do not have mosquito nets, which are considered the primary inexpensive solution. It is our hope that mosquito nets will be available in the future, keeping in mind that the schools must weigh which priorities are the most urgent.

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, based in Bedford, Nova Scotia. Chalice provides assistance through site visits, audits and accounting. The Kawambwa Project supports two schools for blind, albino and visually impaired students in Northern Zambia.   https://invernesscountycares.com

 When using E-transfer, please include your mailing address for CRA tax receipts and a thank you message.   E-transfer address:  invernesscountycares@gmail.com or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided.

We still have some organic garlic for sale, contact Colleen MacLeod, 119 Lower Shore Road, Judique.   902-227-5425.     Email: colmac27@gmail.com

By John Gillies and Colleen MacDonald MacLeod

This June, the Inverness County Cares’ hard-neck garlic produced its curly central flower stalks, known as “scapes.” Once they formed their loops, the scapes were cut off at the base. This encourages the plant to send its energy back down into producing a larger garlic bulb. Garlic scapes are delicious, but when you have more than 1,000 of them, it is quite a lot of garlic scapes! Fortunately, friends were happy to take them off our hands for stir fries, pesto, pickling or perhaps warding off vampires.
By July and August, it was time to harvest the garlic bulbs. We know the garlic is ready when the bottom three or four leaves have turned brown and dry, while five or six leaves are still green. This year we were rewarded with an abundant harvest. Garlic has a different growing cycle than most other Nova Scotia crops, and because it needs well drained soil, our garlic plot is planted on a slope with full sun.
Once the current season’s crop is harvested in August, it is already time to begin preparing for next year’s garlic. The first step is to roto-till the oat straw that served as a winter cover and mulch during the growing season. The straw has been threshed and the grain seeds have been removed. As mulch, it helps retain moisture and discourage weeds. We use our Troy-Bilt Horse tiller, a true workhorse, to shred the straw and incorporate it into the soil. Many light layers of grass clippings from our neighbor’s, Hughie, Janet and Jonathan’s lawns and our own lawn are added and mixed thoroughly into the soil. Many thanks to the best neighbors. Grass clippings make wonderful green manure and best of all, contain no seeds or weeds. As the clippings decompose, they feed beneficial soil microbes and earthworms. This organic material improves the soil structure, reduces compaction, helps retain water and allows sandy or clay soils to hold nutrients more effectively. Our garlic is completely organic. No commercial fertilizers have ever been used on this plot of land.
After harvesting, the hard-neck garlic bulbs are hung in our shed where there is plenty of ventilation. After three or four weeks of drying, the stalks are clipped, the roots are snipped and the bulbs are stored in ventilated baskets until they are ready for sale. The largest bulbs are saved for seed for the following year. Big cloves generally produce big bulbs, so we keep the best of the harvest for planting. We use our own garlic rather than supermarket garlic because it is not always a Canadian product, is usually soft-neck garlic and may have been treated to prevent sprouting. At present, the garlic plot is still receiving additions of grass clippings and will soon be ready for a load of composted manure from our Garden Angels. Thank you, Melissa, Troy, Justin and Alex! This will be the top layer and won’t be tilled in very deep.
We plant our garlic cloves in late November. If planted too early, they may begin growing before winter arrives, when we would rather see that growth waiting until spring. Just before planting, we gently break the largest bulbs into individual cloves, leaving the papery skins intact. The cloves are planted about two inches deep with the pointed end facing up. They are spaced four to six inches apart, with approximately six inches between the rows. To keep everything neat and properly spaced, we use snow fence as a planting grid. It works wonderfully for making sure each clove is planted in the right spot. We also try to have the ground prepared as early as possible because by November the soil can be muddy and messy. Once the cloves are planted, they are covered with a generous layer of straw. Straw is preferable to grass clippings because it does not form a heavy mat and allows the garlic shoots to easily make their way toward the sun in the spring. The straw is then covered with spruce branches to hold it in place and catch the snow. The snow provides an additional layer of insulation against the freeze and thaw cycles we now experience each winter.
Think of garlic as a tiny natural powerhouse. When a clove is crushed or chopped, it releases compounds that are believed to offer a number of health benefits. Garlic has long been valued for its role in supporting the immune system and may help the body fight off illness. It is also associated with heart health and may help support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Garlic contains natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries as part of a healthy diet.
Inverness County Cares chose garlic as a fundraiser because it produces a dependable crop, is fairly easy to care for, is popular with cooks and provides a good source of revenue for the schools for the blind in Zambia. This year we are selling our garlic for $30 a pound. Think of it as making a donation with some very healthy benefits included. All of our garlic sold out before Christmas last year and we are hoping for another successful season. Thank you to all our generous customers for your continued support. Every bulb purchased helps Inverness County Cares continue supporting schools for blind and visually impaired students in Zambia.
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 through site visits, audits and accounting. The Kawambwa Project supports two schools for blind, 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:  invernesscountycares@gmail.com or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided.

Garlic will be available after September 28th. For pre orders or orders contact Colleen MacLeod, 119 Lower Shore Road, Judique.
902-227-5425.     Email: colmac27@gmail.com

Charlotte’s Third Trip to Zambia

Retired teacher Charlotte Rankin made her third trip to Zambia in February and March of 2026. Drawing on her many years of teaching experience, Charlotte spent much of her time working with students at St Odilia and St Mary’s schools. At St Odilia, Charlotte taught Grade 6 English grammar to approximately 43 students. With such a large class of students with varying abilities and visual capacities; in a classroom designed for about half that number, getting the lesson to everyone was quite a challenge. Three to five students shared each seat, even though the benches were intended for a maximum of two. Despite the cramped conditions, the students listened attentively and carefully copied their notes. Among them were blind and very visually impaired students who took their notes on braille slates using a stylus. Charlotte was amazed at the speed with which they could write. Their main accommodation in the classroom was to sit closer to the teacher so they could hear clearly without the surrounding classroom noise drowning out her voice. Without visual cues, being able to hear the teacher is especially important. With virtually no teaching aids available other than a well-worn blackboard, the most practical method of teaching in a classroom like this is the lecture method. This style of teaching has its roots in the British colonial education system and continues to be widely used.

At St Mary’s, Charlotte worked with Mr. Chisimbe, a blind teacher who taught a Grade 7 class of approximately 12 students. Most of the students were blind or had very limited vision. Charlotte’s role was to read literary texts to the students and then engage them in discussion about what they had heard. Braille copies of the texts were scarce, so the students listened carefully and responded to the discussion. Charlotte assumed that Mr. Chisimbe had another goal in mind as well. He wanted his students to become familiar with different English accents, including the accents of their Canadian visitors. Charlotte was impressed by how in tune he was with his students. Although he could not see them, he could recognize each student by their voice.

Charlotte also spent time working with student mentors who were teaching their peers how to play the games introduced by the Canadian visitors. This was one of the most enjoyable parts of her visit. The informal setting gave her an opportunity to interact with both the students and staff in a relaxed and fun way. She noticed that the Canadian volunteers were most needed at the beginning, when the games were introduced and explained. After that, the student mentors took over and taught their classmates almost entirely on their own. The maturity, confidence and sense of responsibility shown by these young mentors was remarkable. Charlotte felt their wisdom and leadership were far beyond what one might expect from students their age.

Like many of the Inverness County Cares volunteers, Charlotte was also given many items to take to the schools. As a member of the Monday Crafters at the Story Teller’s Gallery in Judique, she was delighted to bring 43 beautifully made children’s dresses. The younger girls were absolutely thrilled with their new dresses. The Hope Chest in Mabou, along with other generous donors, also provided a large collection of books for students who have some sight. These gifts, both practical and thoughtful, added another dimension to the visit and brought plenty of smiles.

A particularly special part of Charlotte’s trip was the opportunity to visit with her sponsored child, Charity Katai. Spending time together allowed Charlotte to get to know her better and made an already meaningful visit even more memorable. Charlotte returned home with many stories and a deeper appreciation for the students and teachers she had met. Her third trip to Zambia once again showed how much can be accomplished through sharing skills, encouragement and a willingness to learn from one another.

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:  invernesscountycares@gmail.com or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided.

 Garlic time! Inverness County Cares has harvested more that 1,000 cloves of organic garlic. It is presently hanging to cure and will be ready for sale in a few weeks.

Call/text 902 227 5425 to order. This delicious organic garlic is a fundraiser for the Kawambwa schools in Zambia.

By Colleen MacDonald MacLeod

When six members of Inverness County Cares (ICC) travelled to Zambia last February and March of 2026, every suitcase carried more than clothes and supplies. Tucked among the luggage were decks of cards, dominoes, chess boards, checkers, dice and other familiar games that many Canadians remember from their childhood. At first glance they seemed like simple games. Before long they became some of the most valuable teaching tools in two schools serving children who are blind, visually impaired or living with albinism.

Each member of the ICC team contributed different skills. Betty Jane Cameron shared her experience as a nurse, midwife and music teacher. Charlotte worked with classroom teachers. Winnie shared her talents as a chef. John MacInnis tackled electrical repairs and maintenance projects. John Gillies brought his experience as a teacher and guidance counsellor, while Colleen MacDonald MacLeod focused on elementary education and teacher training.

Having worked in Zambia before, the team already understood many of the challenges facing the schools. The classrooms are beyond basic. Teaching materials are scarce and assistive learning resources are almost nonexistent. Schools simply do not have the funds to purchase the educational materials that Canadian teachers use every day. Lessons are often taught through lectures, repetition and memorization because there are few resources to make learning interactive.

One thing became obvious during an earlier visit. When classes ended and the children returned to their dormitories, there were very few indoor activities to occupy their spare time. Most recreation centred around outdoor ball games. It seemed like an opportunity waiting to happen. Before leaving Canada, ICC appealed for donations of games and playing cards. Regular visits to Value Village produced checkers, Chinese checkers, chess, Snakes and Ladders, dominoes, dice and many of the games that once filled cupboards in Canadian homes before electronic entertainment became part of everyday life. A handbook explaining the rules of every game was also prepared so teachers and students could continue using them long after the Canadian volunteers returned home.

The first stop was St. Mary’s School in Kawambwa. Six senior middle school students, chosen for their leadership abilities, became game mentors. Each morning they gathered to learn another game. Go Fish, Crazy Eights and Uno quickly became favourites. Dominoes, dice games and Scrabble followed close behind. It didn’t take long before something remarkable happened. Within days, the student mentors were teaching their classmates and younger children. Those students, in turn, passed the games along to others. Learning spread naturally throughout the school. By the end of the three weeks, school administrator Sr. Agnes organized an afternoon where the student mentors taught the games to teachers, school staff and members of the school board. Watching the students confidently explain the rules and coach the adults was a proud moment. Their confidence had grown with every lesson they taught.

The same approach was introduced at St. Odilia School. This time 12 Grade Ten students became the mentors. Their maturity and leadership skills allowed them to master the games quickly. Before the second week was over, they had taken over the teaching themselves. The Canadian volunteers were no longer needed at the game tables because the students had become the teachers. Although many of the children are blind or visually impaired, very few games were beyond their reach. Braille playing cards, Braille Scrabble, raised dot dice and tactile dominoes allowed students to play entirely by touch. Other games were easily adapted so everyone could participate. Sometimes the games moved a little more slowly, but no one seemed to notice. The laughter around the tables said it all. Students who are blind also benefited from innovative teaching materials produced by a generous ICC supporter using a Bambu 3D printer. Braille manipulatives gave students another opportunity to learn by touch, making lessons more personal, practical and engaging.

To ensure the program continued after the Canadians returned home, Sr. Agnes took responsibility for the games at St. Mary’s while Mr. Miller coordinated the program at St. Odilia. The games were carefully stored, organized and regularly brought out for students to enjoy. Since returning to Canada, ICC has continued to receive photographs and updates showing that the games remain an important part of school life. Anyone walking past a classroom during those weeks would likely have stopped to listen. The sounds coming through the windows were not of children repeating lessons in unison, but of laughter, cheering and excited conversations. The classrooms were filled with enthusiasm. There were no discipline problems because every student wanted to participate. The excitement didn’t end with the students. Evenings at the convent often became spirited competitions as sisters and ICC members challenged one another to games of cards, Chinese Checkers and Scrabble. It quickly became clear that these timeless games appealed to every generation.

These games are much more than entertainment. Every game encourages children to think, solve problems, recognize patterns, count, remember strategies and make decisions. Card and dice games strengthen early numeracy and memory. Dominoes improve pattern recognition and spatial reasoning. Scrabble builds vocabulary and language skills. At the same time, children learn patience, cooperation, communication and how to accept both winning and losing with grace. Perhaps most importantly, these games bring people together. Around one table sit children with different abilities, teachers, sisters and visitors, all laughing together and learning from one another. A simple deck of cards or a game of dominoes becomes a bridge between cultures, generations and abilities.

Months later, the games are still being played. Students continue teaching younger students. Teachers continue using them in their classrooms. Families have joined in as well. The games have become part of everyday life in both schools. Sometimes the greatest gifts are not the most expensive or the most complicated. Sometimes they come packed in a small cardboard box filled with playing cards or dominoes, bringing learning, laughter and friendships that continue long after the visitors have gone home. Inverness County Cares is deeply grateful to the many Canadians who donated games, playing cards and financial support. Every single donation, made this project a reality.

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:  invernesscountycares@gmail.com or send a cheque to Inverness County Cares, 5414 Route 19, Judique, NS, Canada, B0E1P0. Taxation receipts provided.