Author: Inverness County Cares Page 1 of 28

In Zambia, technology is scarce but skill, creativity and an unstoppable work ethic are abundant. The people here accomplish extraordinary things with the simplest of tools and a whole lot of fortitude.

Much of the country relies on subsistence farming. Imagine working sunbaked, sandy soil with nothing but a single tool: a long heavy hoe. There are no tractors, no mechanized help, just determination. Each day families walk kilometers to their fields, hoes slung over their shoulders, ready for hours of hard work. They grow enough food to feed their families and maybe have a little left over to sell at the market. The annual income for many of these hard-working farmers is around $400 Canadian dollars.

At the schools, even the grass cutting reveals the same blend of necessity and ingenuity. To keep dangerous snakes at bay, workers use ‘slashers’, long blades shaped like a small hockey stick, to manually cut grass. With one arm swinging in rhythmic relentless motion, the job gets done.

The schools also grow their own produce and raise poultry to feed both children and staff. Without refrigeration, food is sourced daily. When Winnie requested chicken for her cooking class, she didn’t expect to be greeted the next morning by live protesting chickens, but that’s how things work here. Everything is fresh and nothing comes easy.

Two volunteers, John Gillies and John MacInnis, partnered with local tradespeople to help improve the schools’ infrastructure. The word that best captures the spirit of the Zambian workers is MacGyver, making, fixing and inventing with whatever is at hand. The pair were amazed at the clever solutions they witnessed, building, patching and repairing using scraps, resourcefulness and pure willpower.

Take the windows for example. Sister Agnes’ request was to repair all 160 broken panes across the school buildings. While some had been held in place with putty, others had cement, which had been packed in when putty ran out. A hired glazier quickly adapted. He sent them to a nearby welding shop to get rebar shaped into chisels. Cost was just 25 cents a day to re-sharpen the tools. Within a few days, the old glass was gone and new panes were being cut and fitted with precision. However, the glazier reminded them that if the stops and hardware were not fixed, the next windstorm would undo everything. That task was taken care of and the windows are now secure.

Water was another critical issue. The showers and washrooms had long been dry. Sister Agnes brought in a plumber who knew the aging system. What followed was a masterclass in low-cost innovation, rubber tubing tightly wrapped around leaking joints, hand-dug trenches for new pipework with no rocks thankfully and hours of sweat. Within four days, water flowed again. The boys could finally take real showers instead of hauling buckets from a 45-gallon drum.

Of course, water pressure wasn’t perfect and as soon as the toilets began to flush, new problems emerged, leaking pipes, blockages and yet more digging. But by the time the volunteers left, the system was well on its way to working again.

The cement floors in many buildings were cracked and uneven, making them hard to clean and difficult for visually impaired students to navigate. ICC committed to fund new tile installation and the local tilers did such excellent work that John and John said they’d be proud to have it in their own Canadian homes. The tradespeople were not only skilled but innovative, using every resource to their advantage.

Electrical repairs were another top priority. The buildings needed a lot of work, over 100 light bulbs replaced, multiple fixtures and plugs repaired and kitchen stoves brought back to life. Years of wear and limited funding had taken a toll. To remedy this, Inverness County Cares initiated a new maintenance budget of $100 per month per school to help prevent things from falling into disrepair again.

In Canada, if materials cost $100, labour usually costs the same. In Zambia, the approach is different. Labour costs around $40 for every $100 of materials. It is a system shaped by economic necessity but it allows work to be done in a way that is sustainable and fair.

Inverness County Cares were able to contribute $17,200 CDN to cover the costs of the repairs described here. Many thanks to our wonderful supporters for making this happen.

What we witnessed in Zambia was more than just hard work. It was resilience, resourcefulness and a deep sense of community. These are people who don’t wait for perfect conditions. They make do, they adapt and they get the job done with whatever is on hand. Whether it is farming, plumbing or laying tile, they do it with pride and they do it together.

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 http://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.

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, a long-hoped-for blessing arrived at St. Mary’s Special School for the Blind in Kawambwa—a sturdy, reliable 2025 Toyota Hilux (Tacoma) diesel, 4×4 truck. Its arrival marked the end of a long wait and the beginning of new possibilities for the school community, who had hoped and prayed for this day.

This story began in January 2024, when members of Inverness County Cares (ICC) visited Zambia. During their visit, it became clear that a small, agile vehicle was greatly needed. A truck would help with the many daily responsibilities of the school—like collecting supplies and reaching students in distant rural villages, where no child should miss out on an education simply because of where they live.

Up until now, these tasks were managed with the help of a large 28-seater bus donated by Chalice and ICC three years ago. While this bus served with stamina and strength, it was not suited for transporting cement or lumber—or navigating the deeply rutted, muddy roads during Zambia’s long rainy season.

To offer some perspective, Zambia has nearly 68,000 km of roads, yet only a small portion are paved. The rest are gravel, sand, and dirt, and can be nearly impassable during the rains. A 4×4 vehicle, like the Hilux, is not a luxury here—it is a necessity.

Thanks to the generous hearts of ICC’s donors, the funds for the truck were sent before Christmas. But as is often the case with meaningful change, there were delays. For five months, the school waited patiently through a maze of paperwork and formalities. Eventually, Sister Marjory made the long, journey to Lusaka to collect the truck. It was a demanding trip—but one made in faith and hope.

When she and Lewis, the school’s devoted driver, returned to St. Mary’s, after a 21-hour drive, they were met with joyful singing, laughter, and even a shower of baby powder—a Zambian tradition to mark special occasions. The Hilux, decorated with balloons and ribbons rolled into the compound, bringing with it not just transport, but new opportunities.

Children crowded around the truck in awe, their excitement bubbling over as they asked for rides. Lewis did his best to balance his pride in the gleaming new vehicle with his concern that nothing should dim its shine. Father Kennedy Kashinga led a prayer of blessing over the truck and everyone who would use it and then said a mass of thanksgiving. Then, to the delight of all, Lewis gave the children rides around the compound tooting the horn as everyone sang and danced.

Sister Agnes, who manages the Chalice project and serves as the school administrator and the rest of the staff and sisters, were laughing, singing, and dancing with the children and staff. This moment meant so much. With this truck, the school can now reach children in the most remote corners of the region—ensuring that even the most isolated children have a chance to learn, grow, and be part of the Kawambwa family.

One of Sister Agnes’s first plans was to visit former students who have continued their education elsewhere, to check in, offer encouragement, and remind them that they are still very much part of the St. Mary’s community.

To everyone who played a part in making this possible: the students, caregivers, and staff extend their deepest thanks. Your generosity has brought more than just a truck—it has brought hope, dignity, and a renewed sense of connection.

St. Mary’s in Kawambwa and St. Odilia in Mporokoso continue to flourish because of your goodwill. These schools bear witnesses to the powerful change that can happen when people choose compassion, kindness, and love.

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   http://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.

Betty Jane Cameron of West Mabou is a longstanding member of Inverness County Cares (ICC) and has travelled to Zambia on two occasions. Her life experiences and medical field career have given her an excellent understanding of the challenges of life in remote Zambian villages.

The blind, visually impaired and albino children attending the Kawambwa schools face huge challenges when they are transplanted from their villages into the new and unfamiliar school environment. Many have faced social and emotional ordeals in their home villages because of the stigma of their visual handicaps and albinism. Children with albinism are often isolated, abused and even their lives threatened because of the myths surrounding albinism. 

Betty Jane recounts her experiences in the Kawambwa schools, where she found herself drawn to the house parents at St Mary’s Special School who care for the new, 4–5-year-old students.  

Betty Jane recounts, “Many children had poorly developed skills, were neglected by family and community, hidden away, shunned, and abused. They were often unable to relate to others, make friends, or understand how to care for basic daily needs. They sometimes arrived frightened, and withdrew or picked fights. I noticed this behaviour was seen in both children who were blind and those living with albinism.

I watched the amazing house parents love and teach the newcomers with gentle touches, hugs and soothing words. The little ones were often carried on their backs, as parents would do, lulled to sleep, hand fed and changed. Before long they were following the adults in long lines like little ducklings. In the primary class everyone had half egg cartons and small stones to learn braille, and they were guided by a patient teacher who also showed them the same tender care with songs, games, repetition and touch. How much things are the same in different cultures!

There are both male and female house-parents who live with the youngest and newest children at each school. They sleep in the same dorms, are responsible for the infirmary, and act as parents, teaching and guiding their behaviour, social skills, religious education, and safety at play, chores and travel around the grounds. 

I have seen them at the back of the recreation center with little ones sitting in big chairs, monitoring their attention and sleepiness levels – from falling off chairs, to gathering a tiny girl into her arms and rocking her to sleep, and one “dad” with his arms around a little boy on each side. 

The children are taught to be courteous and gracious to the elders. To celebrate our (ICC’s) time at the school, six small beautifully dressed small ones greeted each of us with flowers and took us by the hand into the hall. The proud house-parents were beaming from the sidelines.

There is a picture of a group of young boys enthusiastically showing their joy and thanks for a load of maize flour gifted by their local bishop. After posing politely for a photo, they then turned to help lift the heavy sacks into the storage room with the help (lots!) from their house-parents.

Saturday morning was laundry day for the school. The little ones were taught to care for their clothes, to fetch water, scrub, wring and hang the wash on nearby bushes. They had so much fun in the tub, splashing and chasing each other. They were gently taught the importance of caring for themselves and each other.

The adults are responsible for the infirmary and for the health of the children. They work with very limited first aid supplies and were grateful for the items we brought with us. They stay with any sick children overnight, and deal with flu, loneliness, homesickness, injuries and chronic illnesses like seizures. I answered questions, taught bandaging skills and explained uses for each item we brought and we made lists for future needs. They thanked us for our hands on demonstrations and for giving them confidence in their own abilities.

The children were also shown how to care for the school and orphanage animals – chickens, goats and rabbits, and they delighted in taking us to visit them.

House-parents and older children spent a lot of time with the young ones at play. This included making time for assembling scraps for toys such as skipping ropes from plastic water bottle rings and rolling wheels from sticks and hub caps. We brought soccer balls with bells inside, and taught the small boys and girls to listen for the sound approaching as they kicked to another child nearby. The children loved to work with clay and make figures and furniture for mini homes. Many little ones loved digging for groundnuts and cracking them with stones to get a free snack.

The house-parents dealt with behaviour issues, especially among the newest young boys. Many were good, experienced fighters, and had no positive models to develop social skills. Their house-parents would take them to school if they were afraid, show them how to make friends, dealt with toilet training, fear of adults and helped develop culturally appropriate eating skills.

Safety training was a big part of house-parents work and they were always on high alert – dealing with falls, tears, band aids, broken legs and arms. They were at the sides of their small charges to provide sunscreen protection, to navigate paths, building edges, classroom access, potholes, flooded areas, garden paths and in the garden sorting vegetables from weeds….”

The love and care provided by these dedicated house parents is an invaluable service. They offer a transition from the familiar to a whole new world. At the Kawambwa schools they are provided with the love and care needed to develop confidence and self-esteem. The school forms a foundation which provides them with the means to a successful and productive life despite their challenges.

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   http://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.

Five years ago, the Kawambwa schools in Kawambwa and Mporokoso were meeting the very basic needs of their visually impaired and blind students…just barely. Food was the most important need with shelter and education next.

Each student had a school uniform which they changed out of as soon as school was over. The play clothes were, what was available, without a focus on style, fit or sun protection.

Just like any child they delight in cute clothes which make them feel pretty and accepted.

Five years later there have been major improvements in infrastructure, transportation and the availability of water but a practical, pretty dress of their own, still is a dream for most girls.

Dress a Girl Around the World is a Campaign under Hope 4 Women International bringing dignity to women around the world since 2006.  Hope 4 Women International is a nondenominational independent Christian organization dreaming of a world in which every girl has at least one new dress. They want girls to know that they are worthy of respect, and that they are loved by God. “Dress a Girl Around the World” consists of volunteer sewing groups with the intention of making dresses for girls around the world. Since its birth in October of 2009 more than two million dresses have been distributed to 90 countries.

The members of the Judique Crafters Group meet every Monday during the fall and winter in the Story Teller’s Gallery. Anyone can drop in, core members are Jean MacDonald, Deb Graham, Judy Sandham, Charlotte Rankin, Marion Graham, Dena Mackinnon, Cathy Cotton, Sheila MacDonell, Florence Beaton, Marian MacLellan and Donelda Mac Donell who donated dresses when she heard of the project.

The building they gather in was originally an old store built as a company house on the Company Road in Port Hood and taken in sections to Judique and rebuilt as a store (Jack MacDougall’s) and was repurposed into a museum. Debbie Graham brought forward the idea of making the Story Teller’s Gallery available for those who wanted to meet for a craft afternoon. To promote the idea, they searched for a short-term project where community members could work together in a comfortable social atmosphere.

On a fabric shopping trip to Atlantic Fabrics in  New Glasgow, Jean MacDonald spotted a notice promoting Dress a Girl Around the World. The ladies enthusiastically welcomed this as the project they were searching for. Patterns are available on the website and club members made four or five dresses each. The dresses are made from beautiful serviceable material, sewn securely with flat (French) seams and pockets. The patterns are just what any little girl would be delighted to wear. As an added touch the club has added pretty panties which go with each dress.

 Now that they had about 30 gorgeous dresses that would delight a little girl somewhere, but where? Inspired by the work of Inverness County Cares (ICC) the crafters approached ICC members to inquire if they could send their dresses to the Kawambwa schools in Northern Zambia. ICC enthusiastically agreed that the Zambian children would be overjoyed to receive such wonderful gifts. Shipping is always a problem, expensive postage and unreliable postal services cause doubt that the dresses would arrive at the intended destination. It was decided that the dresses will go to Zambia on the next ICC members trip in perhaps 2026. When the sisters were asked if they would like to receive the dresses, they all expressed happiness for the dresses and gratitude that they were chosen.

Judique Crafter members expressed the satisfaction they feel brightening up the lives of these dear little girls. They compare them to their own granddaughters and think, how fortunate we are to live in Canada. It was also voiced how members enjoy getting together for some tea and biscuits and in the process growing closer to their work mates and learning a skill in the process. 

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   http://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