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.
