World Problems

Texts about
World
Problems

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Help Homelessness
Written by Susan Radtke
Date
"Why did you say good morning to that bum?" asked Jaime.
Karen said, "He's not a bum; he is just a homeless man."
"I see him every time I pass this block, and one time he asked my dad if he had some change to
spare. He gives me the creeps, and maybe if he changed his clothes once in awhile he wouldn't
smell so terrible."
"Honestly, Jaime, sometimes you can be so mean. It is easy for you to make fun of him. Your
parents take you to the mall every other day to buy you an outfit. They also pay for all the hair
products, makeup, deodorant, and perfume that make you smell so nice. If they didn't, then you
might smell just like that man."
"Hey, Karen, why are you getting so bent out of shape? I was just stating some facts, not making
fun of him. Stop overreacting. Maybe he will get a job, and then his appearance will improve."
"I'm not overreacting. Things will never improve if all people do is look down their noses at the
homeless."
"What can I do to help that man? I am only twelve. I don't have a job."
"It's not all about money. It's your attitude. Start by showing homeless people a little respect by
saying ‘hello' or ‘good morning.' A smile goes a long way too."
"Ok, I can do that, but it still won't help that man. Besides saying hello, Karen, what's your great
idea for helping homeless people?"
What solution will Karen give Jaime to help the homeless man's situation and other homeless
people in America?
Answer the following questions before you finish the story.
1. Will donating clean clothes to local charities be Karen's solution to helping the homeless? How
will being dressed appropriately help the homeless man in the story?
2. Will Karen suggest making survival kits full of necessities to help the homeless man? What
items could be placed in the kit that homeless people might need?

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Date
Help Homelessness
3. What will the homeless man's response be if Jaime and Karen offer direct help? What would be
another solution for getting this man help?
4. What items could kids donate to help homeless people get back and forth to a job?
5. What suggestion will Karen make to help feed the homeless? What kind of outreach programs
might be available in the girls' community?
6. What can kids get their parents or other adults to do to help the homeless?
7. What problems could Karen and Jaime face trying to help the homeless?
8. What can Karen and Jaime do at school to help the homeless?

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Help Homelessness
Use any of the ideas you wrote for the thinking questions to write an ending for this story. Be sure
to include some dialog in your ending. Always use complete sentences. When you have completed
it, proofread your story and make sure you have used correct punctuation. Write your creative story
ending for Help Homelessness on these two blank pages.

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Date
Help Homelessness

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Water, Water, Everywhere
By Phyllis Naegeli
Today's headline reads: "Water Shortage -
Please Conserve." What's all the fuss about?
Isn't water a renewable resource? That
would mean we can use as much as we
want. But wait a minute. It's true that water
is renewable. The water cycle shows us that.
However, we need the right kind of water in
the right places all the time. That just
doesn't happen. Why? Let's see how all this
works.
The water cycle is constantly moving
water. The sun evaporates water into the air
from lakes and oceans. As the air is saturated and cooled, clouds form.
Then the water falls to the ground as rain or snow. The water then
flows into the ground to the water table, into lakes, rivers, and
streams, and back to the ocean. Then the cycle starts again.
All living things need clean, fresh water to survive. You can go days
without food but not without water. If you don't get the water you
need, your body dehydrates. You can't live very long without water.
Ninety-seven percent of the water on Earth is in the ocean. The salt in
the ocean water makes it unusable for drinking. Another two percent
is frozen in the ice caps and glaciers on the Earth. This leaves one
percent of the water on Earth available for us to use. There are many
factors that affect the amount of water available for you. Where you
live, the amount of rain that falls, and how water is collected and
reserved all affect the amount of cool, clear water available.
One factor that we can't change is where it will rain. The amount of
rain an area receives affects the amount of water available for use.
Some major cities are located in areas where they can get water from
the ground. They dig wells to provide water for their citizens. Other
areas use surface water from lakes, rivers, or streams. They may build
dams to contain the water in a reservoir. Other places don't have water
readily available. These areas must pipe water in from far away. No
matter where we live, we must be careful with the water we have in
our part of the world.
According to a study done by the state of California, the average
person uses over one hundred gallons of water per day. Water is used
for drinking, taking a shower or bath, brushing teeth, washing hands,
cleaning dishes, doing laundry, and flushing toilets. Using water
wisely is important.
No matter where you live, there are many ways you can help
conserve water. Today, we have many helpful tools to help us save
water. There are low-flow shower heads and faucets, dishwashers and
washing machines that use up to 50% less water, and toilets that use
only one-third of the water that they did a few years ago. Installing
these items in your home is the first line of defense against wasting
water.
There are many other ways you can help. Don't leave the water
running when you brush your teeth. Take a shower rather than a bath.
When you wash your car, use a bucket rather than the hose. Better yet,
use a commercial car wash. It's fun, and they recycle the water. Water
your lawn with a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler. It's also important
to fix leaky faucets. If you find one, let your parents know. A good
way to have cool water available all the time is to keep a pitcher in the
fridge. This way you won't have to wait for the water in the pipes to
bring you colder water to drink. Only run your clothes washer and
dishwasher when they are full. This can save hundreds of gallons of
water a year. All of these will help to conserve water.
Water is an important natural resource. Learning to use it wisely will
ensure that it will always be available. So, make a fuss and conserve
water. It's worth it!
Water, Water, Everywhere
Questions
1. Water is a(n) ______ resource.
A. abundant
B. renewable
C. unusable
D. extinct

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2. Which of the following does NOT affect the amount of water
available for you each day?
A. the amount of rainfall
B. where you live
C. the way water is collected and reserved
D. the clothes you wear
3. What happens to your body when you don't have water to
drink?
A. nothing
B. It gets dehydrated.
C. It gets decorated.
D. It becomes healthier.
4. According to a study done by the state of California, how
many gallons of water does the average person use each day?
A. 1
B. 10
C. 1000
D. 100
5. Which of the following is not a good way to conserve water?
A. keeping a pitcher of water in the refrigerator
B. fixing leaky faucets
C. using a low-flow shower head
D. using a sprinkler to water your lawn
6. All large cities pipe their water in from far away.
A. false
B. true
7. The water in the ocean is good to drink.
A. true
B. false
8. When should you run your dishwasher and washing machine?
A. when it is raining
B. when they are half full
C. when they are full
D. none of the above
Explain the water cycle.

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Compute the water you use each day. Design a chart to keep track of
your water usage for a week. At the end of the week, compute your
average daily usage. Do you use more or less than the findings by the
state of California? What can you do to improve how you use water?

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Javed in Pakistan: A Problem with Illiteracy
By Jennifer Kenny
Caption: Students
outside their classroom in
the village of Bakote,
Pakistan.
There's a young student
named Javed in Pakistan.
The Islamic Republic of
Pakistan is a country in
Asia with over 175 million
people. It became an
independent country on
August 14, 1947. This Asian country is about two times the size of
California.
Javed and the other children in Pakistan do not have easy lives.
They face many challenges. Many of the children are poor and need
better healthcare. Many don't eat enough, and 30% are malnourished
because they can't get enough healthy foods. Many live on less than
$2 a day. Only about half the children can even get clean water to
drink. Some lack basic, safe household sanitation. However,
perhaps the biggest problem Javed and other children face is
schooling.
A good education has been known to change lives. A good
education can help someone get a job. A good education can help a
person make enough money to leave poverty behind. A job and
money can help a person obtain better healthcare. In Pakistan,
studies have indicated that increasing the amount of time a student
stays in school is associated with increasing the economy.
Unfortunately for the children, though, the education system in
Pakistan seems almost broken. Half of the people in Pakistan are
illiterate. That means they cannot read or write. Pakistan has one of
the lowest literacy rates in the entire world.
In Pakistan, it is the state's job to provide free primary education.
Primary school lasts for five years. School in Pakistan is not
compulsory; therefore, no one is forced to go to school. In fact,
according to UNICEF, only about half of those that could go to
school at the primary level actually do. The enrollment rate for boys
is higher than it is for girls. Less than half of those that even go
manage to finish five years of school. Of course, that all means that
the number of those who go on to secondary school or college is
very, very small. Only about 1/4 of secondary school-aged children
actually go to school. Only 3% attend institutes of higher education.
In the entire world, Pakistan ranks second for the number of kids
who aren't in school. That's about 6.5 million children out-of-school
according to UNESCO. Many of these poor, illiterate children are
exploited in child labor.
Pakistan's schools fail for many reasons. The government of
Pakistan spends very little on education. Class sizes can be as large
as 55 students with only one teacher. There are problems with
absentee rates among teachers. Almost 25% of public school
teachers are out each day. There are also some general problems
with the quality of some teachers who are placed in classrooms but
don't really wish to be teachers. In addition, many educational
resources are not readily available in the classrooms.
Recently, some non-profit organizations have tried to help with
the problem of illiteracy and the quality of education in Pakistan.
That's how Javed started to go to school living in a town called
Ittehad in southern Pakistan. These outreach schools hope to allow
boys like Javed and girls like his sisters to become literate, or able to
read and write. One group alone, UNICEF, provided school for
500,000 girls for the first time between 2005 and 2007. Javed's
parents hope the schools will help their children live better lives.
Javed's cousins faced a similar problem but for a different reason.
His cousins were affected by a huge earthquake (7.6 on the Richter
scale) on October 8, 2005. Seventy-three thousand people were
killed, 3.3 million lost their homes, and over 8,000 schools were
destroyed in those areas. Slowly, emergency organizations are
trying to rebuild. In the meantime, boys and girls are encouraged to
come to school when they are opened in their areas. This is a special
cultural change for girls, because in the past they were not always
encouraged to care about education. Javed's cousins will hopefully
learn to read and write one day, too.
Besides food, water, and healthcare, the hope is that reading and
writing will allow children to create better lives for themselves as
adults. Being illiterate is connected to poverty and

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underdevelopment as well as low life expectancy. Those who
attended school for at least a little while are more likely to send their
children to school than those who never went to school at all.
Studies by the World Bank show that education is the biggest
determinant in economic growth. In a country where boys on the
average go to school 3.8 years and girls only 1.3 years, more school
time might really make a difference in the quality of life.
Javed in Pakistan: A Problem with Illiteracy
Questions
1. Pakistan became an independent country in ______.
A. 1947
B. 1895
C. 1776
D. 1825
5. Pakistan is in ______.
A. Asia
B. Europe
C. Africa
D. North America
6. ______ of the people in Pakistan are illiterate.
A. 50%
B. 0%
C. 100%
D. 75%
7. Who is most likely to be in school in Pakistan?
A. a primary school boy
B. a college-aged woman
C. a college-aged man
D. a primary school girl
Do you agree that schools are as important as food and water to those
who were affected by the earthquake in Pakistan? Explain your
answer.
2. The population of Pakistan is around ______.
A. 60 million people
B. 16 million
C. 175 million people
D. 640 million people
3. What is a problem in Pakistan?
A. poverty
B. malnourished children
C. illiteracy
D. all of the above
4. Which word means the ability to read or write?
A. enrichment
B. literacy
C. fundamental
D. malnourishment

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Do you believe reading and writing can improve a person's life?

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Finish Javed's story.

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An Afghan Girl Goes to School
By Colleen Messina
Saida ran over to the man who
stood by her brother's grave. Her
dark hair whipped through the wind
even though her head was covered
with a bright red and white scarf.
Her sky-blue eyes brimmed over
with tears. She boldly pulled on the
man's shirt sleeve because she had
something important to say.
Saida said, "I don't have any more
brothers. I want to go to school."
The man looked down at the
12-year-old girl. He was building a school close by. He knew that
education was the key to rebuilding Afghanistan. And right in front of
him, Saida's hopeful face showed her intense desire for an education.
Saida got her wish and was able to go to school. It helped her forget
the sadness of her past. Today, her country is dotted with red, green,
and yellow flags flying over grave sites. Saida's brother's grave is
marked only with a small stone. Saida still cries when she thinks
about him. He was killed by a land mine while he was herding the
family's goats. Saida also lost two other brothers who died of typhoid.
Saida's desire to go to school was greater than her fear of talking to
the American man who visited her brother's grave, and now she is
happy that she did.
A school might not seem like a big deal. But in Afghanistan, it is a
major achievement. Afghanistan's history was full of conflict. In
1996, a group called the Taliban took over Afghanistan. They were in
power until 2001. During that time, life was difficult for people in
Afghanistan, especially the women. Women were not allowed to
work, and they couldn't leave their homes without a male escort. They
had to cover themselves from head to toe. The Taliban did not want
girls to receive an education. People who allowed girls to go to school
faced severe consequences or even death.
Many girls like Saida want to learn. They want to become doctors,
engineers, and teachers. While the Taliban was in power, only
800,000 children went to school. Today, almost 5 million children,
including Saida, have this opportunity. Other countries including the
United States are helping Afghanistan's villages build schools in order
to educate their children.
Saida's school is in a village called Lalander. The small school
building is painted bright blue. It has six classrooms and one office.
The children can play on the small playground, which has a swing set.
It even has a well for drinking water. When Saida plays on the swings,
she sees jagged mountains in all directions. She also sees bullet holes
in the walls from past attacks of the Taliban. Saida feels safe now
because police always guard the school.
Afghanistan is a little smaller than the state of Texas. It has an area of
251,737 square miles. Afghanistan has rugged mountains as well as
vast, flat plains. The land seems barren, but Afghanistan has many
natural resources. The country has natural gas, petroleum, copper,
coal, talc, lead, zinc, and salt. Its hills contain precious and
semiprecious stones.
The people of Afghanistan do not have an easy life. Afghanistan is
one of the poorest countries in the world because of years of political
problems. Agriculture is the primary occupation in spite of the other
many natural resources. The average Afghan lives only 43 years, and
only 36% of the population can read and write. Many villages do not
have electricity or running water.
In spite of their poor circumstances, Afghans love their close
families, and sharing food is an important custom. Even unexpected
guests are fed well. Saida's family might serve chapli kabobs, which
are made with beef or lamb with green onions, bell peppers, and hot
chili peppers seasoned with garlic and cumin. Dessert might be sheer
yakh, or Afghan ice cream, which is vanilla ice cream, sprinkled with
rose water and chopped pistachios. Afghan cooks don't usually use
precise measurements in their recipes, but the food usually tastes
great. Saida's family might say to their guests, "Nosh-e-Jaan" which
means "good eating." And now, Saida has another place besides her
home where she feels happy: her school.
Saida loves her new school. She watches laughing boys play soccer
against the grim backdrop of the ruins of a government building. Even
though the children have experienced hard times, they smile under the
blue sky. Their hearts feel grateful. As their national anthem says
about Afghanistan: "This land will shine forever...like the sun in the

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blue sky...it will remain as the heart forever."
An Afghan Girl Goes to School
Questions
1. Which group took over Afghanistan in 1996?
A. the Taliban
B. the United Nations
C. the PTA
D. the Audubon Society
2. Which state is approximately the size of Afghanistan?
A. New Jersey
B. Alaska
C. Texas
D. California
6. What is sheer yakh?
A. a cookie
B. a carbonated drink
C. ice cream
D. a meat kabob
7. What percentage of the Afghan population can read and write?
A. 36%
B. 100%
C. 56%
D. 10%
8. What is another term for someone who can read and write?
A. literate
B. smart
C. writalot
D. readalittle
Imagine that you were told that all the schools in your area were
closing. What would you do all day? Describe a normal day if you did
not go to school.
3. What killed Saida's brother?
A. typhoid
B. a land mine
C. chicken pox
D. starvation
4. What color is Saida's school?
A. yellow
B. red
C. green
D. blue
5. More girls are now receiving education.
A. True
B. False

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Pretend that you are moving to Afghanistan and will open a store in
the Afghan Mall. Saida lives near your new store. What would you
sell? What do you think that Saida would like to buy from you?

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Write a letter to Saida and ask her at least five new questions about
her school. Ask her about things that were not mentioned in the
article. Include a description about these areas in your own school.

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An African Girl Drinks Clean, Fresh Water
By Colleen Messina
"It's good!" cried Teesha with a smile. The
clean, fresh water sparkled in her cup. It
tasted so sweet and cold. She had never had a
cup of water like it before. Now she
understood why her mother liked an old
African saying that stressed the importance of
water. It went like this: "Khoto, Pula, Nala!"
It means "Peace, Rain, Prosperity!"
Ten-year-old Teesha used to collect water
from the murky stream in the ditch near her
home. The brown water had a funny smell,
but her family had no choice. In Uke, Nigeria,
there was no clear, running water. Even though her name means
"alive and well" in Swahili, Teesha often felt sick because of the
contaminated water.
Many women and children in Africa walk for miles each day over
rough ground to collect water in dirty pails. They use water from
streams, rivers, and lakes for cooking, taking baths, and washing
clothes. Contaminated water causes diseases, such as typhus, cholera,
dysentery, and malaria. Teesha's six-year-old brother had died last
year from cholera, and her mother cried for months. She cried again
with relief when she heard that her village was getting a well. At last,
their water would be safe.
Teesha's village was fortunate to get a new well. First, technicians
figured out the best place to drill. Large, modern equipment drilled the
new well. Soon, thousands of villagers had fresh water to drink for the
first time in 14 years. The technicians taught the villagers how to
maintain the water system. They taught Teesha's family how to
transport and store the water so that it stays fresh. They taught
Teesha's mother how to use different bowls of water for cleaning
vegetables and feeding livestock. These things will help keep Teesha's
family healthy.
ceremony for the new well. He said, "What we never thought or
dreamt of, we have now." Teesha clapped. The villagers cheered.
Clean, fresh water was a great gift for the village. Many villages in
Nigeria need wells to provide good water sources for their people. In
Nigeria, even the basic necessities of life are appreciated very much.
Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It is about one-third larger than
the state of Texas. It is the most populated country in Africa. The
Niger River and its tributaries go across much of the country. The
southern part of the country has a tropical rainforest climate. The
north has a dry, desert-like climate with less than twenty inches of
rain a year. Drought has been a problem for many years. Nigeria has a
great deal of petroleum, coal, and tin, but most Nigerians work in
agriculture. They export palm oil, cocoa, coconuts, citrus fruits, and
sugar cane.
Nigerians, like others who live in third world countries, have poor
living conditions. Teesha's life expectancy is only 47 years, and one
of the reasons is the lack of potable water and sanitation. In spite of
poor conditions, Nigerians have a rich legacy of culture, especially in
music. Nigerian music is called the "heart of African music." It is
influenced by the over 400 ethnic groups around the country. Each
group has its own instruments and musical traditions. Nigerian music
includes juju, highlife, fuji, afrobeat, apala, gospel, jazz, and many
others.
Nigerians face many challenges to have basic necessities in their
lives. However, as more and more villages receive new wells, at least
clean water will be available to children like Teesha. Then, she can
say "Khoto, Pula, Nala" with a smile on her face and a cup of clean,
fresh water in her hand.
An African Girl Drinks Clean, Fresh Water
Questions
1. Which disease is NOT caused by contaminated water?
A. cholera
B. dysentery
C. malaria
D. chicken pox
Chief Kalledi of Teesha's village gave a speech at the dedication

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2. Where did Teesha get water before their village had a well?
A. from a neighboring village well
B. from a waterfall
C. from a stream
D. from a lake
3. What does the name Teesha mean?
A. happiness
B. peace, rain, and prosperity
C. one who likes water
D. alive and well
4. Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa.
A. True
B. False
5. How long had Teesha's village waited for fresh water?
A. 24 years
B. 400 years
C. 14 years
D. 4 years
6. Which element of Nigerian culture was discussed in the
article?
A. dance
B. art
C. literature
D. music
7. Which river flows through much of Nigeria?
A. Mississippi River
B. Niger River
C. Nile River
D. Ganges River
8. What is the correct translation for "Khola, Pula, Nala!"?
A. Peace, Plumbing, Credit Cards
B. Peace, Wells, Money
C. Peace, Rain, Prosperity
D. Peace, Straws, Dimes
Imagine that your water was turned off for one day. Write a diary
entry about what your day was like without water.

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The saying "Peace, Rain, Prosperity!" was discussed in the article.
Write a paragraph about each of these things and how they
contribute to meaningful life in Africa. Which of these three do you
think is the most important? Why?

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Life in China's Cancer Villages
By Colleen Messina
Caption: Xiangfan, China: A man walks beside a polluted creek
near a chemical factory.
Liang is an old man. He has wrinkly skin and laughing black eyes.
Even though his expression is calm, Liang feels sad because his village
has changed so much. The 77-year-old man misses the clear water of
the river and the fresh air he used to breathe. Liang lives in a small
village in China. He believes that pollution gave him lung cancer.
Liang has a rickety house along the once-sparkling river. Today, the
water is greenish-brown. The water does not smell good. It does not
flow freely. Liang believes that he got lung cancer because he drinks
contaminated water. The air is also full of chemicals. Both kinds of pollution come from chemical factories that
came to the village two decades ago. The factories brought jobs to the villages. They also brought sickness and
sadness. Now Liang says, "I just hope I can die sooner. I gave my life to the Communist Party, yet I have nothing
to leave to my own children."
Other villagers are also sick. Over 200 people have been diagnosed with lung, bone, liver, and breast cancer.
The children also have a higher rate of leukemia than normal. Leukemia is a blood cancer. Some villagers were
able to move away, but many families cannot afford it. This village and others like it have been nicknamed
"cancer villages" by people in the media. More and more villages have faced these challenges in the last 25 years.
One report said that the water from the factories has high levels of bacteria and fluoride. The factories also
produce a cancer-causing chemical called hydroxybenzene. The levels of these substances exceed government
recommendations for safety. However, even though the government forced some factories to close, they still
operate secretly. Some people try to sue the factories. No court will accept the cases. The people in the villages
feel trapped and helpless.
People first became sick in these villages in the 1990s. At first, no one understood what was happening. The
villagers watched their water become smelly and murky. They didn't know why it was happening. They didn't
understand how dangerous the contaminated water was. They could not afford to buy bottled water. Finally, they
learned about the harmful chemicals in their water from newspapers and television. They finally understood that
the waste from the factories was making them sick. However, for many Chinese villagers, it was too late. Many of
them, like Liang, were dying.
Liang loves his country, but he knows that many Chinese people suffer from poverty and sickness. China is a
large, crowded country. Over 500 million people live in China. The cities are expanding quickly. The rural areas
are also growing and changing, just like Liang's village. Because China covers so many square miles, it has many
kinds of geography and different climates.
Western China has plateaus and mountainous areas. Several rivers flow from west to east. Eastern China has
grassy plains. Grasslands also cover the north, and more mountains are in the south. Temperatures are also very
different in various parts of China. Many people in China are farmers. They do not have much money, and
droughts in recent years have created dust storms and erosion. Even though the factories were supposed to help
the Chinese people, especially in rural areas, to have a better life, things have gotten much worse. The pollution
has destroyed the environment and the health of the people. Liang says, "Before you were poor, but you had
health. And health surely is the most precious thing."
Another precious thing to the Chinese people is their ancient culture. China is full of treasures. Lofty
mountains shelter beautiful old temples. Adorable pandas hide in green bamboo. China mastered art, literature,
and music before America was even discovered by the Europeans. Liang knows that there are many good things
in his heritage. He hopes that China can overcome its problems and preserve its refined beauty. At least, he hopes

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that the water and air can become fresh and clean again.
Refinement is also evident in relationships in China. One of the most important concepts is the idea of "saving
face." This means that no one embarrasses another person or points out mistakes in front of others. People are
sensitive to how their actions make other people feel. "Face" is the desire to not look bad in the eyes of other
people. A recent survey of people in China said that 87% of the public believe that the idea of "saving face" is
very important in their lives.
Saving face is important, but it still does not solve problems like the pollution in Liang's village. Perhaps a
solution can be found soon. This will certainly "save face" for those who put factories in the villages, and it will
also save the lives of people like Liang.
Life in China's Cancer Villages
Questions
1. Where did the pollution come from in Liang's village?
A. farms
B. stores
C. fast food restaurants
D. chemical factories
2. Which kinds of pollution affected Liang?
A. radioactive and soil
B. air and water
C. land and trash
D. noise and light
3. What kind of government is in China?
A. monarchy
B. socialism
C. democracy
D. communism
4. Approximately how many people live in China?
A. 250 million
B. 500 million
C. 150 million
D. 50 million
5. When did people start getting sick from the toxic factories in China?
A. the 1960s
B. the 1970s
C. the 1980s
D. the 1990s
6. Many children are getting leukemia in China.
A. True
B. False

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7. What does leukemia affect?
A. the heart
B. the blood
C. the brain
D. the lungs
8. What kind of animal is mentioned in the article?
A. pandas
B. dogs
C. cows
D. cats
Liang feels bad about the changes in his village. Pretend that you are Liang. Write a formal letter to his
children. Describe how you think that the village might have been before the factories came there. Also describe
how Liang feels about the changes in his village.
Describe a situation where you find out that one of your friends has made a big mistake. What would you do to
help your friend "save face"? Do you think that this concept could help people in western countries too?

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A Girl from Uganda Fights HIV
By Colleen Messina
Annabelle felt sad and nervous as she waited for her test results. She felt much more scared than you do when you
wait for the results of a test in one of your classes at school. Annabelle was finding out whether she tested positive
for HIV.
Annabelle is only 11 years old, but she has faced many challenges. She became an orphan when she lost both of
her parents to AIDS. Unfortunately, she tested positive for HIV. Annabelle learned that she got the virus when her
mother breastfed her. This is called perinatal transmission. Even though there was a drug that could have prevented
the virus from infecting Annabelle, her mother did not receive the medicine. Annabelle is receiving treatment for
her illness, but her condition does not have a cure.
Annabelle is not alone in Uganda. Thousands of children there are infected with HIV. Approximately 110,000
children in her country are living with HIV/AIDS. Many are not receiving proper treatment for their condition.
People with HIV often do not have symptoms for many years, but at some point, symptoms do appear. They might
lose weight. They might have a dry cough or a fever. They have spots on their tongues and in their mouths and
throats. It might seem like the person has the flu. During this stage of the disease, they will test positive for the
HIV virus.
After living with the HIV for a period of time, the person develops AIDS. AIDS is caused by the HIV virus. AIDS
stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. There is no cure for HIV or AIDS. The virus destroys a cell in
the body that is important for defense. The HIV virus infects the immune system and the vital organs of those who
contract it.
After enough of these cells are destroyed, the person develops full-blown AIDS. The person's body can no longer
fight infectious diseases. About half of the people who have HIV develop AIDS within ten years. During this stage,
the person's immune system breaks down. Glands in the person's neck and armpits may swell. The person becomes
vulnerable to many infections.
Many children with AIDS live in Sub-Saharan Africa in countries like Uganda. Uganda is about twice the size of
Pennsylvania. It is completely surrounded by land, but it does have several large lakes. Many people make a living
through agriculture because of Uganda's tropical climate. They are able to farm because of the fertile soil and
regular rainfall through out the year. Uganda also has many mineral resources, such as copper and cobalt, as well
as reserves of natural gas and oil. The people of Uganda are working hard to help children like Annabelle who are
sick.
Annabelle has a new reason to have hope. A family in the United States wants to adopt Annabelle. They know that
she is HIV-positive, but they want to help her anyway. Soon, she will fly to her new country and her new family.
They have learned how to help her deal with her disease. They will give Annabelle medication two times a day.
They will take her to a doctor for checkups about four times a year. The only time they will have to be especially
careful is if Annabelle cuts herself because the virus is transmitted through body fluids like blood. Then, they will
wear rubber gloves for protection. Annabelle will eat a healthy diet to support her immune system.
Annabelle's new family wants to help her remember her culture. Ugandans have a rich culture. Its history goes
back for hundreds of years. The country has many different tribes, and each tribe has its own traditions. Each tribe
has its own distinctive dances and music. Almost every tribe uses drums in its music and rituals. Annabelle will
always remember the sounds of drums during tribal ceremonies. The drums were made from animal skins from
goats and cows. Annabelle will take a drum from her tribe to her new home in America.
Annabelle is lucky. Many children with HIV still struggle in Uganda. But for Annabelle, her biggest worry may be
her test scores at her new school in the United States.

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A Girl from Uganda Fights HIV
Questions
1. What is Annabelle waiting for at the beginning of the article?
A. a test for HIV
B. a test result in her class
C. her mother to pick her up at school
D. a school bus
2. Where is the country of Uganda located?
A. in Europe
B. in Asia
C. in South America
D. in Africa
3. HIV symptoms sometimes do not show up for years.
A. True
B. False
4. What is one way that the HIV virus is transmitted?
A. through the air
B. through body fluids like blood
C. through hand contact
D. no one knows
5. What is the term for someone who has lost both of his or her parents?
A. a farmer
B. an immigrant
C. a Republican
D. an orphan
6. Where is Annabelle's new family?
A. Uganda
B. the United States
C. Ethiopia
D. Great Britain
7. Why is it important that Annabelle eats a good diet?
A. to support her immune system
B. to keep from getting bored
C. to save money
D. to help her play sports
8. Which of the following is an antonym for the word "distinctive" in paragraph 8?
A. common
B. special
C. unique
D. extraordinary

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Write a letter to Annabelle and give her some points on taking school exams. Describe two things that help you
do well on tests in school. Tell her what your favorite subject is, and ask her something about the same subject
at her school.
Pretend that you are helping Annabelle pack a suitcase to go to the United States. Write a description of five
items that she would bring with her to her new home. Include at least 2 items that would help remind her of her
culture in Africa.

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A Guatemalan Girl Gets Enough to Eat
By Colleen Messina
Eight-year-old Mirtala patted the earth around the base of the tree she planted. She looked at her thumb to see if it
was green yet. Her mother told her that having a green thumb would help their family. Mirtala liked planting trees.
The green leaves tickled her chin and made Mirtala laugh with joy. The work she did helped her family with some
big challenges.
Mirtala's family started to have problems last year when her father became sick. He went to the hospital in a city
far from their small village in Guatemala. Her mother washed clothes for her neighbors to earn money for food, but
it wasn't enough. Her mother said, "I told God to please help me because my husband is sick in the hospital and my
children are hungry." Mirtala's mother was very worried about her family. After all, she had twelve children to
feed.
One day, some visitors came to the village with a new idea. The area needed new trees so the soil would not wash
away. The project was called "reforestation." The people in charge of reforestation needed workers to plant the
trees. Mirtala's family needed food and work until her father was well. So, that is how Mirtala's family got their
new jobs and a steady supply of delicious food. In exchange for their work, her family receives rice, beans, corn,
sardines, oil, and medicine. Mirtala is grateful because she remembers many nights when she went to bed hungry.
The workers planted over 5,000 trees. The job did not seem like work to Mirtala. She liked to work in the rich,
black soil. It was fun to get her hands dirty. Even Mirtala's mother liked planting trees. It helped her feel better
about her husband. Her family had food. The children were healthier. Their stomachs don't growl at night anymore.
Soon, Mirtala's father will come home from the hospital. Then, when he is strong enough, he will help plant trees,
too.
Many children in Latin America and around the world do not have enough to eat. Approximately 854 million
people are hungry. About 10 million children under the age of 5 die every year because of problems caused by lack
of food. Hungry children have other problems besides a gnawing, empty feeling in their stomachs. They feel tired.
They get sick easily. Even when they do get more to eat, they may have more health problems later. The lack of
proper vitamins and minerals affects their growth in many ways. They may have more health problems for the rest
of their lives. Hungry children would be overjoyed to have someone tell them to eat their veggies!
Hunger is a big problem in Mirtala's country of Guatemala. About 57 percent of the people are poor. Over half of
the children who are under five are malnourished. Their bodies are starving for the proper nutrition. Even though it
is a small country, Guatemala has the highest level of malnutrition in children of any country in Latin America.
Guatemala is only the size of Tennessee, and it has had lots of challenges because of its location and geography. It
is mountainous except for its southern coast that borders the Pacific Ocean. The mountains are cold and dry. The
lowlands are tropical with hot, humid climates. The country exports coffee and bananas. The country's economy
has been affected by many natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes. These disasters have been very hard
on the economy and the people of Guatemala. In 2005, Hurricane Stan killed more than 1,500 people. Most deaths
were caused by the flooding and mudslides from the storm.
The Guatemalan people have learned to live with these challenges throughout their long history. Many
Guatemalan citizens descended from the Mayan peoples. The ancient Mayan civilization flourished there until the
Spanish took over in 1523. Later, Guatemala gained its independence. Guatemala has had a great deal of political
problems. This instability has made it more difficult for the country to solve its problems.
In spite of recent turmoil, the people of Guatemala honor their Mayan roots. The ancient Mayans were brilliant
and powerful. They thrived for over three thousand years and were amazing architects. The Mayans were
responsible for many unique architectural ruins. Tourists go to Guatemala to see magnificent palaces and pyramids.
Mayan culture also includes exotic, hand-embroidered clothing. The tunics, capes, and skirts are colorful. Each
village has its own designs and details. The emblems on the clothing have religious and magical meaning. Mirtala's
family wears their colorful clothing with pride.

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Guatemala is an alluring country with a rich culture and history. Its nickname is the "country of eternal spring." Its
people are hoping for more ideas to help them feed their families. Mirtala will look forward to spring again next
year. The trees that she planted will be bigger. And maybe next year her thumb will really turn green.
A Guatemalan Girl Gets Enough to Eat
Questions
1. What state is the size is of Guatemala?
A. California
B. Alaska
C. Texas
D. Tennessee
2. What was Mirtala planting in the beginning of the article?
A. a tree
B. a shrub
C. a bulb
D. a flower
3. More than half the population of Guatemala is poor.
A. False
B. True
4. How many children were in Mirtala's family?
A. six
B. twelve
C. eight
D. two
5. Which culture existed long ago in Guatemala?
A. Egyptian
B. Mayan
C. Greek
D. none of the above
6. What is the name of the project that was happening in Mirtala's village?
A. reforestation
B. woodestation
C. treeifying
D. aeration
7. Which natural disasters were mentioned in the article?
A. earthquakes and hurricanes
B. volcanoes and earthquakes
C. plague and sickness
D. typhoons and tornadoes

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8. What is one item that Guatemala exports?
A. rice
B. wheat
C. grapes
D. coffee
Write a silly short story about a person in a village whose thumb turned green. Be sure to use adjectives that
describe all five senses in your story so that it seems lively and real.
If your family did not have enough to eat, how would this affect your daily life? If you had to grow a garden to
have more food to eat, what kinds of fruits and vegetables would you plant that would grow well in the area
where you live?

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Homelessness in America
By Colleen Messina
Looking at this picture of Liz Murray, you see a bright-eyed girl
with a dazzling smile and sleek, dark hair. You would never guess
that her life story would be the subject of a TV movie called
Homeless to Harvard. Liz's tremendous accomplishment is unusual,
but she believes that everyone can overcome challenges. She hopes
that her story will make people more aware of the problem of
homelessness in America.
Liz was born in the Bronx, New York. Her parents both used
drugs. They were poor, and both of her parents had HIV. Sometimes,
her mother bought drugs instead of food for her children. Liz began
supporting them when she was 10 years old. Her mother was blind,
too. She died when Liz was just 15. Her father moved to a homeless
shelter, and Liz took to the streets.
Liz faced a big decision. She could follow in her mother's
footsteps, or she could follow her dreams. What do you think you
might do if you were homeless at age 15? Liz did not give up. She
spent time at friends' houses, often sleeping on their couches at odd
times of day. She sometimes slept on a bus at night. She had one
good friend to help her through these hard times, but both girls
suffered from difficult circumstances. Liz wanted a change. She
decided that education was the key to her future success.
Liz finally went to a school in Greenwich Village called the
Humanities Preparatory School. She started high school much later
than most students, but she never gave up. She had a wonderful
teacher and mentor who helped her work hard and achieve excellent
grades. With her fire and determination, Liz graduated from high
school in 2 years. Her grades were so good that she won a New York
Times scholarship. Soon after that, Liz was accepted into Harvard
University.
Today, Liz is a polished young woman who gives inspirational
speeches about her experiences. She is humble about the amazing
feats she has accomplished. In addition to the movie about her life,
Liz also has written a book. She plans on completing her college
education. But most importantly, Liz wants to help others reach their
true potential.
Liz still mourns the loss of her home and family. She understands
the problems that homeless people face. She knows that people
become homeless for many reasons. Sometimes, they lose their jobs
and can't pay for their homes. Sometimes, unexpected medical bills
put a family's budget in turmoil. Others have problems with drugs or
alcohol that makes it impossible for them to keep their jobs. Many
good, hardworking people end up losing their homes by
circumstances beyond their control.
According to the 1994 Homeless Assistance Act, homelessness is
defined as a person who "lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate
night-time residence." Some organizations estimate that nearly 3.5
million people experienced homelessness in 2007 and that 39% of
them are children. While it is hard to track and record the actual
numbers of homeless people, millions of men, women, and children
face this challenge each year.
Homelessness is harder on children than anyone else. They face
traumatic events each day and uncertainty in every area of their lives.
They get sick twice as much as children in regular homes. They have
more infections and stomach problems than children in stable homes.
They don't get enough to eat. These children also have emotional
problems. Imagine how you would feel if you didn't know where you
would sleep each night or that your family would be torn apart at any
moment. This kind of stress makes homeless children lose hope that
their lives will improve.
There are some things that you can do to help homeless people.
Many communities have homeless shelters that accept donations of
food or money. You can also collect warm clothes and give them to
the shelter. The most important thing you can do for a homeless
person is to treat them with respect because many of them are
homeless because of unexpected circumstances. Liz Murray
remembers how small acts of kindness made an enormous difference
for her. The teacher who believed in her helped her change her life.
Not every person can be like Liz Murray, but she hopes that her
example will inspire others to help the homeless people in America.
Liz believes that the most important part of her message is that each
individual can decide what to do with his or her life. She says, "The
main message is that your life is what you make it. And no matter
how many things are thrown in front of you, there is always a way to
get past them so long as you recognize the power that you have."

Name
Homelessness in America
Questions
1. Which university did Liz Murray attend?
A. MIT
B. UCLA
C. Columbia
D. Harvard
2. How old was Liz when she became homeless?
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 5
3. How many year(s) did it take Liz to complete high school?
A. five
B. one
C. four
D. two
4. What is one estimate of the number of homeless people in
America?
A. 1 million
B. 4 million
C. 3 million
D. 3.5 million
6. When was the Homeless Assistance Act passed?
A. 1990
B. 1984
C. 2004
D. 1994
7. Which segment of the population is harmed more than anyone
else by homelessness?
A. women
B. children
C. men
D. pets
8. Which of the following is an antonym for the word "turmoil"
in paragraph 6?
A. chaos
B. turbulence
C. unrest
D. order
Write an advertisement for a newspaper about the things that a
homeless shelter needs for its residents. You can also draw a colorful
picture as part of the ad. Use words and descriptions that will inspire
the newspaper readers to really want to help the homeless shelter.
You could also include a personal story of a homeless person in your
ad.
5. Some people are homeless because of unexpected
circumstances.
A. False
B. True

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Write a letter to Liz Murray and tell her how you feel about her life.
Does her life inspire you? Do you admire her? How has learning
about her story changed you?

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Don't Bathe in the Holy River, Bapu!
By Colleen Messina
Caption: People drinking water from the river Ganges during a
ceremony in 2005.
Ramu and his grandfather picked their way down the hard wet steps.
The swirling river water awaited them. Ramu usually looked forward
to visiting the river. But today Ramu was worried. His grandfather,
who was growing more forgetful as his hair turned whiter, may have
forgotten his mother's message.
"Remember, no more bathing in the river, Bapu!" she called after
them as they left their tiny house. Bapu was her loving nickname for
her father. Ramu also called the old man Bapu.
Ramu knew that his mother had heard that their dazzling holy river, the Ganges, was more polluted than ever. The
river that Indians thought could purify sin was very dirty now. Ramu's grandfather, like many Hindus, loved to
bathe in its waters. He stepped down the concrete steps each day to visit the Ganges. He thought of the river as a
goddess.
"Why do you think that the Ganges River is a goddess, Bapu?" Ramu had asked one day as they dangled their
brown legs into the brown water.
Even though their legs were both brown, they looked very different. One pair was spindly, wiry, and wrinkled.
The other pair was chubby, smooth, and dimpled. Can you guess which legs belonged to 10-year-old Ramu?
"In an ancient Indian myth, the Ganges River used to be in heaven," said the old man. "A king here on Earth
needed help. His relatives had perished in a fire. He wanted the river to purify their ashes. Then his loved ones
could get to heaven. The river came down and helped the king's relatives."
"So that is why people scatter ashes on the water?" asked Ramu. He had seen this custom done many times.
"Yes, our river is important to our faith and our culture," said Bapu. He grinned, and his crinkly laugh lines got
deeper around his dark eyes. Ramu loved his grandfather's smiling eyes!
The two looked over the water. The sun sparkled across its brown rippling expanse. Ramu could see trash
floating in the distance. The water did not look clean. This made him sad. It made Bapu sad, too.
The old man looked with longing at the water. He started to put his foot down, but Ramu stopped him.
"Bapu, remember what Mama said," Ramu said as he tugged on his grandpa's arm.
"Yes, I know. I can't bathe in the water anymore. This makes me so unhappy. I have dipped into this sacred
water for decades. Now, factories dump waste into my river. Farmers use pesticides that get into my river. DDT is
poison to my river!" said Bapu. He brushed his hand over his eyes. DDT can cause cancer.
"It's OK, Bapu, this river will get better. The Indian government is helping. They are building water treatment
plants. These will make the water clean," exclaimed Ramu. His eyes were shining. He had hope for the beautiful
Ganges.
Ramu thought of the water's long journey. It started in an icy cave. The cave was in the Himalaya Mountains.
It flowed through scruffy mountain vegetation. At lower elevations, it reached forests. It danced through cow
pastures. Those lucky cows! People in India worshipped them! The river finally ended up in the Bay of Bengal of
the Indian Ocean. Millions of people benefited from the once-lovely Ganges River!

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Ramu put his hand on his grandfather's arm. He had a wonderful idea. Maybe he could help the river when he
grew up! Maybe he could be a scientist and invent new ways to purify water. Maybe he could help people
understand how harmful the pollution is. It doesn't just make rivers dirty. It makes people like his Bapu very sad
indeed.
"Let's go home, Bapu," said Ramu. "And don't worry about the river. When I grow up, I want to figure out
how to keep our rivers in India clean and sparkling, and then you can bathe in the Ganges all you want!"
Don't Bathe in the Holy River, Bapu!
Questions
1. According to Hindu legends, where did the Ganges used to be?
A. in heaven
B. in a cave
C. in the ocean
D. none of the above
2. Who needed the river's help in the Indian myth?
A. a child
B. a queen
C. a king
D. a president
3. Who told Bapu not to go into the river anymore?
A. his teacher
B. his father
C. Ramu's mother
D. the Indian government
4. What do farmers use that gets into the water that is poisonous?
A. MSG
B. DPT
C. FBI
D. DDT
5. Which ocean does the Ganges River end up in?
A. the Indian Ocean
B. the Black Sea
C. the Atlantic Ocean
D. the Pacific Ocean
6. How old was Ramu in the story?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 15
D. 5

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7. The pig is thought of as a sacred animal in India.
A. True
B. False
8. How many people benefited from the Ganges River?
A. 80,000
B. 1,000
C. millions
D. trillions
Ramu had fun with his grandfather. Describe one experience that you have had with one of your grandparents
or another special relative.
If you were in charge of the rivers in India, what would you do to make sure the rivers were kept clean? Would
you pass laws? Would you educate people about pollution?