"Most of my friends were travelling the world during their summer holiday, but I wanted to do something worthwhile; I wanted to volunteer, but where and how? At the age of 20, I…
"Most of my friends were travelling the world during their summer holiday, but I wanted to do something worthwhile; I wanted to volunteer, but where and how? At the age of 20, I would say I'd had a privileged childhood. My parents had put me through school, fed and clothed me, and given me plenty of love and affection. So, after reading about the favelas, the slums of Brazil, where thousands of street children live in appalling poverty and often don't even reach the age of 18, I decided that I'd spend part of my summer helping these children in whatever way I could. I set off for Rio de Janeiro where I would join a volunteer group that taught basic skills such as hygiene, literacy, English, and business skills in a makeshift school in the heart of the favelas. The residents of these slums, which stretch up the hillsides around and away from the wealthier city centre, make up about one fifth of the population of Rio de Janeiro. The poverty leads to many broken homes and, if they experience violence at home or their families can't look after them anymore, children end up on the streets. Those who can't survive by begging, selling newspapers, or shining shoes, often turn to crime to survive. I was going to work in a school which gave those kids a basic education. My first day at school was really nerve-racking. I'd never taught before, I only knew a few words of Portuguese and I just didn't know what to expect. The ten children who turned up to my first English lesson were really friendly and eager to learn. They only got one meal a day of just rice and beans and at night they slept under bridges and in doorways, but these children saw learning English as a possible way out of their lives of danger and destitution. As days went by, I got used to the place. The roof of the little during their vorthwhile; he age of 'parents d given ut the street even my shack leaked when it rained and there wasn't a schedule or textbooks; still, the kids trusted me and some of them made a lot of progress. During break times, we headed out into the tiny yard to kick a ball around and I found out why Brazilians have a reputation as the best football players! Then we cooked and ate together, but at the end of the day when they left to go back ... where? ... I often wondered whether I would ever see them again. The host family that I stayed with was marvellous. They adopted me as an unofficial "Carioca", ', which is the name for someone who was born and lives in Rio de Janeiro. It was the school, though, that made my time in Brazil truly special. Even though I was the teacher, the street children taught me a lot more. I learnt that no matter how bad conditions are, there is always hope for the future. My time in Brazil was eye-opening. If I hadn't gone, I would have missed out on the experience of a lifetime. If I could do it all again, I'd jump on a plane right now!" Ответить на вопросы по тексту Where was Mitch? How does ne call his experiences? Why do think he called it in this way? How did his friends travel? how does his approach differ from his friends' travels? What did he say about his childhood? How did he decide to volunteer? What are favelas? What was result of reading about favelas? What was his decision? Where did he set off? What would he do there? (What could he learn there?) What did he say about residents of the slums? Why do children end up on the streets? How do children survive in such bad conditionals? Why was his first day nerve-racking? How did he tell about street children and their daily tasks? (Sleep, meal) What are the living conditionals? What was children's attitude to him? How do you think why? What were they doing during the breaks? How did host family treat him? Was it marvellous experience for him? Why? Would you like to try to teach street children? Why?
Here are the answers to your questions based on the provided text:
Where was Mitch? How does he call his experiences?
- Mitch was in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and he describes his experiences as "truly special" and "an experience of a lifetime."
Why do you think he called it in this way?
- He likely called it this way because his time volunteering with the street children in the favelas was transformative, educational, and eye-opening. It provided him with a unique perspective on life and the resilience of those living in poverty.
How did his friends travel? How does his approach differ from his friends' travels?
- His friends traveled the world for leisure during their summer holiday, while he chose to volunteer and engage in meaningful work, helping disadvantaged street children instead of seeking typical vacation experiences.
What did he say about his childhood?
- Mitch mentioned that he had a privileged childhood, as his parents provided him with education, food, clothing, love, and affection.
How did he decide to volunteer? What are favelas?
- He decided to volunteer after reading about favelas, which are impoverished slums in Brazil where thousands of street children live in dire conditions.
What was the result of reading about favelas? What was his decision?
- After reading about the favelas, he felt compelled to help and made the decision to spend part of his summer volunteering to assist the children living there.
Where did he set off? What would he do there? (What could he learn there?)
- He set off for Rio de Janeiro, where he would join a volunteer group teaching basic skills such as hygiene, literacy, English, and business skills. He learned about resilience, hope, and the lives of the street children.
What did he say about the residents of the slums?
- He described the residents of the favelas as living in appalling poverty, with many children ending up on the streets due to broken homes and violence.
Why do children end up on the streets?
- Children often end up on the streets due to factors like broken homes, domestic violence, or families being unable to care for them.
How do children survive in such bad conditions?
- Children survive by begging, selling newspapers, shining shoes, or, in some cases, turning to crime.
- Why was his first day nerve-racking?
- His first day was nerve-racking because he had never taught before, only spoke a few words of Portuguese, and was uncertain of what to expect.
- How did he tell about street children and their daily tasks? (Sleep, meal)
- He mentioned that the children received only one meal a day, consisting of rice and beans, and slept under bridges or in doorways.
What are the living conditions?
- The living conditions are very poor, characterized by extreme poverty, lack of adequate shelter, and insufficient food.
What was the children's attitude to him? How do you think, why?
- The children were friendly and eager to learn, likely because they viewed his presence as an opportunity for education and a potential escape from their difficult circumstances.
What were they doing during the breaks?
- During breaks, they played football together, which highlighted the children's enjoyment and passion for the sport.
How did the host family treat him?
- The host family treated him marvellously, adopting him as an unofficial "Carioca," showing warmth and hospitality.
Was it a marvellous experience for him? Why?
- Yes, it was a marvellous experience for him because it was eye-opening, transformative, and enriched his understanding of life and hope despite adversity.
Would you like to try to teach street children? Why?
- (This question is subjective. You can reflect on your own feelings or thoughts.) I might consider teaching street children because it would be a meaningful way to make a positive impact and to contribute to their futures by providing them with education and support.
