19x04 - Our Big Home

[bunniefuu]

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ Butterfly in the sky ♪

♪ I can go twice as high ♪

♪ Take a look,
it's in a book ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can go ♪

♪ Anywhere ♪

♪Friends to know ♪

♪ And ways to grow ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ I can be ♪

♪ Anything ♪

♪ Take a look ♪

♪ It's in a book ♪

♪ A reading rainbow ♪

♪ Reading rainbow ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

Captioning made possible by
u.s. Department of educaon

Hey.

Want to know something cool?

I'm walking along first avenue
in new york city,

But I'm not actually
in the united states.

That's because this whole area

Is what's called
an international zone,

A place that belongs
to all countries.

It's the headquarters
for the united nations,

A place where people come
from all over to discuss
the world's problems,

And try to solve them.

Take a look at these flags.

They represent hundreds
of countries from all
over the world.

Everywhere from afghanistan
and albania,

To zambia and zimbabwe.

But no matter where we live,

And no matter
what our differences,

There's a place where we can
always come together and talk,

And that's the united nations.

This is the one place on earth
that belongs to everyone.

Every country
sends representatives here.

They're called "delegates."

We should ensure that
the protection and well-being
is placed on...

Burton: the delegates
discuss problems

That are affecting people
around the world.

We come before
the general assembly...

Burton: once these issues
are identified,

The united nations takes action.

[Blades whirring]

They fly in peacekeepers.

They provide food
for the hungry...

And send medical care
to the most remote places.

Many of these efforts
are begun right here,

At u.n. Headquarters.

Man: not just the right
to survival,

Protection, and development,

But a stake in the future
of the world.

Burton: and adults
aren't the only ones
involved at the u.n.

On special occasions,
kids can participate, too.

We would like to welcome you all
to new york,

And to the special session
on children--welcome.

♪ Listen to the sound
of my voice ♪

Burton: this meeting
has been organized for kids,

So that they can discuss issues
that are important to them.

What we need from you
is your help.

I want to thank you

For making time to talk to us.

Mr. Nelson mandela,
thank you.

[Children cheering]

Burton:
many of these kids

Have already made a big impact
on the world.

One group, called
kids can free the children

Was founded by craig kielburger,
a teenager from toronto.

Craig started helping other kids
when he was only 12 years old,

And he's still going strong.

No, i--yeah, I got
the agenda right here, um...

Craig:
kids can free the children
is not like other groups.

We're not in some
big office tower

With a lot of stuffy people
who wear suits and ties.

We're kids.

[Door squeaks]]

People: hey!

Burton:
the organization's goal

Is to help kids in trouble
around the world.

Ok, we've got pens.
Awesome.

So, what do you have?

Kim, I've got
some more toys here.

Toys? Awesome.

Craig: we come,

And sometimes on saturday
afternoons, or after school,

We'll sit around
and we'll plan actions,

And we'll dream up new ideas,
how we can help other kids.

Kim: what do you have?

Shoes.
Awesome.

Burton: right now,
they're getting ready

For a trip to a village
in nicaragua.

The children there
live in very poor conditions,

So, the group is bringing them
much-needed supplies.

Craig: from across
the united states,

Young people have collected
pencils and papers,

And rulers and erasers,
and soap and wash towels,

Toothbrush and nail clippers,

And they put together
school kits and health kits,

And they send them to us,

And then we send them
to children who need them.

Burton: jason has been
helping out since he was 11.

Jason: in many countries,

Children are not allowed
to go to school.

They are kicked out
of school if they do not
have the proper supplies,

And, you know, here we take for
granted that we have a pencil,

When we go to school,
that we have that notebook.

But for many of these children,

They can't afford
that few dollars to buy kits,

Because they're family needs it
for food and other things,

Um, to keep them living.

And the pictures from
the school in ecuador

Have also arrived.

Craig: we actually bring groups
from the united states

And from other countries
to help actually

Build a classroom
in another country

Where these kids can
go to school.

Welcome to our meeting,
I hope everyone's doing well.

We got a good turnout today.

Burton: and that's what they
have planned for nicaragua.

Boy: to talk about
a lot of stuff.

Burton: they will travel
to a remote village

To deliver the supplies.

[People chattering]

And to help build an addition
onto the schoolhouse.

A trip like this
is unforgettable
for kids like jordanna.

It just changes your life.
It makes a difference.

You can make a difference in
the whole world from one trip.

It's empowering youths to say,

"You know what?
It's not only an adult's world.

You can make a difference."

And it's also making
a difference in the lives of
the children we are helping.

[People chattering]

Burton: even bowling
is put to good use.

While they're having
a good time,

Their bowl-a-thons raise money

For the projects
that they've planned.

[Cheering, shrieking]

Craig: thanks to
the action of kids,

Over 15,000 children,

Who, before,
couldn't go to school,

Now can learn to read and write.

Burton: the work
of these children

Has also inspired
other children.

Boys and girls
from dozens of countries

Have started local chapters of
kids can free the children,

So that any child
who wants to help can pitch in.

Craig's simple idea h
blossomed into an organization

That has really
made a difference.

Craig: we just
wanted to help,

And more and more people
got involved,

And now begun to spread
all around the world.

We have over 100,000 members
in 35 countries

Who are now involved
in our actions.

It's just given me
that knowledge

That I can make a difference.
I can change the world.

The volunteers from
kids can free the children

Are doing what anyone would do
when a neighbor is in trouble.

But these kids go a little
further when they lend a hand,

And sometimes, it can turn into
a real adventure.

Good morning!

Male: morning!
Who are you?

Burton: this is part
of the team that's flying
to nicaragua.

Yay! How cold is it, erin?
It's really cold...

Burton: they brought
all the necessary supplies,

And some video cameras
to document their journey.

All right.
How cold is it out?

Really cold.
Ok.

Burton: this is a video
journal of their trip

As told by team member
kim plewis.

Hi.
Hi. Tell me your name.

I'm kim.

Kim: this is the beginning
of an incredible trip.

We flew to the snow and ice
of toronto, canada,

To the steamy hills
of nicaragua.

Male: right, for 5 days
there was no shower,
no electricity.

Whoo! We don't need
showers, I mean...

We've all been to camp,
ha ha!

We are heading to okote dudu,

Where we will spend
the next 4 days.

There will be 5 of us
traveling by mule now,

And then there will be 5 more
traveling in about an hour.

I've never been
on a horse before,

Or mule, for that matter,

So I'm really freaked out,
'cause I don't know what to do.

[Laughs nervously]

[People chattering]

Girl: here we go!

Kim: and it was an
interesting hike for us,

Because we had been told
it was going to be
physically challenging,

But we had no idea
that it was going to be 5 hours,

You know, 8 kilometers
up and down 7 0r 8 mountains.

[Insects buzzing loudly]

Male: how do you feel?
How's it going?

Cool.
Yeah?

Yeah, man, ha ha!
Pretty cool.

Yeah, pretty high up.

Kim: the second group,
we only had 2 mules,

So a lot of us had to walk
a lot of the way.

Girl: here's what
we're hiking up.

It's full of, um...

Bumps, and little hills, and...

Definitely going to be
an interesting hike.

Girl: ...when we get
to the waterfall.

Kim: okote dudu
had no electricity,

And had a school
and a medical clinic,

And a church.

And everyone else
who lived around it

Lived anywhere from, like,


To 3 hours away.

So is this still
all their land?

Kim: we went to visit
some homes of community members,

And that was a really big
learning experience.

[People chatting]

Male: we're getting a tour
of the home here.

Kim: and they didn't have
a lot of food.

They didn't have
a lot of clothes.

And they didn't have
a lot of toys.

They didn't have a lot
of anything.

[Unintelligible chatter]

Um...la escuela.

[Continues in spanish]

Kim: stephanie speaks
spanish very well.

She found out that our new
friends were very excited

That we'd come to
make the school bigger.

[Speaking spanish]

Stephanie: they--he said that
they really appreciate our help,
very much so,

Especially since they have
children who go there.

They really needed help with it,
and then he said

Since they're going to have
even more children going there,

They really appreciate our help.

Kim: here is the school
that they had in okote dudu.

It was one room, and we taught
in it for a few hours one day.

We taught them english.

We taught body parts

And animals and numbers.

[All vocalizing]

[Stephanie speaking
in spanish]

En ingles,
la boca es
"mouth."

[Children saying "mouth",
stephanie continues]

Kim: and we played
head and shoulders,

Knees and toes with them.

Head.
Head.

Shoulders.
Shoulders.

Knees.
Knees.

Toes.
Toes.

♪ Head and shoulders ♪

♪ Knees and toes ♪

♪ Knees and toes ♪

♪ Knees and toes ♪

♪ Head and shoulders ♪

♪ Knees and toes ♪

♪ Eyes ♪

♪ Ears ♪

♪ Mouth and nose ♪

Yeah!
Yay!

Ok...

Kim: finally, it was time
to build the school.

This was an adventure
all by itself.

The supplies got there
ahead of us.

And now it was up to us
to complete the job.

That's power, baby,
when sparks fly.

Kim: it would've taken them
weeks to finish

What we had done together
in days.

Girl: that is the school so far,

And we managed to build
all that in one day,

Which I think is pretty good.

Girl: ok, what are we
gonna do now?

Together: paint
the school yellow.
Uno, dos, tres.

Kim: we were given
some yellow paint

To paint the bottom
of the school with.

It was just so much fun
to help out,

Yet still...

Get covered in paint.

We are having
so much fun right now.

[All laughing]

That was good.

Whoo!

We painted the school,
and we painted each other.

We won.
It's awesome.

[Speaking spanish]

Kim: a really special moment
for all of us

Was when the school was reopened
with the second room,

And everyone came.

All the families who were


And then siobhan
got to cut the ribbon,

And the school was reopened.

[All cheering, applauding]

Kim: the community
was now changed because

Twice the amount of kids
could have an education.

And they were just so thankful.

They made signs
and they read poems

And they had dances.

[Music playing]

We all just got up and danced.

Yeah.

Whoo!

[All cheering]

Kim: once the school
was finished,

We handed out health kits
and school supplies

That we had put together
back in toronto.

We watched
the children's faces light up

As we gave them the kits.

They were so happy
to get basic supplies

That they use every day,

And it was old school supplies
that kids back home

Had collected and packed up.

And when we left,

We felt like
we had done so much.

I don't just feel like
I've met neighbors.

I met friends,

And I met brothers and sisters.

Girl: they're really
shy, though.

They don't see
a lot of people,

And they like to run up.

Kim: it wasn't just a...

"Oh, hi, neighbor,
how are you doing?"

It was, "I'm gonna miss you,

"And we have a bond that
no one could ever break

"Because what
I've learned from you

"And what you've learned from me

"Are things that...

"I'll never forget

And I'll always take
with me wherever I go."

When people join together,

They begin
to sow seeds of peace,

And that's what
this bell represents.

It's called
the japanese peace bell,

And it was made
entirely from coins

That were donated by children
from 60 different countries.

The coins were then melted

And formed into
the shape of the bell.

Every boy or girl
who gave even a penny

Put a little piece of themselves
into every contribution,

Making a difference.

And so can you.

You may not be able to fly
to other side of the world,

@
But you can always pitch in.

And when you do,

You give a little part
of yourself

To the world around you.

At this local animal shelter,

There are plenty of things
that kids can do to help.

Katherine shell
is an adult volunteer

Who also supervises the kids.

Shell: we have a trail
that runs through

The county park that we're in,

And we had the children go out

And help us clean
the trail today.

We keep it open...

So that people can come
and enjoy the park.

Burton: they also have
feeding stations for the birds

That the children can fill

To encourage the birds
to stay around.

@
We have to cut it up
very small.

The birds that we're feeding
are very small birds.

Burton:
in the kitchen,

Fresh food is prepared
for the animals

That are recovering
from injuries.

The birds really appreciate
a homemade meal.

Shell: make sure you
put them down in
a different spot.

Shell:
I do look forward to

Having the children
come and volunteer.

Thank you for helping
with the turtles.

You did a very good job.

Burton: these kids looked
in their kitchen cabinets

And found something
very valuable:

Extra food
for the homeless shelter.

They boxed it and bagged it
and brought it down.

Put them here.
What do you have today?

Ok, we have milk,
which we can really use.

Crackers.

Pasta.

We have some in here. Ok.

I got jell-o
right here.

You got jell-o? Ok.

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.
Ok.

[Talking indistinctly]

My name is
jennifer castillo.

Where are you from?

I was raised up
on a big farm.

Burton: older people
who can't live with

Their own families anymore

Look forward
to the company of friends.

[People chattering]

[Singing]

Burton: this group
of young volunteers

Visits with their
elderly neighbors once a week.

Together they share stories,

Play games,

And learn new things
about each other.

You're writing now.

You did it.

Burton: you don't need to be
a part of an organization

To help out.

Monica is collecting food
from her neighbors.

Hi.

I'm collecting food
for the hungry.

Oh, that's right.
I got your flier.

Hold on. I have
some cans for you.
Ok.

Burton: she plans
to pack up the donations

And send them to
hungry children overseas.

Here you go.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Have a nice day.

Burton: when you volunteer,
everyone benefits.

Maybe you want
to make your neighborhood

A more attractive place to live

Or en more
environmentally sound,

Or maybe you want
to help a neighbor

In another part of the world
who might need food or clothing.

But how do you get started?

Where do you go for guidance?

Well, if you're hungry to help,

There's always a place
that will give you

Plenty of food for thought:

Your local library.

But you don't have
to take my word for it.

Take his.

So, you're trying
to dig up some good ideas.

Maybe you're
stuck on what to do,

How to move forward.

Well, take it from me, kasheef,

This is the place
that you got to be.

The library.

Why?

First, they have
some very fine hardware,

Like these computers.

And what do these do?

Gets you on the net
to some great sites.

You can surf up to
reading rainbow's website.

All you have to do
is go to pbskids.org

And click on reading rainbow.

This is the digital stop
for all the best books

And cool info.

Just about any topic
you want to read about

Is right here.

It also has lots of games
and other activities.

And while you're clicking,

Check out other sites

Like cyberschoolbus@un.org

And more cool sites

At pbskids.org.

Finally,

You don't go to the library--

Especially...

The new york public library,

And walk by these without...

Stopping.

Books are the best way

To dive in deep

And...

Come up with gold.

Here's a little something
from craig kielburger.

This workbook, take action!

Just hands you hundreds of ideas

On how to help others,

Like where to start, and
how to raise money for a cause.

You might want a grown-up
to help you read through it,

But these gems
make this book a treasure.

Here's another good one:

Whoever you are.

I mean, the name of the book is,
whoever you are.

It's got a whole lot of style.

The illustrations do a great job

Of showing how diverse
our world really is.

This book packs
some emotional punch.

So, let's review.

Need info?

Glide to the library.

You want it fast and flashy?

Go digital.

Like it full-flavored?

Hit the books.

Whatever.
It's all right here:

The library.

Isn't this a beautiful mosaic?

This is an art exhibit
here at the u.n.,

And it's called,
"the amazed world."

These walls are made up
of all kinds of tiles,

And if you look close enough,

You'll see that each one
is unique,

Created by a different boy
or girl from around the world.

That's the way the earth is.

It's made up of millions
and millions of people,

No 2 being alike.

And no matter
how different we are,

We all live on the same planet,

And share the same home.

That's what this book is about.

It's called our big home
an earth poem.

We all live here.

People, ants, elephants, trees,

Lizards, lichen, turtles, bees.

We all share the same big home.

We share the water.

[Children laughing, splashing]

We splash, and slosh,
and swim in water.

And, of course,
we all drink water.

[Waves splash]

Whales, dolphins,
penguins, manatees,

Palm trees, you and me.

We all share the water,

Here on earth,

Our big blue home.

Rain slides down my nose,

And trickles in between my toes.

Rain cleans the whole world.

It waters forests
of giant trees,

And wakes up life in tiny seeds.

It brings fresh water
to you and me.

We all share the rain
here on earth,

Our green, growing home.

The sun warms us all
around the world.

[Children playing]

Sunflowers, sparrows,

Apples trees, foxes,

Ferns, and you and me.

Warm fingers and toes.

Warm roots and leaves.

We all share the sun.

Here on earth,
our big, sun-warmed home.

[Children chattering]

And there's dirt all around

Our earth, our ground.

Soil where seeds wait,

And where trees are born.

Where earthworms live,

And rabbits dig.

Earth that holds life,

Dirt that feels good
under my feet.

We all share the soil,

Here on earth,
our big, life-holding home.

And there's air everywhere.

Far, far away,

And right next door.

We all breathe the earth's air

[Inhales]

[Exhales]

Doesn't it feel good to breathe?

[Children laughing]

People, lizards, lady bugs,

Oak trees,

Sweet peas, even weeds,

We all share the air,
here on earth,

Our big fresh air home.

[Children chattering]

[Wind blowing]

Wind whooshes,

And whirls, and sweeps,

And swirls.

It stirs the grass,

And shakes the trees.

It carries rain,
and spreads new seeds.

It brings fresh air.

It blows kids' hair.

All around the world,

Wind touches us all
here on earth,

Our big, whirling home.

[Wind blowing]

The night.

When stars sparkle
in the deep, endless deep,

The hush time
when we sink into sleep.

When night animals roam,

And night flowers bloom.

We all have a time of darkness
here on earth,

Our home under
the big blanket of night.

[Children chattering]

When I stretch,

Or dance, or hop,

Or laugh,

When I leap in the air

Or lay in the grass,

I feel alive!

[Child laughing heartily]

[Waves crashing]

We all have that aliveness,

Trees, frogs,

Bees, grass,

Spiders, snakes,

Earthworms, bats--

We all share life,
every one of us,

Here on earth,

Our big, life-giving home.

[Children chattering]

We share air,

Water, soil,

Sky, sun,

Rain, and being alive.

And we all share one home,
here on earth,

One precious, living home.

[Children chattering]

Do you know why I love
visiting the united nations?

It's because it reminds me that
even though we're different,

We all share
a giant neighborhood

Called the earth.

After all, this is our big home,

And it's the only one we've got.

I'll see you next time.

Today's
reading rainbow books are:

Our big home: an earth poem,

Written by linda glaser,

Illustrated by elisa kleven,

Published by
the millbrook press.

Take action!
A guide to active citizenship,

Written by marc kielburger
and craig kielburger,

Copyright 2000
by gage learning corporation,

Published in the united states
by john wiley & sons, inc.

Whoever you are,

Written by mem fox,

Illustrated by leslie staub,

Published by voyager books,

A trademark of harcourt.