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My village had many problems.
We made a long line to fetch water from one tap.
My village had many problems.
We made a long line to fetch water from one tap.
Mon village avait beaucoup de problèmes. Nous faisions la queue pour aller chercher de l’eau d’un seul robinet.
We waited for food donated by others.
We waited for food donated by others.
Nous attendions la nourriture donnée par les autres.
We locked our houses early because of thieves.
We locked our houses early because of thieves.
Nous barrions nos maisons tôt à cause des voleurs.
Many children dropped out of school.
Many children dropped out of school.
Plusieurs enfants avaient abandonné l’école.
Young girls worked as maids in other villages.
Young girls worked as maids in other villages.
Les jeunes filles travaillaient comme domestiques dans d’autres villages.
Young boys roamed around the village while others worked on people’s farms.
Young boys roamed around the village while others worked on people’s farms.
Les jeunes garçons se promenaient autour du village pendant que d’autres travaillaient sur des fermes.
When the wind blew, waste paper hung on trees and fences.
When the wind blew, waste paper hung on trees and fences.
Quand le vent soufflait, des déchets de papier pendaient des arbres et des clôtures.
People were cut by broken glass that was thrown carelessly.
People were cut by broken glass that was thrown carelessly.
Les gens se faisaient couper par de la vitre brisée lancée sans faire attention.
Then one day, the tap dried up and our containers were empty.
Then one day, the tap dried up and our containers were empty.
Puis un jour, le robinet se tarit et nos conteneurs étaient vides.
My father walked from house to house asking people to attend a village meeting.
My father walked from house to house asking people to attend a village meeting.
Mon père marcha de maison en maison et demanda aux gens de participer à une réunion du village.
People gathered under a big tree and listened.
People gathered under a big tree and listened.
Les gens se rassemblèrent sous un grand arbre et écoutèrent.
My father stood up and said, “We need to work together to solve our problems.”
My father stood up and said, “We need to work together to solve our problems.”
Mon père se leva et dit, « Nous devons travailler ensemble pour résoudre nos problèmes. »
Eight-year-old Juma, sitting on a tree trunk shouted, “I can help with cleaning up.”
Eight-year-old Juma, sitting on a tree trunk shouted, “I can help with cleaning up.”
Juma, âgée de huit ans et assise sur un tronc d’arbre, cria, « Je peux aider à nettoyer. »
One woman said, “The women can join me to grow food.”
One woman said, “The women can join me to grow food.”
Une femme dit, « Les femmes peuvent me joindre pour faire pousser de la nourriture. »
Another man stood up and said, “The men will dig a well.”
Another man stood up and said, “The men will dig a well.”
Un autre homme se leva et dit, « Les hommes creuseront un puits. »
We all shouted with one voice, “We must change our lives.”
From that day we worked together to solve our problems.
We all shouted with one voice, “We must change our lives.”
From that day we worked together to solve our problems.
Nous criions tous d’une seule voix, « Nous devons changer nos vies. » Depuis ce jour, nous avons travaillé ensemble pour résoudre nos problèmes.
Written by: Ursula Nafula
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Read by: Darshan Soni