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UNIT 2

How Communities Work

CommunitiesHelping each other, working and sharing,

Making decisions, choosing, caring,

Seeing that sometimes things go wrong

And getting together makes people strong.

Speaking and listening, taking, giving,

Agreeing or arguing, laughing, living,

Going to meetings to talk things through

Till people can see what’s best to do.

Asking and answering, changing, growing,

Teaching and learning things worth knowing,

Settling quarrels and reaching out—

That’s what communities are about!

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A service is work that is done for somebody else. This work may bea job, a duty, or a favour.

Word Watch

• How does electricityand running watermake life easier inyour home?

• What services do youuse every day?

• What services do youneed in case of anemergency?

Think Ab0ut It

People everywhere need services. Electricityand running water are services people use.Schools and libraries give services to people.

Some services make our lives easier or morefun. Others keep us healthy and safe. Servicesare important to our quality of life. People indifferent communities have different needs.That means their services can be different, too.Let’s see what services are like where María,Ahmed, Irena, and Ravi live.

CHAPTER 3

Services People Need

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María’s community is just one small part ofLima. Lima is a very big city! It has hospitalsand libraries. There are lots of schools andbuses. Homes have electricity and runningwater. Most people have phones, and many use the Internet.

Not everyone in Lima has access to theseservices. Many houses in Villa El Salvador donot have running water. Only a few streets inMaría’s community are paved. Many streets donot have enough streetlights.

María’s house has electricity. That means herparents can listen to the news on the radio inthe morning. María can watch television atnight with her little sister.

Services in Peru■ Do people in Peru have the

services they need?

■ How do services affectcommunities in Peru?

To have access to a servicemeans a person has theopportunity to use that service.

Word Watch

These children are learning to use a computer. Computers are becoming more common in Peruvian schools.

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This morning Mama took me to the healthcentre. It was very busy. The doctor gave me somemedicine. My cough is better already.

We saw our neighbour at the centre. She teachesmothers how to look after their babies. Some of thebabies were getting needles. They were beingvaccinated against diseases.

At school I had to wait a long time to use acomputer. There are so many students who want touse it. But I finally had my turn. I learned allabout armadillos, so now I can finish my schoolproject. On the way home, I watched my cousinJosé play football. We have new sports grounds, solots of teams can play.

María, Peru

In My Own Words

This doctor is vaccinating children against diseases.

• What services didMaría talk about?

• How have theseservices helped peoplein her community?

Think Ab0ut It

In a health centre, or clinic,people can see a doctor. Theycan also get information abouthealth. Children are vaccinatedagainst diseases.

Word Watch

Some people in Canadaand Peru go to a healthcentre or clinic when theyare sick. Others go to atraditional healer, who uses plants to help curepeople.

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MedicineIn Peru, some peopleuse plants to makemedicine. Many oftheir cures are used in other countries. Lots of plants comefrom the rain forestin Peru. There aremany kinds of plantsin the forest.

In a Village

María’s friend Koya lives in a remote village.Her family grows most of the food they need.Koya has a pet baby lamb.

Koya’s house does not have electricity. Hermother cooks meals over an oil burner. Atnight, her father lights an oil lamp so thefamily can see.

Koya’s family gets water from a stream. But this water is not always clean. Last year,Koya’s brother got sick. Now her mother boilsall the water they drink. In Koya’s village thereis a traditional healer. He uses certain plants to make medicines. He is called a curandero(koo-rahn-DAY-roh). When Koya’s brother wassick, the curandero made him feel better.

These village girls are washing their hands at the school’s water tap.

Some children in villages havepet lambs.

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Ahmed’s home in Tunis is comfortable. Hisparents can afford to pay for running waterand electricity. His family has a television, atelephone, and a computer.

At the edges of the city, many homes arecrowded together. People have fewer services.Most homes have electricity, but some peoplecannot afford televisions or refrigerators. Somepeople get water from a public fountain.

Ahmed’s school is in an old building, but ithas new equipment. Ahmed likes using thecomputer and the library. Not all schools inTunis have computers.

When Ahmed is sick, his mother takes himto the health clinic nearby. Everyone in Tunisiahas access to health care.

■ Do people in Tunisia have theservices they need?

■ How do services affectcommunities in Tunisia?

Services in Tunisia

Communities like this one in Tunisia have electricity, running water,and hospitals.

ProtectionLong ago, peopleprotected their townsby building wallsaround them. Thewalls kept out invaders.Today, people watchtheir neighbours’houses to make sureeverything is okay.

In Canada, students learnEnglish and French. Theyalso learn other languages.In Tunisia, students learnArabic and French. Theyalso learn English.

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Children in Tunisia go to school six days a week.

• What are someservices in the city ofTunis?

• What are someservices in the village?

• How do these servicesmake people feelhealthy andcomfortable?

Think Ab0ut It

Fact FlashFirefighters in Tunisia arenot as busy as firefightersin many other countries.That’s because houses inTunisia are built of stone or brick. They don’t burn as quickly as other kinds of houses.

This road sign is near thedesert in Tunisia. It warnsdrivers that camels maycross the road.

In a Village

Ahmed likes to visit his grandparents in theirvillage. His family drives there often.

In the village, there is a library and a newhealth clinic. The houses all have electricity.Some people in the village get their water froma well.

Ahmed’s uncle Ali also lives in the village.He is a metal worker, and he uses electric tools.Ahmed’s grandparents don’t have a phone. Buthis uncle Ali has a cell phone.

Ahmed’s cousin Saida goes to the villageschool. The school is close to her house. Someof Saida’s friends live outside the village. Theyhave to walk a long way to get to school.

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Some people still live in houses underground.

Today, our teacher talked about desert people insouthern Tunisia. Some people used to live inhouses carved into the rock. These houses keptthem cool in summer and warm in winter. Peopletravelled using donkey carts or camels.

Now many desert villages have new houses with electricity and running water. There are alsoschools, doctors, and post offices in the villages.Some people still use camels, but many others useJeeps or vans to travel in the desert.

Ahmed, Tunisia

In My Own Words

Why would solar powerwork well in the desert?

Think Ab0ut It

WaterWater is scarce in partsof Tunisia. In the desert,there is almost no rain.People get water froman oasis. An oasis is aplace in the desertwhere there is waterunder the sand.

Some villages in the desert are using solarpower. Special panels collect energy from thesun. The energy is turned into electricity. Peopleuse solar power for light and heat.

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In Kyiv, people can get around on buses,electric streetcars, and the subway. There aremany doctors, schools, libraries, and postoffices. Irena’s apartment building has waterand electricity, but sometimes these servicesbreak down. It’s hard for Irena’s mother to payall the bills for the services they need.

Some schools in Ukraine have a computer.Others, like Irena’s school, don’t havecomputers. Every school has a library. Butsometimes the books are old. Even the sportsequipment is old at Irena’s school. But Irenastill has fun. She loves her teacher. Her teacherknows so much, and she makes learning fun!

Services in Ukraine■ Do people in Ukraine have

the services they need?

■ How do services affectcommunities in Ukraine?

Ukraine has thousands ofrivers. Rivers are an importantsource of drinking water andtransportation. Rivers are alsoused to make electricity.

Did You Know ?

This nurse works in a hospitalin Ukraine.

These Ukrainian students are listening to their lesson on tape.

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In a Village

Irena’s aunt and uncle are comfortable in theirvillage. The post office is close by and so is thetrain station. The village has a nice library. Thenearest hospital is 20 km away.

The family has most things it needs. Butthere is no running water. When Irena visits inwinter, she has to go outside to get water fromthe well. But the house has gas heating, so it isalways cozy and warm.

The village has a school. Irena’s cousin canwalk there. Some students have to take the bus.The village school is smaller than Irena’s. Thereare many children and only a few teachers. Butthe children have lots of room to play outside.In the winter, they always make a skating rink!

In Ukraine, many people travelto cities or villages by train.

Some people in Ukrainian villages use a horse and wagon to carrycrops and other items.

Irena lives in a city. Her cousin lives in avillage.

• What services doesIrena’s family have inthe city?

• What services does hercousin have in thevillage?

• If you lived inUkraine, would youprefer to live in a city or in a village?Why?

Think Ab0ut It

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TRY THIS

Firefighters and policemake communitiessafe. Find informationon firefighters andpolice in yourcommunity.

Take jot notes onwhat you learned.

Share yourinformation with apartner.

Ukraine is independent now. We used to get lots ofthings from Russia, but now we don’t. So there areproblems. My school needs books. My grandfathersays many roads need repairs. My mother says herhospital needs medicine and new equipment. Sickpeople don’t always get the help they need.

But things are getting better. We own ourapartment now, and we are fixing it up. My unclesays life in the village is better than in the city. Hecan grow his own food. My aunt says she wantsrunning water, though! But no matter what,Ukrainians are proud to be independent! They areproud of their identity.

Irena, Ukraine

In My Own Words

These schoolgirls are having fun outside. School is free for childrenin Ukraine.

Cell phones are popular inUkraine. People in Canada and around the world also use cell phones.

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Ravi’s house in Milak has electricity. Thatmeans Ravi can watch cricket on television.There is also running water in his house atcertain times of the day. Not every house hasrunning water. Some people in his town pumpwater from a well. Only a few houses havetelephones. Ravi’s father hopes to get one soon.

Ravi goes to school every day. Most schoolsin towns and villages are free. But books arenot free. Ravi’s father has to buy them. Ravi’sfriend Anil does not go to school. Anil’s fathersays it is better for Anil to work and earnmoney for the family.

Ravi’s family lives close to a medical clinic.When Ravi’s grandmother took him there, theyhad to wait a long time. It was very crowded. A doctor gave Ravi the medicine he needed.

■ Do people in India have theservices they need?

■ How do services affectcommunities in India?

Services in India

When the weather is nice, students in India often have class outside.

Working ChildrenMany schools are freein India. But there arechildren who do not goto school. That’sbecause many familiesare poor. Children workbecause the familyneeds money. Manyyoung children weavecloth and rugs.

Fact FlashIn many towns, peoplehave running water foronly a few hours a day.People fill up big drumswith water, so they havewater when they need it.

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In a City

Ravi’s uncle Sanjay and aunt Veena have a small apartment in New Delhi. They have atelevision but no telephone. They do not havean air conditioner. In the summer, theapartment gets very hot.

All houses in New Delhi have running water.Some places do not have water 24 hours a day.If the water isn’t working, people can buy waterfrom a special truck. People also use handpumps to get water from a well.

Electricity in India is in short supply.Sometimes there are too many people trying touse the service. Then the electricity doesn’twork! A power cut can last for several hours.

These doctors fly around India and operate on sick people.

In some parts of India, thetemperature can go as high as49ºC in the summer. People getup very earlyin the morningand workwhile it is cool.Many peopleuse fans tostay cool.

Did You Know ?

RickshawsIn India, many peopleuse cycles with threewheels. These cycles arecalled rickshaws. Somepeople use rickshaws tocarry heavy loads.

What problems do youthink people in NewDelhi would have whenthe power is cut off forseveral hours?

Think Ab0ut It

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Today, my teacher told us he was born in Kerala.That’s a state in the south. Kerala has palm treesand beaches. It faces the Arabian Sea. My teachercomes from a city called Kochi. He says people inthis city have clean water. There are lots of doctorsand schools there. Almost all the children go toschool. The schools have textbooks and pens.

My teacher also said that not all communitiesin India are like Kochi. In some communities,people do not have clean water or electricity. Somefamilies live in houses made from stones or bricks.The children do not go to school. I’m lucky,though. My father wants me to study hard and learn.

Ravi, India

In My Own Words

In India, many people use apump like this one to get waterfrom a well.

TRY THIS

Reread the sections onMilak and Kochi. Makea Venn diagram to show which services arethe same and whichservices are different.

Almost all children in Kerala go to school.

DifferentSameDifferent

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Services are not always the same in everycommunity. In some communities, people haveaccess to important services. In othercommunities, people have fewer services.Services are an important part of quality of life.But services are not all there is to it! Whatmatters is that people feel safe, comfortable,and happy in their lives.

Services and Quality of Life

Clean water

A chance to learn

Health care

Transportation

Most schools forchildren are free. Why isthat important?

Think Ab0ut It

Services People Need

Electricity

Protection

You have learned thatpeople everywhereneed services. Youhave seen how servicesare important to ourquality of life. Nowlet’s hear what thesefour children have tosay about services intheir lives.

What They Say

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MaríaWhen I was little, only a few families lived inVilla El Salvador. My mother said there wereno schools, libraries, or even roads. Soonpeople asked the government to help. Myfather told me that my mother was a leader.She asked for the services we all needed. I’m proud of her. She helped make Villa El Salvador a wonderful place.

María, Peru

AhmedThe last time I visited my grandparents, therewas a big celebration. The new health clinicwas opening! Everyone was happy. Now sickpeople don’t have to travel far for help. Manyvillage people gave money for the clinic. My grandfather said it’s important for people to look after each other. If we share what we have, everyone’s life is better.

Ahmed, Tunisia

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IrenaOne of my favourite places is the library nearour apartment. I love the smell of the woodenshelves. Aunt Marta takes me there afterschool. She reads the newspaper while I lookat books. Best of all is when my mother comes with me. Then I look for old books, so she can read me stories from the time she was a little girl.

Irena, Ukraine

RaviOn my report from school, I didn’t do as wellas last time. My father wasn’t happy when hefound out. He told me that when he was aboy, his parents had to pay for school. Sosome children couldn’t go to school as long as they wanted to. Then he smiled and said I should think more about schoolwork and less about cricket!

Ravi, India

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SKILLPOWER

A concept map is a way to gather, organize,and remember information. When you makea concept map, follow these steps.

Step 1Put the main idea in the centre of the map. The main idea in this diagram is Services in India.

Step 2Put the important topics around the main idea. The important topics on this map are Schools, Health Care, Water,and Transportation.

Step 3In each box, make jot notes about that topic.In this map, the boxes for Schools andTransportation have been completed.

Learn About Concept Maps

TRY THIS

Make a copy of the concept map on this page.Fill in the missing information. Add moreinformation if you wish.

Health Care••

Transportation• buses• bicycles

Schools• outside in summer• most are free

Water••

Services in India

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Show What You Know!

Make a Concept MapNow you can make your own concept map. Make your mapabout services in Peru, Tunisia, or Ukraine. ■ Choose one country. Write the name of this country in

the centre of your map.■ Reread the parts of Chapter 3 that tell about services in

the country you chose. Look for missing information inChapter 1.

■ Add two or more jot notes about the services in thiscountry.

You may want to use a computer program to make yourconcept map.

Schools••

Services in