Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. grid
    • ex. Many homes lost power when the electricity grid had a problem.
  2. install
    • ex. The city plans to install traffic lights at the busy road.
  3. a solar panel
    • ex. Solar panels use sunlight to make energy for homes.
  4. a technician
    • ex. The technician came to fix our broken computer.
  5. kerosene
    • ex. Many people use kerosene lamps when there is no electricity.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Half of the 2 million people in Zanzibar, Tanzania, do not have a house connected to the electricity grid. Hamna Silima Nyange was one of them. After sunset, her eight children studied by oil lamps. “The light was too weak,” Nyange said. “And the smoke from the lamp hurt my eyes.”

One day, a neighbor, Tatu Omary Hamad, installed solar panels and bulbs in Nyange’s home. Hamad is one of the “solar mamas” or technicians trained by Barefoot College International. The program teaches middle-aged women from villages without electricity how to install solar panels. After six months of training, each woman can bring at least 50 solar kits back to her community. So far, “solar mamas” have helped install lights to 1,845 homes in Zanzibar.

The program also improves health. Kerosene lamps can make people breathe in harmful smoke, hurt their eyes, and even cause lung damage. Jacob Dianga, a healthcare worker, said kerosene can be dangerous for children and homes. With solar panels, families have clean, safe light. The “solar mamas” give both electricity and better health to their communities.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Community Programs

  • Barefoot College International trained “solar mamas” or technicians in Zanzibar. What about this community program do you admire (ex. training of women, supporting communities that have no access to electricity grid)? Discuss.
  • Have you ever participated in a community program in your country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The Barefoot College International’s program trained “solar mamas” to become technicians. If you could create a similar program, what kind of program would it be? Discuss.

Electricity

  • Access to electricity is essential for education, work, and health. In your opinion, should electricity be free? Discuss.
  • Which electricity source do you think is the best for people and the planet (ex. solar, wind)? Discuss.
  • In your country, what are the common sources of electricity (ex. gas, solar power)? Discuss.