Lesson 9

Read the following text – Reading Passage 5:

Wiixutta, knowledge or learn in the Emakhuwa language, is a knowledge center in the Santo António neighborhood in
Onhipiti, the local name for the Island of Mozambique. It‟s an idea that blossomed from the heart and the head of
Moira Forjaz during the two years she worked on her photography book Ilhéus, dedicated to the elderly of what was
the country‟s first capital. “I have always been fascinated by the island since my first trip in 1976. But this project took
me to the heart, where people live. I understood better and decided that I wanted to lend a hand and make a
difference. There are schools, but there is no space where people of all ages can meet, take their rightful place in the
world, through experience and understanding. Vakanivakani (i.e., little by little) the social company Wiixutta was born.
And when a centre like Wiixutta is born, the result is simply beautiful. Because it is born out of emotion, out of the
desire to do, to confront, to practice curiosity, to spread knowledge and wisdom. Without forgetting organic
agriculture. Yes! Wiixutta also has an agricultural field working as a „classroom‟. Indeed! How do you make a flower
bed? How do you plant a tree? How do you sow? Children and adults are welcome. Practicing social distance due to
COVID-19, the capacity is at 25 per slot, as well as to watch films and theatre plays, talking about the news, the
environment, global warming, rights and du-ties, citizenship. A center born out of humility - there are schools on the
Island of Mozambique and Wiixutta doesn‟t compete with anyone. It‟s a place to enjoy the pleasure of being together,
of listening to those who have the skill to speak and explain, and reflect in groups. It‟s a learning and teaching place;
where one is moved by a film, a play, listening to tales of something that seemed impossible, finding and sharing
solutions; it‟s one place where one learns through music. With goodwill partners, Wiixutta will bring special people to
Onhipiti; musicians, actors, technicians... “We believe in the transmission of ideas and thoughts, through creative
learning for adults and children. Our aim is to foster their will to learn. “One of Wiixutta‟s first activities - after a beach
cleaning session - was training in menstrual hygiene for 300 girls who received menstrual cups for their own use, to
improve their daily lives and their future, because no girl should miss a day of school due to lack of menstrual
hygiene products. The project was developed in collaboration with the Cup&Go organization. Wiixutta is an open
space, from the community to the community, working with volunteers and partners. It‟s born out of joy, because
spreading culture is part of life. Today‟s islanders don‟t want to be held hostage to exoticism and ideology.
Knowledge cannot be under the shadow of political flags, because it breaks all social barriers. That is why all
activities are free - culture is from everyone and to everyone. Without prejudice, to help reflect, with the right
lightness. Wiixutta is an open process, it‟s a way to practice curiosity, on the Island of Mozambique.

Exercises
Part one: text mechanics
1. What type of a text is Passage 5? Justify your view.
2. The text has some fragments. Can you identify some two of them? Given that this is a proficient writer, can
you find a reason why the author may have used a fragment instead of a full sentence in each case?
Please, write out the fragments into full sentences.
3. The text has some ellipses. Can you find them and then write them out in full?
4. What is the difference between a fragment and an ellipsis?
Part two: comprehension & interpretation
1. what is Wiixutta‟s main purpose, according to the text?
2. how do we say „little” in Emakhuwa? How do you know?
3. How do the locals call the Island of Mozambique?
4. Moira Forjas is quoted as saying: “I understood better and decided that I wanted to lend a hand and make a
difference” (line 6) – what did she understand better? How do you know?
5. The writer claims that “spreading culture is part of life” (line 29) – Do you agree with this statement? Why
(not)?
6. The writer also says that “knowledge cannot be under the shadow of political flags, because it breaks all
social barriers” (lines 30-31) – What do you think? Do you agree with it? Why (not)?
7. Without forgetting organic agriculture. Yes! Wiixutta also has an agricultural field working as a „classroom‟
(lines 11-12) – Is the use of the underlined expressions in this text literal meaning, idiomatic meaning or a
figure of speech? justify
8. The author of the text writers: “how do you make a flower bed? How do you plant a tree? How do you sow?”
(lines 12-13) – what exactly, do you think, is the writer trying to convey when talking about making a flower
bed, planting a tree or sowing in this text?
9. There are schools, but there is no space where people of all ages can meet, take their rightful place in the
world, through experience and understanding (lines 7-8) – when you read the underlined expression in the
context of the text, what do you think the writer implies that happens at Wiixutta? Justify

Part three: vocabulary

Say what the following may mean in the text:
1. It‟s an idea that blossomed from the heart and the head of Moira Forjaz (line 3)
2. In line 3, we have the Portuguese word ilhéus. The text has an English equivalent for that. Find it, write it
down and say the line you found it in.
3. This project took me to the heart, where people live (lines 5-6 )
4. Today‟s islanders don‟t want to be held hostage to exoticism and ideology (lines 29-30)

Part four: Reading for pleasure

Read the short story at: http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/schoolradio/pdfs/aesop/the_hare_the_tortoise.pdf
After reading it, say what you learnt from it. Justify your point.

Notes

 Complete the steps above and submit your work via email to your Chefe de Turma by or on March 5tht. Your
Chefe de Turma will submit the work via email to the teacher on March 6th.
 Your Chefe de Turma is not allowed to accept your work after March 6th. Your teacher will not accept work
directly from you or any other student, but from the Chefe de Turma.
 Should you have any questions about the videos, the readings and tasks, please contact the teacher during
office hours (office 219) outlined in your syllabus. You may also reach the teacher by scheduling a meeting
with him or by going to his office on the days and at the times you have English VI classes.