READING Unit 7: Citizenship 2BACLF

READING Unit 7: Citizenship 2BACLF

[1] A good illustration of Citizenship in action can be found in a small village, about an
hour’s journey from Fez in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco.
[2] Prior to 2001, the majority of the children in that village had never seen a school, much
less attended one. At a very young age, most of them went to work in the
countryside, tending fields or herding goats. Those who were lucky
enough to attend classes were forced to walk several miles over rough
roads to the nearest school. In this drought-stricken region, water was often
rationed; keeping the people supplied with sufficient water meant endless
treks down the hill to the village well on donkeys.
[3] When the Medersat.Com foundation decided to build a school there, the community
donated the land and provided much of the labour for construction. In keeping with
Medersat.Com’s philosophy, the school was situated in the physical centre of the community with
the aim of making it a key driver in local development. The architectural style and building
materials reflected local traditions. What emerged was a complex of buildings that feature domes
and graceful arches, punctuated by paved courtyards open to the sky.
[4] A reliable water supply was provided with the assistance of a foundation partner, the
Drinking Water Utility (ONEP). when the doors of the school finally opened in 2001, one of the
school’s two teachers, Abdesselam, had to show the children how to operate the taps; without
running water in their village, they had never used a water tap.
[5] Soon after the school opened, a representative of the Foundation met with the villagers
and reflected on the nature of the partnership that Medersat. Com has struck with rural communities
across Morocco. “ We’ll finish the work and give you the keys, because these are your walls, your
land, your land, and your children,” she told the assembled citizens of the village.
I – COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
A- THE TEXT IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT:
1. Problem of water in rural areas 2. Finding a job in the countryside 3. The infrastructure of Moroccan villages

4. Building schools to help the rural communities

B- ARE THESE SENTENCES TRUE OR FALSE. JUSTIFY.

1. The children of the village attended school before 2001.
2. It rains a lot in that rural region, so people have a steady supply of water.
3. The school was built outside of the village.
C- ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS IN YOUR OWN E)- FIND IN THE TEXT WORDS /
WORDS. EXPRESSIONS THAT MEAN THE SAME AS:

1. Why was water rationed in the village?

1. Trip (paragraph 1): …………
2. Who contributed to the building of the school? How?
2. Before (paragraph 2): …………
3. When were children able to attend the new school?
3. Give for free (paragraph 3): …………
F)- COMPLETE THE TABLE RELYING ON THE TEXT:
Situation in the village before the school was built Situation in the village after the school was built