VOA慢速英语2009年-AMERICAN MOSAIC - Little Kids Making a Big

HOST:

Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC¹ in VOA Special English.

(MUSIC)

I'm Doug Johnson.

Today, we play music from a CD that brings together more than one hundred musicians from around the world.

But first, we report about some special young people who have taken on some big causes.

(MUSIC)

Kids With Causes

HOST:

While many American children are climbing trees and playing at the pool this summer, a few others are helping² people in need. Mario Ritter has our report about kids with causes.

MARIO RITTER:

Asperger's syndrome³ is a kind of autism, a brain disorder⁴ found in children. People with Asperger's have limited communication skills. They may have trouble relating to others on an emotional⁵ level.
　
Amanda LaMunyon

Amanda LaMunyon lives in Oklahoma. She is fourteen years old. She was identified with Asperger's syndrome at the age of eight. She had been having trouble at school. Her teachers said the little girl knew all the rules but could not seem to follow them.

Then, Amanda says, art changed her life. When she started painting she discovered she could express herself with color and canvas⁶. Her art teacher discovered that Amanda had great skill.

Amanda decided⁷ to use her art to help children with learning⁸ problems. She wants children to know that "their challenges may also become a gift."

Amanda created a Web site to sell her art. She donates the earnings⁹ to organizations that help sick children. She also speaks at events to increase information about Asperger's and other autism disorders¹⁰. Amanda says she does not want children to ever give up because they do not know what they can do until they try.

Zach Bonner knows just how far trying can get you. Earlier this month the eleven year old completed his biggest charity project to date. He walked almost two thousand kilometers from his home in Florida to Washington, D.C., to raise money for homeless children in America.

He called his project "From My House to the White House." He carried a message to President Obama and lawmakers. He asked for help for the more than one million homeless children in the United States. The walk raised tens of thousands of dollars for Zach's cause.

His mother says Zach has always enjoyed community service work. She says it began when Hurricane Charley hit Florida in two thousand four. Zach decided to help victims by walking around his area with his little red wagon¹¹ collecting and giving out bottles of water. He got the nickname¹² "Little Red Wagon Boy."
　
Zach Bonner

Now, "Little Red Wagon" is the name of Zach's foundation¹³. It has raised money for playgrounds and shelters for homeless children. Zach also gives out thousands of backpacks. He fills each "Zachpac" with a toy, personal cleaning supplies, socks, sewing supplies, a first aid kit¹⁴ and food.

Zach has won many awards, met several presidents and been on television. But that is not why he wants to help people. Zach Bonner says if you have a good heart you have to use it. And, he says, charity work is a lot of fun.

Eighteen year old Christina Johnson and her older sister Geneva started their project, "Bring It On," in the Bronx area of New York City in two thousand four. They wanted to improve the place where they lived. The area was so dangerous their parents would not let them play outside.

The girls started a program to empower children in their community. "Bring It On" organizes environmental "jams" to clean up waste in the area. The group also holds classes and talks on health, leadership, how to set up small businesses and other issues. "Bring It On" receives money and other support from local businesses and other sponsors¹⁵.

These young people are not alone in their efforts. The Corporation¹⁶ for National and Community Service released¹⁷ a report this week. It said young people are leading the way in volunteering in the United States. The study said community service by young adults increased by four hundred thousand volunteers last year, more than any other age group.

Playing for Change

HOST:

Who knew a single idea could result in a musical world union. Mark Johnson's idea, "Playing for Change," is now a CD, a DVD, a documentary¹⁸ film, a nonprofit organization and a company. Faith Lapidus has more.

FAITH LAPIDUS:

Mark Johnson is a Grammy Award-winning musical producer and engineer. Over the past four years he traveled around the world with recording¹⁹ equipment and video cameras in an effort to unite people through music. He used modern editing²⁰ technology to combine voices and instruments into a global music experience.
　
Mark Johnson

His idea started when he heard two religious workers playing music for free in New York City's underground transportation system. He was surprised by the large number of busy people in the subway who stopped to listen.

Mister²¹ Johnson decided to record musicians around the world to unite people with different instruments and cultures. He believes music has the power to break boundaries.

Here is part of the American song "Stand by Me." It includes over thirty-five musicians from countries including the United States, South Africa, Brazil and Russia. The video of "Stand by Me" has received more than eleven million views on YouTube.

(MUSIC)

The CD "Playing for Change" has ten songs performed by a total of more than one hundred musicians from five continents. Mark Johnson made the songs by recording one part of the song at a time. Then he added more musicians and instruments from other countries.

Bob Marley's song "War/No More Trouble" includes musicians who have lived during wars and conflicts. The musicians are from Israel, India, Zimbabwe and other countries. The famous Irish singer Bono from the group U2 also performs on this song.

(MUSIC)
　
Pierre Minetti

Many of the songs on "Playing for Change" are versions²² of famous older songs. But this song, "Don't Worry," was written for the album by Pierre Minetti of Spain. It includes over twenty musicians from four continents who are connected through the message in the music.

(MUSIC)

Playing for Change is not just about sharing music with the world. Mark Johnson wanted to help the musicians and their communities. So he created a non-profit group, the Playing for Change Foundation two years ago. Last year, he established Timeless Media, a for-profit company that pays for and extends²³ the work of Playing for Change.

Mark Johnson writes on the CD: "As a human race we come together for birth, we come together for death. What brings us together in between is up to us. Stop and listen to the universal language of music and bring that positive energy with you everywhere you go."

We leave you now with Bob Marley's "One Love" from "Playing for Change."

(MUSIC)

HOST:

I'm Doug Johnson. I hope you enjoyed our program. It was written by Kim Varzi and Caty Weaver²⁴, who was also the producer. Join us again next week for AMERICAN MOSAIC, VOA's radio magazine in Special English.

1 mosaic   

n./adj.镶嵌细工的，镶嵌工艺品的，嵌花式的

参考例句：

• The sky this morning is a mosaic of blue and white.今天早上的天空是幅蓝白相间的画面。
• The image mosaic is a troublesome work.图象镶嵌是个麻烦的工作。

2 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

3 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

4 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

5 emotional   

adj.令人动情的；易动感情的；感情(上)的

参考例句：

• Emotional people don't stop to calculate.感情容易冲动的人做事往往不加考虑。
• This is an emotional scene in the play.这是剧中动人的一幕。

6 canvas   

n.粗帆布，一块油画布

参考例句：

• The times that people used canvas boat have become history.人们用帆船的时代已成为历史。
• Smith painted an oil painting on the canvas.史密斯在画布上画了一幅油画。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

9 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

10 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

12 nickname   

n.绰号，昵称；v.给...取绰号，叫错名字

参考例句：

• She called me by my nickname.她叫我的外号。
• Why do you fasten such a nickname on her?你为什么给她取这样一个绰号？

13 foundation   

n.[pl.]地基；基础；基金会；建立，创办

参考例句：

• The foundation of the university took place 600 years ago.这所大学是600年前创办的。
• The Foundation gives money to help artists.那家基金会捐款帮助艺术家。

14 kit   

n.用具包，成套工具；随身携带物

参考例句：

• The kit consisted of about twenty cosmetic items.整套工具包括大约20种化妆用品。
• The captain wants to inspect your kit.船长想检查你的行装。

15 sponsors   

n.保人( sponsor的名词复数 )；（广播电视节目、音乐会或运动会的）赞助者；（培训或教育的）资助者；（法案等的）倡议者v.赞助( sponsor的第三人称单数 )；资助（某人的培训或教育）；为慈善活动捐资；倡议

参考例句：

• The race organizers are trying to attract sponsors. 比赛的组织者在想方设法吸引赞助者。
• They become official sponsors and put their logos on stadium walls. 他们成为正式赞助者，从而能在赛场周围的墙上挂上他们公司的广告牌。 来自辞典例句

16 corporation   

n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation. 这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• The inflation did the corporation up. 通货膨胀使这个公司破产了。

17 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。

18 documentary   

adj.文献的；n.纪录片

参考例句：

• This case lacked documentary proof.本案缺少书面证据。
• I watched a documentary on the Civil War.我看了一部关于内战的纪录片。

19 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。

20 editing   

adj.编辑的

参考例句：

• The processing of data in random order,not subject to preliminary editing or sorting.未经预先编辑或分类，以任意次序对数据进行的处理的做法。

21 mister   

n.(略作Mr.全称很少用于书面)先生

参考例句：

• Mister Smith is my good friend.史密斯先生是我的好朋友。
• He styled himself " Mister Clean ".他自称是“清廉先生”。

22 versions   

n.译本( version的名词复数 )；版本；（个人对事件的）描述；（原物的）变体

参考例句：

• There are two versions of the game, a long one and a short one. 这游戏有两个版本，一长一短。
• When both versions of the story were collated,major discrepancies were found. 在将这个故事的两个版本对照后，找出了主要的不符之处。 来自《简明英汉词典》

23 extends   

v.（空间、时间等）延伸，延续( extend的第三人称单数 )；伸展；给予；延长

参考例句：

• This country extends its power and influence into neighbouring countries. 这个国家将其势力与影响扩大至邻国。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• His domain extends for 20 miles in every direction. 方圆20英里之内都是他的地产。 来自《简明英汉词典》

24 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。