Student Voices

Summer 2004

	Photo: Jeane-Claude Lejeune

I Am a Child

By Malcolm Rouse, 4th grade

I am a child who has a family who comforts him when he needs them.
I am a child who spins silk to survive.

Early in the morning I wake up, brush my teeth, and play with my friends .
Early in the morning I wake up and go to work.

During the day I play with my friends.
During the day I spin silk until late at night.

In the evening I brush my teeth and watch television.
In the evening I sew silk until I am very tired.

Late at night I go to sleep.
Late at night I go home to sleep.

Usually I play with my friends.
Usually I do nothing but work.

I am happiest when I play with my friends.
I am happiest when I can see my family again.

It hurts me when people have arguments.
It hurts me when I stand and spin silk.

I am a child.
I am a child.

	Photo: Unicef / Guilles Vanclair

A Poem for Two Voices

By Angela Williams, 4th grade

I am a child who gets an education by going to school.
I am a child who works twelve hours a day to be able to eat and drink.

I hope everyone can get an education.
I hope someday I can go to school to learn about people, the world, and math.

Early in the morning I wake up and take a shower.
I get dressed and my dad takes me to school.
Early in the morning I get up and go to work barefoot.

During the day I learn how to write and do math
at school.
During the day I fish in the hot sun.

When I grow up I want to be a teacher and help
kids learn.
When I grow up I want to go to school and get a better job.

Late at night I sleep in my bed dreaming
of good things.
Late at night I come home with aching feet and sleep
only three hours.

I am a child who is lucky.
I am a child who has to work to survive.

Summer 2004