Drought in East Africa

 Why is water important for life?

Water is one of the most important substances on earth. All plants and animals must have water to
survive. If there was no water there would be no life on earth. Apart from drinking it to survive,
people have many other uses for water. These include cooking, washing their bodies, washing clothes,
washing cooking and eating utensils; such as billies, saucepans, crockery and cutlery, keeping houses
and communities clean, recreation; such as swimming pools, keeping plants alive in gardens and
parks. Water is also essential for the healthy growth of farm crops and farm stock and is used in the
manufacture of many products.

Reading
1. Read this report by ActionAid. Why do you think it was written?
I think, this report was written to encourage people to save water and use less of water.

Vocabulary
2. Work with a partner. Find these words in the report and work out their meaning from the
context. If you’re unsure, use a dictionary.
1. severe
A severe drought across some East African countries ( Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti )
has left at least ten million people in urgent need of help. Severe is an adjective (of something bad or
undesirable) very great; intense.
2. drought
A severe drought across some East African countries ( Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti )
has left at least ten million people in urgent need of help. Drought is an event of prolonged shortages
in the water supply, whether atmospheric (below-average precipitation), surface water or ground
water.
3. urgent
A severe drought across some East African countries ( Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti )
has left at least ten million people in urgent need of help. Urgent is an adjective requiring immediate
action or attention.
4. malnourished
The United Nations says that 250,000 children are seriously malnourished. Malnourished is not eating
enough.
5. circumstances
Despite such extreme circumstances, Zeinabu and Sabria are both hopeful for the future.
Circumstances are a fact or condition connected with or relevant to an event or action.

Reading
3. Read the report again and answer the questions.
1. What is the crisis described in the report and who has it affected?
The crisis described in the report is water crisis and 250,000 children in East African countries ( Kenya,
Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and Djibouti ) was affected.
2. How has the crisis affected Sabria and her family?
Her mother, Zeinabu , has lost 180 cows and 200 goats . Sabria can’t afford to go to school. Sabria and
her family go to bed hungry every night. They don’t wash any more.
3. How are people surviving?
Some families are only eating one meal a day and children are missing school in order to help their
families.
4. Is the situation going to improve in the near future?
Yes.
5. How does the report end and why do you think it ends in this way.
Zeinabu and Sabria are both hopeful for the future. Sabria is hoping to go back to school and wants to
become a police officer when she is older. I think it ends in this way because it gives us a message to
save water.
Rewrite the sentences using the structures in the brackets.
1 Although they were hungry, the children managed to sleep. (despite + -ing form)
 Despite being hungry, the children managed to sleep. 
2 Although there is a severe drought, Sabria and her family have some water to drink. (in
spite of + noun phrase)
In spite of a severe drought, Sabria and her family have some water to drink.
3 Although she doesn't go to school at the moment, Sabria hopes to return in the future.
(despite + -ing form)
Despite being unable to go to school at the moment, Sabria hopes to return in the future.
4 Although they have these problems, they remain positive. (in spite of + pronoun) 
In spite of they have these problems, they remain positive.
5 Although they work hard to look after their animals, there's nothing people can do when
there is no rain. (despite + -ing form) 
Despite being work hard to look after their animals, there’s nothing people can do when
there is no rain.

Raising money for charity

 When and why do people raise money for charity?
People do charity when there are peoples in urgent for help and to give them what they
need to help them stay alive.

Project: A charity fete

5.Work in groups. Organise a school fete for charity.
1. Plan the event.
 Decide on a charity.
Money, clothes, food, and books charity.
 Decide on a date, time and place.
Date: 4th April 2021
Time: 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Place: Main hall MRSM Tun Abdul Razak
 Decide how you are going to advertise it.
Posters and letters.
 Decide on the games and activities you’re going to have.
I’m going to have a funfair games and activities. I’m going to charge each game and use the
money for the charity.
Draft a letter to parents. Explain what you’re doing and why.

MRSM TUN ABDUL RAZAK

Km9, Jalan Kuantan - Pekan
Pulau Serai, 26600 Pekan,
Pahang.

23 MARCH 2021

Dear Parents,

On 4th APRIL from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., we are going to have a fete in the main hall. We are raising
money for 250,000 children in East African countries ( Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda and
Djibouti ). We’re doing this because we want to help someone in need. We plan to have several
games and activities. For example, balloon and dart. We hope to see you at the fete.
Your sincerely,
Class 8