英语听力—环球英语 1236 HelpAge International

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Welcome to Spotlight¹. I’m Ryan Geertsma.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I’m Robin² Basselin. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“We believe older people have much to add to society. And what they offer is more valuable than we can express. Yet older people remain some of the poorest and worst cared for individuals in the world. We are devoted³ to helping⁴ them claim their rights, fight unfair treatment and defeat poverty.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　These are the words of HelpAge International. This organization’s goal is to improve the lives of older people. And their work is changing the lives of many older people all over the world. Today’s Spotlight is on HelpAge International.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Many people value the dreams of children. It is easy to see why. Children have many years of life remaining. There is much hope for them to do great things. It is good to help children achieve their dreams. But they are not the only group of people that need help with their dreams. There are many older people around the world that have dreams too - dreams for a better future.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　There are many false ideas about older people. For example, many people believe that older people are almost done with their lives. They believe that older people are weak citizens - that they have nothing to offer. Others believe that older people are no longer able to learn new skills. For these reasons, many people see no need to invest⁵ in the lives and dreams of older people.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　HelpAge International does not believe these ideas are true. The group wants to rid the world of these false ideas. They believe older people have many skills and much to offer. But they also recognize that older people are at risk. In a 2011 report on ageing, HelpAge wrote,

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“Our rights do not change as we grow older. What does change is that older women and men are considered to be naturally less valuable to society. At the same time, as people get older, they face increasing barriers to their involvement in society. They depend more on other people and they lose some or all of their personal independence. These issues can make them more in danger of poor care, physical harm and the breaking of their rights.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The number of older people in the world is increasing quickly. HelpAge’s website says that by 2050, 20% of the world’s people will be over the age of 60. This means there will be more older people living on earth than children. Today, almost 70% of all older people live in poverty. But HelpAge believes this can change in the future.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　HelpAge International believes that older people are survivors⁶. They have lived long lives and they have defeated many problems. They have many ideas about how to improve their communities. HelpAge believes that everyone can learn from older people. This is why the organization includes older people in the process of creating solutions for their own problems.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　HelpAge serves older people in five main ways. First, the organization works⁷ with older men and women to help them receive wages. Sometimes this means helping them claim wages from government programs or job pensions⁹. Some countries require companies to save money in such pension⁸ programs. Then, they give workers this money when the workers become too old to work. In countries where these kinds of pension and programs do not exist, HelpAge prepares older individuals for new jobs.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Tubakwerwa is a 58 year old woman from Uganda. Her husband died, so she now works to support seven grandchildren. She told HelpAge,

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　"Before my husband died, I used to work on the farm, growing fruit and vegetables. The produce was just for feeding the family.”

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　As she grew older, farm work became more difficult. She also needed to earn more money to support her grandchildren. HelpAge's partner in Uganda is Uganda Reach the Aged¹⁰ Association¹¹. They provided¹² Tubakwerwa with a business loan¹³. She used the money to invest in a small market store. She now sells fruit and vegetables. The work is still hard, but she is able to support her family. And Tubakwerwa’s work is helping to care for the next generation.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　HelpAge also helps older people with health care and services. They help people find doctors. They also help them get good service for a good price. But their health services do not end there. HelpAge Asia has begun a very successful training program. They train older people in home health care and health awareness¹⁴. Older individuals learn to measure blood pressure and sugar levels. They also learn how to give simple health tests. With these new skills, they can help themselves and other older people in their community.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　A third way HelpAge supports older people is through emergency and disaster services. During disasters like war, floods, and earthquakes, older people can be especially at risk. Many have difficulty moving quickly. Others need special medicines and foods that are difficult to find in a disaster. For this reason, HelpAge supports medical care for older disaster victims. They also provide shelter and support after disasters strike.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Hurbain Julien is 82 and his wife Sunzanne Lucien is 62. They are from Haiti. They lived through the terrible earthquake in 2010. Now, they live in a refugee¹⁵ camp, like many other Haitians. They have no electricity or running water. They also care for two of their grandchildren. Life is difficult, but HelpAge is working to make it better.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　HelpAge gave Hurbain and Suzanne a Tough Stuff¹⁶ Kit¹⁷ over a year ago. This case contained a mobile¹⁸ telephone charger, a light and a sun-powered radio. These supplies have helped Hurbain and Suzanne to be more independent. Hurbain told HelpAge,

 

　　Voice 5

 

　　“Before, we had to stop what we were doing early. Now we have the light. We can continue reading or even walk around the camp. Our children can also come visit us at night. We feel a lot safer…We feel less alone.”

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The fourth way HelpAge is supporting older people is by helping them claim their human rights. HelpAge teaches older people about their rights. Once they know their rights, they can fight for equal treatment more easily. HelpAge also works with governments and local communities. They work to change unequal laws. And they educate younger people about treating older people fairly and kindly¹⁹.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The last way HelpAge serves older people is by connecting local, national and global organizations that work to help older people. HelpAge International works with over 85 organizations in over 50 countries.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　HelpAge International believes that a person is never too old to dream. They listen to the dreams of older people because they believe older people are resources, not problems. And because of that, older people all over the world are living their dreams! Dreams that serve them and the next generation.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The writers of today's programme were Rebekah Schipper and Robin Basselin. The producer was Mark Drenth. The voices you heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. You can find our programs on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net This .programme is called "HelpAge International."

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 robin   

n.知更鸟，红襟鸟

参考例句：

• The robin is the messenger of spring.知更鸟是报春的使者。
• We knew spring was coming as we had seen a robin.我们看见了一只知更鸟，知道春天要到了。

3 devoted   

adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的

参考例句：

• He devoted his life to the educational cause of the motherland.他为祖国的教育事业贡献了一生。
• We devoted a lengthy and full discussion to this topic.我们对这个题目进行了长时间的充分讨论。

4 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。

5 invest   

v.投资；投入(时间等)；授予，赋予

参考例句：

• I have decided to invest in a new car.我已经决定买一辆新汽车。
• The best time to invest is now.现在是投资的最佳时机。

6 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

7 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

8 pension   

n.退休金，年金，抚恤金；v.发给退休金

参考例句：

• The country provided a pension to the old person.国家给老人们提供养老金。
• She went to the company to draw her pension.她去公司领退休金。

9 pensions   

n.退休金，养老金( pension的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Pensions are linked to inflation, whereas they should be linked to the cost of living. 养老金与通货膨胀挂钩，然而它们其实应该和生活费用挂钩。 来自辞典例句
• At the moment they are existing on pensions that are subsidised by the government. 此刻他们正依靠政府发放的养老金维持生计。 来自辞典例句

10 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

11 association   

n.联盟，协会，社团；交往，联合；联想

参考例句：

• Our long association with your company has brought great benefits.我方和贵公司的长期合作带来了巨大的利益。
• I broke away from the association ten years ago.我10年前就脱离了那个团体。

12 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。

13 loan   

n.贷款；借出的东西；借；vt.借出；贷予

参考例句：

• I asked the bank to help me with a loan.我请银行给我一笔贷款。
• Has the bank okayed your request for a loan?银行批准你的贷款要求了吗？

14 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

15 refugee   

n.难民，流亡者

参考例句：

• The refugee was condemned to a life of wandering.这个难民注定要过流浪的生活。
• The refugee is suffering for want of food and medical supplies.难民苦于缺少食物和医药用品。

16 stuff   

n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱

参考例句：

• We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
• He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。

17 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。

18 mobile   

adj.可移动的，易变的，机动的；n.运动物体

参考例句：

• The old lady sits on a mobile chair every morning.那位老妇人每天上午坐在一把可携带使用的椅子上。
• She's much more mobile now that she's bought a car.自从她买了汽车后，活动量就大多了。

19 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。