Rida, the street child

Rida's Story

Rida was a twelve-year-old girl. She lived with her parents in a village called Lumuli. Her family was very poor. Although she lived in very poor conditions, Rida did well in her studies. When she was in Standard Five, the English language teacher asked Rida what she wanted to do when she grew up. Rida said that she wanted to be a pilot. The teacher asked her, "Do you know the subjects you should study in order to become a pilot?" Rida said, "Yes, I do. In order to be a pilot, I should study English, physics, geography, and mathematics." The teacher was surprised that Rida knew the subjects she should study to be a pilot. Then, the teacher advised her to work hard to achieve her goals.

Unfortunately, a few days later, Rida stopped going to school. No one knew the reason why she left school. One afternoon, Rida's best friend, Nasira, decided to visit her home after school hours. At Rida's home, Nasira met Rida's parents. Nasira asked them about Rida's whereabouts. The parents told Nasira that Rida was not at home. They said that she had left for town to work as a housemaid. Realizing that her friend had become a school dropout, Nasira cried bitterly.

On the following day, Nasira went to school early in the morning and told the teacher about Rida. She said that Rida had been sent to town to work as a housemaid. The teacher felt sorry for her because, at the age of twelve, she was not supposed to work as a housemaid. It was against the law. The law states that children at the age of twelve should not be employed to work anywhere. The teacher said that Rida was cleaning the house, washing clothes, cooking, and taking care of children. Her parents took all the money.

Six months later, Rida was tired of working as a housemaid. She decided to go back home. At home, her mother was angry with her. She ordered Rida to go back and continue working. Rida went to join the street children because she did not like to work as a housemaid. Rida's life on the streets was very hard. She became a beggar. She slept in unfinished houses and suffered from hunger and diseases. As life got worse and worse, Rida felt like a neglected orphan. She wished she could find a way out of the street life.

One day, Mr. Jumanne, the Ward Executive Officer of Mzizima, talked to Rida and other street children. He asked each of them questions about their families. Rida told him everything about her family and the problems she was facing. The Ward Executive Officer felt sorry for her. He promised to take her to school again. After five days, he came back to take Rida to her parents. He told them that Rida had to go back to school. They should not send her to work in town again.

The following day, the Ward Executive Officer took her to school. Rida worked hard and completed Standard Seven. Surprisingly, she was selected to join a special school for her secondary education.

Questions

1. What is the name of Rida's best friend?
2. How old was Rida?
3. What domestic activities did Rida do in town?
4. Where did Rida's parents live?
5. Who took Rida back to school?
6. In which subject did Rida and her classmates learn about different jobs?
7. Why did Rida want to go home?
8. What will you do if your parents ask you to become a housemaid?

Rearrange the following sentences to form a paragraph

(a) The other pupils did not know.

(b) Unfortunately, a few days later, Rida stopped going to school.

(c) Then the teacher told her to work hard to achieve her goals.

(d) Rida said she wanted to be a pilot.

(e) One day, the English language teacher asked Rida about what she would like to be when she grew up.

(f) Rida was twelve years old.

(g) Later, Nasira found out that her friend was a housemaid in town.