Voice 1
Hello, I’m Ruby Jones.
Voice 2
And I’m Ryan Geerstma. Welcome to Spotlight. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
London. The 13th of April 2008. Grey clouds hang heavy with rain. But the bad weather does not seem to trouble the gathered crowds. They are standing patiently behind metal barriers. The barriers keep the centre of the road clear. Some people are carrying coloured flags. Other people hold up large signs with different names on them. The atmosphere is tense but exciting! Suddenly, part of the crowd begins to cheer. “Here they come!” somebody shouts. Everybody looks in the same direction. In the distance, thousands of people are running towards them. The waiting crowds start to shout and cheer and wave their flags and pieces of paper. They are there to support these runners. They are there to encourage them to keep going. They are there to witness one of the most famous races in the world - the London Marathon!
Voice 2
Many runners pass by the crowds. Most wear normal running clothes and shoes. But some of them are wearing strange clothes. They look like characters from a film or a television programme. The crowds cheer and laugh as these runners pass by. But one group of six young men receives an especially loud cheer. No one else is wearing clothes and shoes like theirs! And they are surely the only runners carrying African weapons - large protective shields and sticks! So who are they? And why are they running in the London Marathon?
Voice 1
The six young men are a long way from home. They come from Tanzania, a country in central Africa. They are members of the Maasai tribe. Maasai people are nomads. They move around with their animals when they need to find new supplies of food and water. When they have found a good place, they settle there for as long as those supplies last.
Voice 2
Young Maasai men are called “warriors”. It is true that they carry the weapons of war: swords, shields and spears. But they would only use these weapons to protect their families and animals. And, as well as protection, the warriors’ job is also to provide food. But this is becoming more and more difficult. The government has claimed much of the traditional Maasai land. They have used it to create national wildlife parks. These are places where visitors can come and safely experience Tanzania’s natural beauty. And the visitors’ money provides much needed help for Tanzania’s economy.
Voice 1
It is important, then, for the Maasai to get the most from the land that they can still use. But an ever-present problem is finding water. Often, people have to walk for many hours to find a clean supply. In the Maasai village of Eluai, two out of every three children die because of the dirty water. So, six young warriors from Eluai decided to do something about the situation in their village. They looked for a way to raise money. They wanted to pay for water engineers to come to their village. The engineers would bring machines to drill deep holes to try and find water underground. But the cost would be one hundred and twenty thousand [120,000] dollars. How were they going to find such a large amount of money?
Voice 2
Greenforce is an environmental aid organisation. It works in areas where the environment is threatened in some way. Greenforce works with local communities in these areas. It advises them on how best to manage their environment while keeping their traditional way of life. There were Greenforce workers in Eluai village at the time the people were thinking about the cost of the water project!
Voice 1
The six young warriors had an idea of how to raise money. And they explained their plan to the Greenforce workers. What do Maasai warriors do best? Run very long distances! So, why not travel to London to run the marathon race? This would inform people about the lack of water in their village. And, if people wanted to help, they could give them money!
Voice 2
Everybody in the village loved the idea. So, Greenforce entered the six warriors into the London Marathon. The marathon race organiser is Dave Bedford. He said:
Voice 3
“We are very happy to offer help to these Maasai warriors. They want to raise money for their village. And water is something that we here all accept without question. It will be great to see two different cultures coming together at this sporting event. They will help a deserving project. We support it one hundred percent.”
Voice 1
And so, on the thirteenth of April, the six Maasai warriors joined thousands of other runners around the streets of London. They wore traditional Maasai clothes. And they ran in shoes made from old rubber car tyres. One of the warriors is Ngouvu. He remembers:
Voice 4
“The crowds, they cheered us a lot. It was a big noise. They all clapped and said: ”Maasai come on, Maasai come on” almost all the way. It was a little cold but lots of fun. We wanted to make enough money for the water equipment our village needs. We do not have rain like here in Britain so we need a little help.”
Voice 2
Sadly, only four of the six warriors finished the forty-two [42] kilometre race that day. One of them, Isaya, became sick half way through. Race officials took him to hospital and another warrior, Taico, went with him for company. But the Maasai warriors are very proud people. And nothing would stop Isaya from finishing the race that he had come to run! He left hospital the following day. And Isaya and Taico completed the remaining twenty-one [21] kilometres - encouraged by some other people who ran with them!
Voice 1
People everywhere heard about the Maasai warriors’ desire to help their community. Soon, the target of one hundred and twenty thousand [120,000] dollars was reached! The warriors had achieved their goal. They returned to their village as proud men. They had acted to help their community - and earned international respect for it. And, they continue to run - not under the grey clouds of London! But back under their beautiful African skies once again.
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