B4 U3 Reading

READING

In 2010, several countries were affected by major earthquakes. Indonesia, Mexico, and Chile experienced a great deal of pain and loss because of the earthquakes. However, the most tragic situation occurred in Haiti. On January 12, a powerful earthquake struck this country and wiped out much of its capital, Port-au-Prince. ˙It took nature only a few seconds to change millions of people’s lives forever.

Port-au-Prince was like hell on earth. Over 200,000 people died, and more than a million others lost their homes and businesses. Survivors were left without food or clean water, and they faced the threat of diseases and thieves. What was worse, the government was unable to help its people because many government officials had been killed and their offices had been turned into piles of broken bricks in the disaster.

It didn’t take the artists in the United States much time to decide to help Haiti. A group of well-known artists got together to re­record the charity single “We Are the World.” This classic song, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, was originally recorded in 1985. At that time, the song was used to raise money for the poor in Africa. Now, the new version of the song is meant to help the people in Haiti. This new single contains a rap section, and it still keeps Michael Jackson’s part to show respect for the superstar. ˙After all, if he hadn’t written the original song, the new version might never have been recorded.

The deeper meaning of “We Are the World” is to remind us that human beings are one big family. When other people are suffering, we should come to their rescue. By offering help to others, our lives can become more meaningful and joyful. Moreover, the world will become a better place for the entire human race.

—by Jason Grenier

“We Are the World 25 for Haiti” (without the rap section)

There comes a time

When we heed a certain call,

When the world must come together as one.

There are people dying,

And it’s time to lend a hand to life—

the greatest gift of all.

We can’t go on

Pretending day by day

That someone, somehow will soon make a change.

We are all a part of God’s great big family,

And the truth, you know love is all we need.

[chorus]

We are the world.

(Nou se mond lan)

We are the children.

We are the ones who make a brighter day,

So let’s start giving.

There’s a choice we’re making.

We’re saving our own lives.

It’s true we’ll make a better day,

Just you and me.

Well, send them your heart,

So they’ll know that someone cares,

So their cries for help will not be in vain.

We can’t let them suffer.

No we cannot turn away.

Right now they need a helping hand.

[chorus]

When you’re down-and-out,

There seems no hope at all.

But if you just believe,

There’s no way we can fall.
Well, well, well, let us realize
That a change can only come
When we stand together as one.