环球英语—841：Listener Mail 117

Voice 1
Welcome to Spotlight’s listener mail program. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
Have you ever thought about what clean water could mean for a big community? Have you ever thought about the effect crying has on how you feel? Have you ever heard a story about love that changed your life? Many of our listeners have! These are just some of the subjects of recent Spotlight programs. Today’s Spotlight is on YOU! Today we read comments that listeners have shared about these subjects.
Voice 2
Our first comments come from the program “Clean Water, Healthy Economy”. In that program we told about a village in Yemen. Many people in this village were getting sick because they were drinking dirty water. Then they started testing a new kind of filter. The people poured the water through the filter. And the filter removed all harmful substances from it. Life in the village greatly improved. But the economy improved too. Clean water is important for health. And healthy people make an economy work better too. Tanya heard this program. She believes that everyone should be able to use a filter. She wrote:
Voice 3
“I think that in the modern world, each family should have a filter! Because of industry and some other water pollutants, we risk our health. We should filter water and take care of our health! Clean water, healthy nation!”
Voice 2
And Chuong Mai told us about one way people in Vietnam work together to clean up dirty water.
Voice 4
“A lot of families in Vietnam, especially in the country, are faced with polluted water. In Vietnam, there is a summer program called “The Green Summer”. Every summer, when the school term is finished, students from cities come to villages in the country. They help and support the people there to clean their water sources, repair houses, and teach the children. Students from other countries are also welcomed to the program.”
Voice 1
This sounds like a really great program! What a great way for students to become involved and improve lives in the community! Thank you for sharing this with us.
Voice 2
Our next comments come from the program “Crying For Health”. In this program we looked at why people cry. We also looked at how crying affects a person’s attitude and health. Studies have found that crying can make a person feel better, even if they are crying because they are sad. They have also found that crying with other people can make us feel better.
Voice 1
We asked you to tell us what your culture thinks about crying. Everyone cries. But, it is often difficult to talk about people crying. So, this was a very personal program for many people. Humble71 told us about his experiences.
Voice 4
“I have never joined someone as they cried in difficult or happy times. I have cried when I felt love for a woman, real love. And my tears were because I knew that the happiness was not for always. I knew that it would end. I think crying can help people reduce worry, but not all the time. In my country, when someone is crying, it means that the person is weak or is a woman. Generally, men do not cry about anything. The man is the support of the family.”
Voice 1
For others, crying WAS a healthy thing to do! For Anhnt2407, crying was a way to gain belief in herself. She writes:
Voice 5
“I cried about three months ago when I set my foot on Korean land. It was a difficult time for me in a strange country. I have known about Korea from Korean films, food and music. But it was a strange feeling when I came here... It was very difficult to communicate with people. We used mostly body movements to express what we wanted to say. After only one day, I went to a room alone. I sat down and started crying loudly and for a long time. But then I felt much better. I felt I had new energy to survive in this country... So I think crying is also a good action for people to make us stronger.”
Voice 1
And Ngaht288 believes in the healing power of crying - especially crying with other people. She says,
Voice 3
“As a woman, I also use crying as an effective tool to ease my pain or feel better. But I always cry quietly in the dark when I get in trouble. I do this because tears make people seem to be weaker or more like a child. The most important thing I recognize is the people who cry with me. When I share my feelings with my husband or my friend, it makes any problem easier. So, trying to find someone to share what has happened is a good method.”
Voice 1
But Nyamsuren had a less serious answer.
Voice 6
“The last time I cried was a few days ago when I was cleaning and cutting an onion. Maybe crying is calming for some people. But I can say one thing. I do not get calm when I am cutting an onion!”
Voice 2
Thanks Nyamsuren! We hope the next time you cut an onion, it will not make you cry too much! For others, crying can be a very good thing. It is sad that crying is seen as weak. Maybe in the future people will see it as a good way to stay healthy!
Voice 1
Our final comments today are on a love story! In the program “Lovers Reunited”, we told the story of a man and woman who fell in love. But then they were separated for over 50 years! By chance they met each other again. Finally, they are together. Some listeners told us about their own love stories! Vanes 1717 wrote:
Voice 7
“This story is so nice! I think that love, patience, faith and communication are the basic parts of life. When you have love, the barriers in your path do not matter. You could continue and reach your goals. For lovers there are no limits and no borders. If I could go back in time, I am sure that I would choose the same great man as my partner for the rest of my life. Thanks to my husband for his unending support!”
Voice 1
And GelezniyDen shared some advice for people who are in love.
Voice 4
“My girl and I have been together for five years. And we love each other. I just cannot imagine my life without her. Be happy people, and always love your second parts.”