Week 4 Post A

This section of reading showed the culture differences between Nigeria and England. Sade and Femi finally arrived safely in London and were surprised and amazed by all the modern buildings, since they are scarce in Nigeria, especially in the countryside.

When Sade and Femi enter school in London they also struggle to find friends. Due to their cultural differences with the english children, they aren't accepted well and many kids disrespect them and bully them. They still appreciate the opportunity to go study and learn in their english school, which is far superior in terms of education to the under-developed schools in Nigeria. Although the learning aspect is there, Sade and Femi miss their friends and classmates back in Nigeria, who treated them much better.

The children also aren't use to certain procedures, which have different meanings in Nigeria than in London. The author describes how uncomfortable Sade is about being fingerprinted. "He is tense because he thinks that fingerprinting is what they do to criminals. These children are in the care of Social Services and Mrs. Appaih from the Refugee Council is also working with them. They are not going to run away. I cannot see the point of putting him through this"(103).

Week 3 Post B

In this section of reading the author spent most of the time desribing the Nigerian airport and the emotions running through the minds of Sade and Femi as they were beginning their depressing journey away from their home and family to seek safety in London, which is a mysterious place to them. The children are still shocked and are stuggling to recover from the death of their mother.

I found it unique and interesting how the author incorporates point of view in her style of writing. She writes in a third person perspective, but describes things in the eyes of whoever she is talking about..."Ahead of them, a woman in a blue uniform was sweeping a thick black rod up and down people who had stepped through a metal door frame. It looked like some magic ritual" (74). This is the author(narrator) describing the scene in a third person point of view, but pretends to be unaware of what exactly the security person was doing, which means she is describing it in the eyes of Sade and Femi.

"It had been one of Sade's dreams to travel on an airplane. Papa and Mama had promised they would take them one day. But it was not meant to be like this. Tonight she was spinning into the darkness of space, let loose from almost everything and everyone she knew, except Femi. And he too was slipping from her fingers" (80).

This displays the misery Sade is suffering. She can't even enjoy the experience of riding an airplane for the first time, but more importantly she is being forced to leave everything behind, including her family and travel to a mysterious place.

Week 3 Post A

"It had been one of Sade's dreams to travel on an airplane. Papa and Mama had promised they would take him one day" (80).

This shows a cultural difference in a sad manner. In the U.S. and most developed countries flying is a popular means of travel, but not so much in Nigeria with their corrupt government. The quote also shows how even though Sade was getting to travel on the airplane, it didn't fulfill his dream.

Another difference to most countries is how close families are and how much time they spend together. Although here people value their families greatly, it isn't to the same extent as in Nigeria. Kids in the U.S. usually hang out with their friends on the weekdays and most of the weekend and then generally spend Sunday together with their family. On the other hand, in Nigeria kids tend to spend more time with their families on a daily basis.

Week 2 Post B

I read up to the part where Sade and Femi are dropped off at the airport to begin their journey to London. It seems like they are in danger at all times, due to the corrupt government and police. When Uncle Tunde was driving them to the airport they had to be put in the back with blankets covering them, to protect them from being recognized by the police. "I'm late, officer. My mother is coming to the airport now. I must be the first one she sets her eyes on. You know how it is with mothers!{...}Oh, it's only rubbish at the back officer"(26)! Uncle Tunde had to pursuade the officers by telling them that he is in a hurry and making himself look innocent. It's crazy that Sade and Femi have to worry about all these kinds of things, when most kids their age can just run around all day and have fun. They must act mature and learn how to handle themselves in scary situations. All of this was brought on them due to their father's actions. But the question is, is it worth telling and writing about the truth? Which connects to the title, "The Other Side of Truth." Sure, it will hopefully bring awareness to all the wrongdoings, but his wife was already killed and the lives of himself and the rest of his family is indanger. I think he's making the right decesion to keep doing what he's doing, since it is important and is something he values and he is also desperately trying to protect his children by sending them to London. Hopefully, the children remain safe and he is able to continue on with his profession.

Week 2 Post A

There hasn't been as much cultural differences displayed in this book so far, as I thought there would be. The main cultural difference though, that has reoccured throughout the book is the government. In the U.S. the government is suppose to help out the people and police officers are there to protect the law and help out people who are in trouble. As shown by Beverley Naidoo, the Nigerian government is corrupt and the people at the top of it only care about having power and wealth for themselves. Also, the police officers are just workers for the government and don't even help the people, even if they are in danger. An example of this is when the author is talking about Sade and Femi's feeling towardst the Nigerian police and how the officers rob civilians at random check points on the road. "Mostly taxi drivers with minibuses full of passengers had to pay up. Usually the policemen stared rudely at Papa, sometimes demanded money. Something in his manner must have warned them. But when Papa had driven on, his anger would erupt as he fumed about the daylight robbery of innocent people"(25). Clearly, the Nigerian police force as well as the government is unhelpful to the people, which is part of the reason Sade and Femi must flee London.

Research Project

I decided to research about aids and how it is affecting people in Africa and what the government should do to help prevent it.

Sites:
http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-6710&artno=0000269409&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Partnership%20Helps%20Improve%20Laboratory%20Systems%20in%20African%20Nations&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y database

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-6710&artno=0000268829&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Cutting%20the%20Risk&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y database

http://sks.sirs.com/cgi-bin/hst-article-display?id=SMN0307H-0-6710&artno=0000262509&type=ART&shfilter=U&key=&title=Lack%20of%20Medical%20Workers%20in%20Africa%20Stifles%20Efforts%20to%20Combat%20AIDS%2C%20TB&res=Y&ren=Y&gov=Y&lnk=N&ic=Y newpaper aricle

Week 1 Post B

This book takes place in Nigeria, and is about the lives of two children, Sade and Femi. Their father, Folarin is a reporter who is disliked and seen as a threat to the Nigerian government. He writes freely about controversial issues and also expresses his opinion freely, which is beginning to get him into a lot of trouble. Just recently his wife was murdered while walking home, which was meant to be a warning sign to Folarin to stop what he is doing and a punishment, because he has already croosed the line. Folarin is now trying to escape with his children to London, since he realizes the situation has gone out of control. But as he is about to leave, policemen break into his home and confiscate his passport. However, Uncle Tunde is able to find a woman who is willing to take Sade and Femi with fake passports. Hopefully, the plan works well and Sade and Femi are able to arrive safely to London. It must be tough for them to leave their lives in Nigeria, even though it's for the better, the hardest part for them is that they aren't allowed to tell anyone, not even their closest friends.