Spotlight

5915 Yani Tseng: I Keep Learning

01 December, 2013

Photo Credit: Keith Allison, via Flickr

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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Robin Basselin.

Voice 2

And Im Ryan Geertsma. 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

A young woman stands on a field of green grass. She has short, dark hair and intense eyes. With
both hands, she holds a long, thin metal golf club. In the distance, there is a small flag marking a hole
in the ground. That hole is the womans target. She raises the club to her side and up behind her
back. Then she moves it forward with one quick motion. The bottom of the club hits a small, white
ball. It hits with amazing power. The ball flies almost ninety meters through the air. It lands safely on
an area of green grass. Crowds of people cheer for the woman. She raises her head and begins
walking. She is smiling and talking to the crowd. She is full of joy and energy. This is the famous
female golf player Yani Tseng. Todays Spotlight is on Yani Tseng, her success and her desire to
never give up!

Voice 2

People began playing golf in the 15th century. The sport started in the country of Scotland. But since
that early time, golf has spread around the world. Today, millions of people play golf for fun. But a
few, very skilled players are professionals - they are golfers that compete for awards and money.

Voice 1

Yani Tseng is one of these professional golfers. However, she is not just any professional golfer. She
is the worlds best female golf player. In 2011, she was rated the number one golf player on the
Official World Womens Golf Ranking List. This is a major honor. And the surprising thing is: Yani
Tseng is only twenty two years old.

Voice 2

Yani Tseng is from the country of Taiwan. She was born in 1989. And she began playing golf when
she was only 6 years old. When she was 12, she decided to become a professional golfer. Yani knew
this dream was big. And she knew it would not be easy. But her family supported her goal. Yani
remembers this time well. She talked with the China Times Group about it. She explained that her
father paid for the many competition costs. She said,

Voice 3

"This let me learn to be fearless and not be afraid of failing. It is possible that I was even influenced by
my father's character. I always continued to fight even after I suffered repeated defeats."

Voice 1

As a young woman, Yani began to win more and more golf games in Taiwan. But then she began
playing internationally. There, the level of competition was greater than she had imagined. She lost
many games, but she continued to compete. Many golfers would have stopped playing. But Yani did
not. And Yanis years of hard work and struggle turned into success.

Voice 2

In 2008, Yani became the youngest Taiwanese woman to become part of the Ladies Professional
Golf Association or LPGA. And later that year, she was given the best new LPGA player award.
However, this was only the beginning of her professional success. In 2010, Yani won two major golf
competitions. Few professionals achieve this kind of success! And that year, Yani also won the
LPGAs highest award - the Rolex Player of the Year. 2011 has also been a great year for Yanis
golfing. She is now listed first on the Official World Womens Golf Ranking List.

Voice 1

With all this success, people may think Yani is completely different than most 22 year old women. But
they would be wrong! Yani may have amazing skill. She may also have experienced many things
other young women have not. But even with these differences, Yani is still very normal in many ways.
Yani likes to watch films and spend time with friends. She is extremely friendly. And she enjoys
playing many sports. And like many young people, Yani is still working on her education.

Voice 2
One main part of her education has been learning English. This has not been an easy goal. And Yani
has spent much time working on her English in the last few years. In fact, after winning the 2010
Player of the Year award, Yani took time off from her golf competitions. Instead, she spent a month
attending daily English classes. She has already learned a lot of English, but she still wants to
improve. She told an NBC reporter about the recent classes,

Voice 3

I would go to school in the morning, then I would play golf in the afternoon. I want to improve my
English so I can share my story better with people. I do not think many people know I can speak a bit
of English. But I like to speak with people, so this helps.

Voice 1

Yani has many chances to use her English. She now lives and trains in the United States. And many
days, she has to talk to English speaking reporters. She knows her English has improved over the
years. And she recognizes that it is making a difference. She told NBC,

Voice 3

It makes me more brave. I can tell some jokes. And it helps me when I am playing golf and talking
with people - I am not afraid to speak with people now.

Voice 2

But Yani does not want to stop with her own education. She told the China Times Group,

Voice 3

I dream of establishing a school for young children - a school that would combine education and
sports...I believe sport can change a persons life. If I did not play golf, I would not have the chance to
meet many different people.

Voice 1

Yani Tseng has definitely had an amazing few years. However, all of her success began with
struggle. She remembers the many, many golf games she lost as a child. But she also remembers
that she never stopped competing. In the same way, Yani has not stopped working on her education.
She often feared speaking English in public. She told NBC,

Voice 3

When I was young, during my first year of playing golf, I did not speak much English. I was afraid to
speak to reporters. I was always smiling. When people were talking to me, I was just smiling. But not
now. Now, I have been talking more and I keep learning.

Voice 2

It is this attitude that has made Yani a success - both in golf and in English learning. She will not stop
trying or stop learning. And with this attitude, who knows what this young woman will do in the future!

Voice 1

The writer of this program was Robin Basselin. The producer was Ryan Geertsma. The voices you
heard were from the United States. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. You can find our
programs on the internet at http://www.RadioEnglish.net. This program is called, Yani Tseng: I Keep
Learning.

We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/yani-tseng-i-keep-learning#sthash.H72vCGPA.dpuf

5921

Helping Small Business in the

Philippines
08 December, 2013

Small village shop built with bamboo.

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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Liz Waid.

Voice 2

And Im 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

A group of women gather together. They live in the city of Manila, in the Philippines. They talk
excitedly with other. The women do activities together. They even learn some songs. These women
are all small business owners. They each own a small store. Today they are at a training event led by
the Hapinoy program. Hapinoy works with women who own small stores in the Philippines. They
provide training, loans and networking. And they have been seeing positive results. Todays Spotlight
is on the Hapinoy Program.
Voice 2

Visit any town in the Philippines and you will find sari-sari stores. These small neighbourhood stores
are located where people live. Many brightly coloured packages hang from their ceilings. They sell
basic products that people use every day. This includes products like soap to wash with or salt and
flour for cooking. But sari-sari stores sell these things in small amounts. This makes it easier for
people who cannot pay for large amounts. People can buy just what they need for the day.

Voice 1

The sari-sari is also a place for people to gather. Men and women sit on long wooden benches. They
talk and enjoy drinks. Children eat snack food. This is a very common part of life in the Philippines.
There are about 800,000 of these small stores in the country. Thirty to forty percent of all store sales
in the Philippines are through sari-sari stores.

Voice 2

Most sari-sari store owners are women. Women operate the small stores from their own houses. They
hope to make some extra money for their families. But most of the women are not trained in business.
They may borrow money to open their store. Sometimes this leads to increasing debt. Sari-sari
owners may also have problems with too many people buying products from their store on credit. Or
they may find that their family members take things from the store without asking or paying.

Voice 1

Microventures is a local Filipino organization that works with sari-sari stores. Microventures saw that
the sari-sari owners had some particular needs. So in 2007 they began the Hapinoy program.
Hapinoy provides sari-sari store owners with training and fair loans. It also provides a social and
business network for small stores in the Philippines. This network helps the store owners
communicate and trade with each other. Bam Aquino, Michelle Pabalan and Mark Ruiz started
Microventures. Bam Aquino talked to reporter Stella Arnoy about Hapinoy. He explained why this
company began the Hapinoy program:

Voice 3

There are a lot of NGOs and social development organizations. But when it comes to business
development for the very small business person, there is a large hole. That is one area we see in
terms of getting the poor out of poverty. There are loans, there is capital, but there is no help to get
their businesses to a higher level.

Voice 2

The Hapinoy program begins working with store owners through training events. These events are
like the one described at the beginning of this program. Maribel Tolentino is a sari-sari owner. She
received training through Hapinoy. Tolentino talked to reporter Stella Arnoy. Tolentino described the
skills she learned through the training. By collecting debts from her customers, she had better cash
flow, with more money in her business.

Voice 4

I learned how to keep a more correct record of my store sales. I noticed that my sales and cash flow
had become better after this. I asked my customers nicely to pay their debts first. Then I said I would
sell them anything from the store after. They were angry at me in the beginning. I suppose they later
understood that it was necessary. I was just trying to make a living. Now even my own kids have
learned to save up, and they use their own money to buy goods from the store to take to school.

Voice 1
The training helps store owners make more money. Hapinoy says that after the training most store
owners make 20% more money every day. Nanay Remy owned a store for many years before joining
Hapinoy. The Hapinoy website records her story:

Voice 5

Record keeping is one of the skills that Nanay Remy learned through the Hapinoy training program.
Before Hapinoy she had never once made a list of her sales and costs. She admits that at first, it felt
like it took too much energy and time to keep a record of everything. But she continued and forced
herself to do it. Soon, she was able to see and record exactly how much she had earned each day.
She could also see where her money was going. Provided with the right knowledge and skills like this,
she is now able to manage her store better. Although she is old, Nanay Remy is more excited about
running her store than ever.

Voice 2

After an average of ten months of training, the store owners can receive a loan. This money helps the
store owners increase their business. They pay it back as they make money from their store. Many
store owners use the loan to expand into other kinds of business. These include businesses such as
bakeries that make and sell bread and sweets. Some of them rent cell phones or even have an
internet cafe.

Voice 1

The sari-sari store is also well placed to have a positive effect in the community. The store can supply
basic medicines or technology. For example, some sari-saris offer solar lamps. These lights use the
power of the sun for energy. People who do not have dependable electricity can use them at any
time.

Voice 2

The women who own sari-sari stores see many benefits of the training. They are able to support their
families. They can help their children get a good education. And they are connected to a large
network of other sari-sari owners. This is a business group but it is also social support. The women
meet together to encourage each other. They help each other with their businesses.

Voice 1

Hapinoy plans to continue its work to help train and empower more women who own small
businesses. They are partnering with many organizations such as Coca-Cola and Mastercard. They
plan to reach more and more of the sari-sari owners in the Philippines. And through the sari-saris,
they hope to improve life for the whole community.

Voice 2

The writer of this program was Rena Dam. The producer was Michio Ozaki. The voices you heard
were from the United States. All quotes were adapted for this program and voiced by Spotlight. You
can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net. This
program is called, Helping Small Business in the Philippines.

Voice 1

You can also leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us at radio@radioenglish.net.
You can also find us on Facebook - just search for spotlightradio. We hope you can join us again for
the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.

- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/helping-small-business-in-the-

philippines#sthash.79QcPYqW.dpuf

5922
[repeat of 5372]

Seaspeak
08 December, 2013

Buoy and boat

Photo Credit: Kai Schreiber, via Flickr
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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Colin Lowther.

Voice 2

And Im Marina Santee. 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

How do I get a message to you? I say some words. You hear them. I pass a message to you. People
pass messages to each other every day. Some we understand, some we do not. It is not an exact
science. If we are just discussing what film to see, then it does not matter if we take a little time to
understand each other. But what if we are on a ship and we need to send a message? What if we are
the crew of the ship and it is sinking?

Voice 3
Mayday, mayday. Mayday mayday. M V Maria aground at Bishop Rock. Mayday, mayday. Mayday
mayday. MV Maria aground at Bishop Rock. Mayday, mayday.

Voice 2

In the 1960s the United States and Britain were the worlds greatest sea going nations. Eighty percent
of crews were native English speakers. By the end of the 1970s the situation was the opposite. Eighty
percent of crews did not speak English as a first language. Even on a ship, crews did not all speak the
same language.

Voice 1

The problem was clear. Miscommunication could cause serious accidents. To keep the seas safe, the
shipping industry would have to find a new way to communicate. This method could be used on a
ship, and between ships.

Voice 2

Experts in language worked closely with experts in shipping. They produced a new way of speaking.
The new language was called Seaspeak. The International Maritime Organisation made Seaspeak
the official language of the seas in 1988. Seaspeak defined the rules of how to talk on the radio
between ships.

Voice 1

In the official book of Seaspeak, it says that messages between ships should be of direct interest to
the crew. Messages should be short and clear. Such messages should be in words simple enough for
a non-native speaker of English to understand.

Voice 2

There is a list of about five thousand words in Seaspeak. Some of these words are in general use by
all English speakers. And some of the words are special to ships and the sea. But there is another
very important thing about Seaspeak. It uses seven really important words, called message markers.
A message marker tells the listener what kind of message is coming. Message markers are words
such as; Question, Warning, Information. We will try an example. But first, we should talk about
buoys.

Voice 1

Buoys are not young men! This kind of buoy is spelled B-U-O-Y. Buoys are the colourful metal objects
floating in the water where ships pass by. These metal buoys stay in the same place. Ropes tie them
to a fixed point at the bottom of the sea. Buoys help the crew of a ship to know where they are - to
know their position. Sometimes they mark dangerous places - like places that are not deep enough
for big ships.

Voice 2

Now here is the example of Seaspeak;

Voice 3

Warning; buoy number two five and buoy number two six have no lights.

Voice 4

Warning; received. Two five and two six, no lights.

Voice 2
You can hear how this works. The man on the first ship begins with a message marker. In this
example the message marker is the word warning. The message that follows is a warning. The ship
tells another ship that there is some danger. The buoy normally has a light, but today the light is out.
Here is another message marker;

Voice 3

Question; what is your estimated time of arrival at buoy number two five?

Voice 4

Answer; estimated time of arrival at buoy number two five, one four three zero UTC.

Voice 1

This example is a question, not a warning. One ship is asking what time the other ship will arrive at
buoy number twenty-five. The other ship then says Answer. The word, answer is another message
marker. It shows that the information that follows is the answer to the question.

Voice 2

Did you observe another thing about Seaspeak? Numbers in English have lots of names. Numbers
from one to twenty all have their own names. Every tenth number after that has a name; twenty, thirty,
forty and so on. Some of the names sound alike; such as thirty and thirteen. Seaspeak keeps it
simple! You just say the number by its individual parts. Twenty five becomes two five. Twenty six
becomes two six. You tell the time by giving four numbers. One four three zero means fourteen thirty
hours, or half past two. This makes life much easier for crews who do not normally use the English
language.

Voice 1

It also makes life safer. Using Seaspeak, ships can give information about their position in the sea.
This can prevent crashes between ships. In an accident, good communication can help another ship
to arrive quickly. It can also help crews on the ship to communicate and follow safety rules. Close to
land, controllers use Seaspeak to guide ships. Using Seaspeak means that all the ships can follow
their guidance.

Voice 2

Edward Johnson is a professor from Wolfson College in Cambridge, England. He is one of the people
who created Seaspeak. Edward Johnson has been interested in languages since he was a young
man. He also has a great love of the sea. As a young man, he spent a lot of time sailing with friends.
In Seaspeak, Johnson combined his love of the sea with being an expert in languages. This meant
that his young life as a sailor was not wasted time!

Voice 1

Johnson has gone on to design special kinds of English for the police, medical workers and fire
fighters. Maybe we could all help each other by speaking more simply. If I met one of my friends, I
could have my message marker ready!

Voice 3

Question; how are you today?

Voice 4

Answer; I am all right.

Voice 3

Information; the cafe is open at one zero zero zero.

Voice 4

Information received.

Voice 3

Request; can I buy you a coffee?

Voice 4

Request received, yes, buy me a coffee, thank you.

Voice 2

It is a bit strange to talk this way. But it is worth thinking about. How well do we send and receive
messages? It could improve communication if we used the simplest, clearest words. And if we answer
clearly when a person asks a question, that also would make it easier for them to understand .

Voice 1

Let us say goodbye to Spotlight listeners in our new language, Seaspeak. Are you ready?

Voice 2

Yes I am ready.

Voice 1

Information; Peter Laverock wrote this programme. Nick Mangeolles wrote this programme.

Voice 2

Information received. Peter Laverock and Nick Mangeolles .

Voice 1

Request; go to the website to listen and read. Website is http://www.radioenglish.net

Voice 2

Request received; going to website http://www.radioenglish.net

Voice 1

Advice; the name of this programme is Seaspeak.

Voice 2

Advice received; the name is Seaspeak.

Voice 1

Bon voyage Spotlight.

Voice 2
Spotlight standing by.

- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/seaspeak1#sthash.0lJykumx.dpuf

5923
[repeat of 5361]

Ao Dai: Vietnams Traditional Clothing

08 December, 2013

Phan Khanh Ly modelling her Ao Dai.

Photo Credit: Listener Trinh Pham Van
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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Ryan Geertsma.

Voice 2

And Im Liz Waid. 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

Vu Ngoc Anh stands on a performance stage. Bright lights shine on her from above. Hundreds of
people are watching her. They are interested in her beautiful clothing. She is wearing a kind of
traditional Vietnamese clothing called an Ao Dai or Ao Dai. Ngoc Anh walks slowly across the stage.
Her Ao Dai moves gently side to side. This is because it is made of silk - a light, flowing material. The
Ao Dai is two pieces of clothing trousers, and a long fitted shirt or gown. Ngoc Anhs trousers are
white. Her gown is a golden, yellow color. It covers her arms, down to her wrists. And it fits tightly
around her chest and neck. It hangs almost to the ground. The gown is split. It opens on the sides
from her waist to the floor. As Ngoc Anh walks across the floor, she looks as if she is floating.

Voice 2

On that night, Vu Ngoc Anh won the 2012 Miss Vietnam Ao Dai competition. The judges thought she
looked the most beautiful in her Ao Dai. Achieving the title Miss Ao Dai is a great honor. This is
because the Ao Dai is more than just traditional Vietnamese clothing. It is a symbol of the history and
beauty of the Vietnamese culture and people. Todays Spotlight is on the Vietnamese Ao Dai.

Voice 1

The Ao Dai has a long history in Vietnam. Experts believe forms of the Ao Dai have existed for
hundreds of years.

Voice 2

Traditional Chinese clothing has influenced the history of the Ao Dai. In the 1600s and 1700s Chinese
rulers occupied the land of Vietnam. People were required to wear traditional Chinese clothing.
Vietnamese clothing designers began to change the design of the traditional Chinese clothing. They
created early forms of the Ao Dai to show Vietnams separate and independent culture. During this
time, members of the Vietnamese ruling family began wearing these early forms of the Ao Dai. And
both men and women wore them.

Voice 1

In 1802, there was a Vietnamese leader called Gia Long. He freed Vietnam from Chinese rule.
Before this time, people in different areas of Vietnam wore different forms of the early Ao Dai. But
designers began to combine the different regional designs. The result was a form of the Ao Dai called
the Ngu Than. From 1820-1841 rulers made the Ngu Than Vietnams official national clothing.

Voice 2

For the next 50 years, a new foreign power ruled Vietnam. France claimed Vietnam as a colony.
During this time, many people began wearing clothes influenced by Western design. However, some
Vietnamese designers reacted against this foreign cultural influence - just like they had when China
ruled over Vietnam.
Voice 1

During the 1920s and 30s, designers in Hanoi began re-designing the Ngu Than. The most famous
designer was Cat Tuong, also known as Le Mur. This new design was particularly for women. The
designers used some of the new French or western design influences. But, what they designed was
not western. Instead, it was a modern version of Vietnams traditional clothing - what people today
call the Ao Dai.

Voice 2

The modern Ao Dai became very popular in parts of Vietnam after the end of French rule. The Ao Dai
was most popular from 1960-1975. After 1975, Vietnamese women wore the Ao Dai less often. The
Vietnamese economy was struggling and most people did not think the Ao Dai was necessary.

Voice 1

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Ao Dai experienced a new growth in popularity. In 1989, a Ho
Chi Minh City newspaper began the first Miss Ao Dai competition. Sixteen thousand people
attended the competition. But this was only the beginning of the Ao Dais new popularity. From Ho
Chi Minh City, Miss Ao Dai competitions spread around the world - to places like Long Beach,
California in the United States and the city of Toronto, Canada. Today, there are many countries that
have large populations of Vietnamese immigrants. When these people moved out of Vietnam, they
brought the Ao Dai with them.

Voice 2

Originally, each womans Ao Dai was custom made. Ao Dai makers sewed each Ao Dai using only a
needle, thread and her hands. A woman visited her Ao Dai maker many times to make sure her Ao
Dai fit perfectly. Today, factories have begun to produce Ao Dais in large numbers. These Ao Dais
are sold in Vietnam and around the world. The export of the Ao Dai has influenced global clothing
designers as far away as Paris, France and New York City.

Voice 1

Unlike many forms of traditional clothing, the Ao Dai is still worn by many Vietnamese women. And
wearing the Ao Dai has special meaning. Kimlai is a Vietnamese American writer. On her website,
she explained what the Ao Dai meant to her as a child.

Voice 3

I remember when I was a little girl. I would walk into my mom and dads rooms. Behind the door
hung long pieces of fabric. I knew these beautiful pieces of material were going to be made into Ao
Dais...I remember staring up at my mom when she wore her Ao Dai. I would think how beautiful she
looked. I could not wait until I could have an Ao Dai for myself.

Voice 2

We asked Vietnamese Spotlight listeners when Vietnamese women wear the Ao Dai. Listener Cong
Le explained,

Voice 4

Women usually wear the Ao Dai during official holiday celebrations.

Voice 1

Listener Trinh Hoang said,

Voice 5
I think all women in Vietnam wear the Ao Dai at least one time - when they get married.

Voice 2

And Nguyen Tran told us,

Voice 6

When I studied in high school, I wore the Ao Dai six days each week.

Voice 1

In Vietnam, women wear many different colors of Ao Dai. Usually younger women wear light colors.
And older women wear darker or bolder colors. Spotlight listener Tuan Anh Nguyen explained,

Voice 7

Every different Ao Dai color and design shows the beauty and character of the person wearing it. For
example, students wear a white Ao dai. This shows purity, innocence, and young beauty. A woman
may wear a pink Ao dai at her wedding, when she marries. This shows graceful beauty.

Voice 2

The Ao Dai continues to be popular in Vietnam. And people in Vietnam are proud to share the Ao Dai
with people around the world. As Spotlight listener Tuan Anh Nguyen writes,

Voice 7

The Ao Dai is the pride of the nation. It is the pride of every woman, every time she puts it on.

Voice 1

The writer of this program was Robin Basselin. The producer was Mark Drenth. The voices you heard
were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by
Spotlight. You can find our programs on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net. This program is
called Ao Dai: Vietnams Traditional Clothing. We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight
program. Goodbye.

- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/ao-dai-vietnams-traditional-

clothing#sthash.9vQNp2aU.dpuf

5924

The Innocence Project

08 December, 2013
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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Liz Waid.

Voice 2

And Im Colin Lowther. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people
to understand - no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 3

My name is Calvin C. Johnson Junior. I spent almost 17 years in prison. It was for a crime that I was
completely innocent of. I am so thankful for the Innocence Project and for my freedom now. It is the
beginning of a new beginning.

Voice 1

Calvin Johnson lives in the United States. Police put him in prison in 1983. He was accused of
beating two women and forcing them to have sex. These were terrible crimes. But Johnson was
innocent. Victims of the crime falsely identified Johnson. Then, after 17 years in prison, Johnson was
set free. Johnson told the Associated Press:

Voice 3

I had faith that in some way, some day, the truth would come out, and I kept the faith...

Voice 2
Johnson was freed from prison because of The Innocence Project. This organization proved to the
courts that Johnson was innocent. The Innocence Project has helped set free 311 innocent people,
people like Calvin Johnson. Todays Spotlight is on the Innocence Project.

Voice 1

The Innocence Project is a legal organization. They have a simple goal: to help prisoners who could
be innocent. To do this they use DNA evidence. DNA is a complex chemical molecule. All of the cells
in the human body contain DNA. Every person has a different DNA structure. And every part of the
body contains this individual DNA structure. Body fluids such as blood, saliva, semen and sweat have
DNA in them. There is also DNA in peoples hair and skin.

Voice 2

Criminals often leave DNA at a crime, in the form of body fluids, hair or pieces of skin. Police can
collect these biological materials. Crime scientists test the DNA. Then, they can use these materials
to match the criminal to the crime.

Voice 1

The Innocence Project only works with cases that include biological material. The science of DNA
testing is developing very quickly. And as it develops, the Innocence Project can look at more and
more cases. The Innocence Project is currently processing 10,000 cases. And they receive 3500 new
requests for help every year.

Voice 2

If DNA evidence is present, the Innocence Project can try to help. They collect and test the biological
evidence. The results of this test go into a computer. If the convicted person is truly innocent, his DNA
will be different than the material from the crime. In this way, he can prove he is not guilty. The court
will declare him innocent of the crime, and set him free from prison.

Voice 1

Over 2 million people are in prison in the United States. Like other places around the world, the legal
system makes mistakes. Every country has problems with corruption. There are also many problems
with bad police methods. Some police and legal experts even think they are doing the right thing
when they are not! One negative result is that innocent people can be convicted of crimes.

Voice 2

For example, many cases involve mistakes in identification by witnesses. Taryn Simon wrote a book
on the Innocence Project. She explained how witnesses can be strongly influenced. Their memories
may even change. Simon told the news organization NPR:

Voice 4

Mistaken identifications are strongly influenced by pictures, or other materials that people see. The
law trusts a witness memory or the victim's memory. That memory is not exactly correct - all these
innocent men show that."

Voice 1

In other cases, police pressure an innocent person to confess to a crime. The person says that he did
the crime, even if he did not do it! A person may falsely confess because he believes he has no other
choices. Some people falsely confess because they do not understand the law. But these people are
still innocent.

Voice 2
Innocent people also go to prison because, in the past, crime scientists did not have the best scientific
tools. They used the best tools they could, but they were not always exact. Dennis Fritzs case is an
example of this. Fritz was convicted of murder in 1988. At that time, DNA testing was not possible.
But a crime scientist looked at hair from the crime under a microscope. He also looked at Fritzs hair.
The two hairs were similar. Fritz was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison. In 1999, the
Innocence Project did DNA testing on the two hairs. They proved the hair from the crime did not
belong to Dennis Fritz. He was exonerated and is now free.

Voice 1

Fritz, Calvin Johnson, and other exonerated people are now making a new life OUT of prison. This
can be very difficult. Their problems do not end when they leave prison. Instead there are new
problems - finding a job, finding a place to live, making relationships again with friends and family.
Helping exonerated people AFTER prison is one of the difficulties the Innocence Project addresses.

Voice 2

The Innocence Project faces other difficulties as well. It is very difficult to collect evidence for a case.
Biological materials can easily be lost or destroyed. Some of the cases happened too many years
ago. Crime scientists can no longer use the materials. And the criminal justice system is very
complex. Working with prisons and the law can take a long time.

Voice 1

But the Innocence Project continues its work. They know that they are making a difference. Huy Dao
works for the Innocence Project. He told NPR that they will not give up. He expresses the hope that
the Innocence Project has for the future:

Voice 5

What encourages us is that these few cases where innocence has been proven, can change the
entire system. It can prevent the need for us! Actually it is curious that our jobs are, in the end, to
make sure that the Innocence Project is not necessary! I do not think we are quite there yet but that is
the way we would like to take.

Voice 2

The writer of this program was Rena Dam. The producer was Mark Drenth. The voices you heard
were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted for this program and
voiced by Spotlight. You can listen to this program again, and read it, on the internet
at http://www.radioenglish.net. This program is called, The Innocence Project.

Voice 1

You can also leave your comments on our website. Or you can email us at radio@radioenglish.net.
You can also find us on Facebook - just search for spotlightradio. We hope you can join us again for
the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.

- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/the-innocence-project#sthash.UU967E7A.dpuf

5925
[repeat of 5284]

Stones for Remembering

08 December, 2013
Stolperstein, Berlin Germany
Photo Credit: Georg Slickers, via Wikimedia Commons
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Voice 1

Welcome to Spotlight. Im Ryan Geertsma.

Voice 2

And Im Robin Basselin. 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

Imagine you are in the city of Frankfurt, Germany. You are walking along a street. As you walk past
a house, you notice something shiny on the ground. You look down. You see a metal covered stone
in the walking path. On the stone there are words. It says:
Voice 2

Here lived Alfred Grnebaum

Born 1899
Forced to move to Kowno/Kaunas 1941
Murdered November 25, 1941

Voice 1

What would you think if you saw a stone like this? Would the words shock you? Would they make
you stop and think?

Voice 2

This stone is called a Stolperstiene. In German this means stumbling stone. German artist Gunter
Demnig created this and many other stumbling stone memorials. Each stumbling stone represents
one victim killed during the Holocaust of World War Two. Todays Spotlight is on Gunter Demnig and
his stumbling stones.

Voice 1

During World War Two, the Nazi political party ruled Germany. The Nazis fought to expand their rule
in Europe. During this time, they also tried to rid Germany and surrounding countries of particular
groups of people like Jewish and Romani people. They forced millions of people from their homes.
They also killed millions more in planned executions, and in prison camps. This horrible event is
called the Holocaust.

Voice 2

During the Holocaust, the Nazis killed between 11 and 17 million people total. They killed nearly 6
million Jews. They also killed many other groups that they considered non German - like the Romani
people. The Nazis killed anyone who lacked physical or mental abilities. And they even killed
Germans who did not agree with their beliefs.

Voice 1

The Holocaust was a terrible event in German history. Some people may want to forget the
Holocaust, but Gunter Demnig believes it is important to remember and honor the many victims. And
he wants people to remember the victims individually - by their name. So, in 1996, he began the
stumbling stone art project.

Voice 2

Demnig began his project by researching individual victims of the Holocaust. He learned where each
victim last lived - before the Nazis forced them to move. He researched what happened to each
person when the Nazis came. He also found where and how each person died.

Voice 1

Next, Demnig began making his stumbling stones. He used special tools to press the victims
information onto a thin piece of metal. He bent the metal over a square stone. And he placed these
stones in walking paths outside a victims last home or place of work.

Voice 2

Stumbling stone is a common expression. It describes a rock found on a path. Often, a person does
not see a stumbling stone until their foot hits it. And when their foot hits a stumbling stone, it causes
them to lose their balance. In the same way, Demnig wants his stumbling stones to make people lose
their mental balance. He wants people to briefly stop in their path. He wants them to think about the
individual the stone represents. He told travel writer, Barbara Kingstone,

Voice 3

I wanted to bring back the names of the Jews who lived and loved. They had children and a normal
life. They lived in these houses.

Voice 1

There are many museums and memorials around the world that honor and remember victims of the
Holocaust. But Demnig thinks his stumbling stones will reach people better. He told National Public
Radio,

Voice 3

"I think the large Holocaust memorial here, in Berlin, will always remain removed from peoples daily
thoughts. You have to decide to visit it. But not with the stumbling stones. Suddenly they are there,
right outside your front door, at your feet, in front of you."

Voice 2

Demnig placed the first stumbling stones in the city of Berlin. Since then, he has placed them in more
than 610 places in Germany. He has also sent stumbling stones to many other countries - like Austria,
Hungary, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Norway and Ukraine.

Voice 1

People are noticing Demnigs stumbling stones. Many communities send Demnig special requests for
stumbling stones. People from the community work together to raise money to pay for the memorial
stones. The stones will honor Holocaust victims from their communities. Helmut Loelhoeffel helped
organize a project to get stumbling stones in Charlottenburg, Germany. He believes Demnigs work is
effective. Loelhoeffel told National Public Radio,

Voice 4

"Six million Jews were killed, murdered. The stumbling stones make clear that it was one person and
one person and one person and one person. It makes clear that they were all individuals."

Voice 2

For family members of the victims, seeing a stumbling stone can cause many emotions. When
Demnig places the stumbling stones, there is often a ceremony. He often invites families to be
involved. Walker Simon attended a stumbling stone ceremony for his father. He even placed the
stone in the ground. He wrote about his experience for the Reuters news organization.

Voice 5

I placed the stumbling stone for my father into a space in the walking path. My heart shook. Then
suddenly it warmed. Then, I was troubled. My mind seemed to speed back to another time, possibly
1937, when my father left Germany.

Voice 1

Peoples reactions to Demnigs stumbling stones are mixed. Some people love them. Other people
are concerned that as people walk over the memorial, the memory of the victim is violated.

Voice 2
Martin Diehl is a Christian leader in Germany. He attended the same ceremony as Walker Simon in
the town of Egelsbach. He talked with Simon about why the stumbling stones may make older
Germans uncomfortable.

Voice 6

"The stumbling stones are difficult for the older generations of this town. They may have had
advantages in life because of the Holocaust. For example, they may have purchased their homes for
very little money after Nazis forced people out. So they may feel guilty - like they were part of the
crimes."

Voice 1

However, most people are very positive about the stumbling stones. They understand and support
Denmigs goal. Isabel Guettler is a stumbling stone supporter. She is a teacher in Germany. She told
the CNN news organization,

Voice 7

"When you read long lists of dead people's names on a piece of paper, it can feel meaningless. But
when you see these interesting stones outside the houses where the victims really lived, it is different.
Suddenly you have this very human, emotional connection...I work as a teacher. So for me, these
objects play a huge part in educating new generations."

Voice 2

The writer of this program was Courtney Schutt. The producer was Ryan Geertsma. The voices you
heard were from the United States and the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by
Spotlight. You can find our programs on the internet at http://www.radioenglish.net. This program is
called Stones for Remembering.

Voice 1

We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye.

- See more at: http://spotlightenglish.com/listen/stones-for-remembering#sthash.mcBe31WH.dpuf