Autobiographical free essay sample

Nisha rameen H Fleming Freshmen English 30 November 2006 The day I changed myself It was sunny afternoon in the middle of the summer. I was reading a book. Then my mother called me and told that, I and my family are moving from our country. My calm mind sudden changed in temper mind. I was shocked. Was I hearing something wrong? That came to my mind first. Because I could not imagine that she can tell me such matter in such an easy mood. But what I heard and what expression I see in my mothers face was completely right. That incident came like a storm and floated everything with it. I lived in Bangladesh. For fourteen years Bangladesh had been my home. Everyone loves their country, but when they leave their country then they understand what their country, their language, their culture is. A country is like mans shelter. Everyone is well-known about their environment, but when one goes to another country, they understand that no one is familiar to him. That is exactly my case. By attending a public school with one thousand students from preschool through grade eight I grew up with the same friends and classmates in each grade since the age of five. We know each other so well that we were like family, and I blossomed in this sheltered environment. This sheltered environment was shattered on the 22nd July 2008 when my family received a large, white, official envelope with the seal of United States of America. After hearing that news from my mothers mouth, my mind was full of questions. All questions are initially run through my emotional mind and my parents are refused to answer my questions. How could they force such a change in my life and ignore my questions? My parents were being cruel, not because they were making move but because they were completely gnoring my feelings and questions. My opinions and feelings meant nothing to them because they made the choice on their own. I ran to my room and shut the door. What I heard Just five minutes ago, my mothers voice was chanting those words beside me. During which time I could absorb the fact that I was Just going to left my friends, my country, and my home. And I could quite possibly never see Bangladesh again. Not because I wanted to, but because my parents had not given me any choice. I was torn between sadness at going to leave my whole life behind and a eeling of anxiety at starting a new life in an unknown world. After the first push of that incident I settle down and called my best friend who always supported me in my worse times. I told him the full matter. I shouted, I cried and asked him that, what I did that; god is giving me that type of punishment. He had no word to console me except listen to me. He listen the full matter quietly. I was so emotional that time, I just became teenager. For a teenager it was the largest pain. It was more than I could accept in my little mind. My mind is hoping that this was simply an unpleasant ream or a nightmare. But this imagination felt like a hard slap in my face. This is not happening that came to mind then. To go another country or stay another country it life. My life is in their hand. That night, fghting to hold the tears in my eyes, I lied restlessly in my bed with a cold blanket hiding my face and looking over the window to see the night beauty of my country, who can tell that; can I see these beauties may two or three days more. The next day I woke up to look outside the window. I was depressed. I was not on the state of anything listening or anything seeing. I went in front of my house. One year age I made a garden in front of my house. It was the most favorite place of mine whenever I get upset I used to come here and the breeze of the garden take away the sadness from me. It is pleasant and beautiful surrounding of my garden. It is quite, it is sets the mood that I want to think about anything, like about my life. The beautiful white and red roses used to say hi to me. Every day I also wish them back but that day my mind was not in the Earth it went somewhere else. I was thinking that, my moving from country is like my garden. I reated my garden to give all my effort in this land and I created a little world beside me in my country and now someone is telling me that I had to leave my little world, like take away all your trees and find different land for your garden. I had to torn all my bonding. I had to leave everything I create. Then the day came, 25 July2008. Our flight was at night 1 :52am. We said bye to our relatives and friends. And then we fly in the sky. My mind was stacked by questions. My eyes are red because of shedding tears past two days. I was feeling that time, that we flying and this flight will taking e far away from my country. Such a country, I do not have any idea how it is look like. I was going to face a largest challenge of finding new friends, adapting to a new school system and a whole new different culture. Whole forty-eight hours flight was lay ahead of me and my mind was full of imaginations. My first step of United States of America was 28 July2008. With many sacred feelings from my country, put it in heart I started my life in America. It was hard, hurting and full of pain. I could not remember any smile, I smiled from my heart. When I smiled, it was only for my arents and to show them that I am happy in America. My body is here but my soul is not here. My soul is in my country, where one year ago a Jolly teenager laughs from her heart and talks with hopes with full heart of hopes. When I see my face in the mirror, sometimes I asked myself that; is that me? I changed so strangely, that sometimes it is difficult to know me for me. What I was and what I am now. But is these want my parents for me that changing fully or they want something else. I still do not know what the reason was behind to leave our country. Is it for better future or us or only for our parents ambitious mind? I dont know or maybe I am not mature enough to understand the fact of left our country or it can be happen also that, I should never know that reason. That incident snatched everything from me like a sudden storm. Moved to America changed my whole life. This is my fate. I cannot do anything against my fate. Some says; man proposes but god disposes it can be true but I personally feel that, life is what we make it so I wont give up. I have to keep patience. Maybe the day is not far when I will go back to my country.

The Changing Relationship between the Generations Youth Studies Australia

In the contemporary world, the media advocates for the generational changes and the effect it has towards the economy; Australia is no exception. Most of the articles in the Australian society analyze the negative implications of generational changes.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Changing Relationship between the Generations’ Youth Studies Australia specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, these arguments don not stay for long as they are ultimately forgotten. This is unlike 30 years ago when generational change had an impact to the media and society. Michael Pusey, in his article, argues that the current relations between the young and old generation have been characterized by the mirror-opposite appearance than those, which pre-occupied the social media 30 years back. Indeed, the adversity of the generational gap in the current society is the vital issue that Pusey expresses in his art icle. According to Pusey (2007), the generational gap has been ignored in the current Australia economy. After the World War II, Australian government shared the resources equally as they were focused majorly on the gap that existed between the generations. The author argues that for the national income to be distributed equally in the economy, cultural conflicts should be addressed. Indeed, inequalities do exist between the baby boomers and their children and this has necessitated food insecurity among the residents. Therefore, it is critical that the concerned party needs to address the effect of generation change. Upon putting into consideration the impeccable effects that will be faced in the economy, the government will ensure economic tranquillity. In regard to the current economy reforms of Australia, the author argues that it does not favour the young generation the way it favoured the older generation. In addition, the author argues that in the near future, the young genera tion will be subjected to unnecessary responsibilities. As there are large numbers of retirees, the author claims that they will all be depending on the young generation for income support. With the existence of high unemployment rate in the current economy, the youth will be imposed with burden when footing the retirement bill for the older generation (Norton, 2003). As such, it increased the generational gap in the near future.Advertising Looking for critical writing on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In addition, the mirror-opposite appearance in the generational change is evidenced by the income distribution. It is important to note that economic restructuring is long term. This implies that any changes in the income distribution in the economy will not be effected until after a period of 20 years; as illustrated by the Australian economy. Ideally, the older generation believed that men were the breadwinne rs in the family and the speculated income distribution for 20 years focused on the Men’s income. In the current economy, the women are also breadwinners in the household and the comparable figures will be misleading leading to generational gap. Consequently, the lifetime income has decreased due to lack of regulation in the labour market by the Australian government. In the older generation, lifetime income was extremely high unlike in the current society. This has been attributed to the increase in longevity in the current generation (Pusey, 2003). The compressed retirement benefits have been squeezed, and as an individual retires at an age of 55 years, one has 25 years more to budget for this small amount of retirement benefits. This was not the case in the past as they were able to access a huge amount of retirement benefits. As they had a lifespan of 65 years, they had only 10 years to budget for their retirement benefits. This clearly shows a mirror-opposite appearance in the generational change. In addition, unlike the past, finance and superannuation have been degenerated. After the government privatised the superannuation industry, there has been an imposition of fees and charges by the financial institutions. This imposes a burden to families in supporting the new generation in their endeavour. Other factors that have increased the generation gap include deregulation of housing loans, and privatisation of health and education. The issues leading to the generational gap, as highlighted above, are relevant to the course. The government will impose measures necessary to combat the increase in the generational gap. This will have a positive impact on the international relations, as such, enhancing their economical stability among the new and older generation.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on The Changing Relationship between the Generations’ Youth Studies Australia specifically for you for only $16 .05 $11/page Learn More International relations focus on understanding of the geographical territories regarding the economies, politics, cultural believes among others. In order to meet the international relations’ demands, the government needs to stabilize the internal forces; among them is the generational gap. In this article, Michael Pusey (2007) argues that, although the reforms put in place in the economic front have produced results, especially by creating wealth to a majority of people on the verge of retirement, the legacy of this wealth could as well be a starting point for what the author call an economic gap. According to Pusey (2003), Australia has experienced a good boom, which was underpinned by historically low rates of unemployment and a high demand for the countries mineral resources. Indeed, as the author posits that the economic boom hid something bigger. According to Pusey, the talk of economic boom, masked incomes in those real incomes we re not increasing. It would not be possible for the young generation to generate as much income as the one that is retiring at the moment. In economic terms, then this is a big problem as it is the starting point for greater income inequalities among generations. However on the cultural side it is a very impressive story because people are able to relate with other well in a manner that was not so in the last 30 to 40 years or so. At this time, according to Pusey, there were many prejudices and conservative moral obligations (Pusey, 2007). However, at the moment about one third of the young generations are staying with their parents whom they see as their most influential people in their lives, even more important to them that their peers. Indeed even the parents claim to enjoy the presence of their children. In short, the author makes two assumptions. One is that the economic boom was responsible for the widening generation gap. The second assumption was that culture has an importa nt part to play in bringing the generation gap.Advertising Looking for critical writing on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Pusey (2007), unemployment rates have gone up, that the young people do not get into full employment until the age of 27 or 28. However, his argument does not seem to hold much water and seem to rest on public opinions. The author has not shown explicitly whether the economic conditions, that are responsible for the widening generation gap, did exist. In addition, he has not shown how these conditions were shaped by the economic reform of the last twenty or so years. In his claim that the economic reforms were responsible for increased unemployment, the author fails to explain why unemployment went up and down during the era of economic reforms as it can be deduced from his own data (Norton, 2003). Michael Pusey believes that economic reform was a direct result of the cold war and that families are the biggest losers because of economic reforms. This is because they are caught in the middle of economic reforms and cultural norms and values that are inherited from the pa rents. However, Pusey seems not to offer a balance approach in his blanket condemnation of economic reforms. There is no mention of factors such as advancements in technology or even shifts in consumer preferences, and natural disasters that occurred in the time the author tends to refers to. On the cultural side, the author shows how family values and norms bridge the gap brought about by economic reforms. Parents are doing what the author call â€Å"intergenerational transfers.† The parents are using their money to help children put up a deposit for their homes, and also they are helping the children pay off HECS. Therefore, culture plays an important part in compensating the destruction brought about by economic reforms. The issues raised by the author are important in understanding the building blocks of a vibrant society. References Norton, A. (2003). Michael in a Muddle: Michael Pusey’s bungled attack on economic reform. Issue Analysis 34(2): 1-9. Pusey, M. (2003 ). The Experience of Middle Australia: The Dark Side of Economic Reform, Melbourne: Cambridge University Press Pusey, M. (2003), ‘An Australian story: The Troubling Experience of Economic Reform’ Australian Senate Occasional Lecture Series, Parliament House, retrieved from web. Pusey, M. (2007), ‘The Changing Relationship between the Generations †¦ It Could Even be Good News’, Youth Studies Australia 26(1): 9-17. This critical writing on The Changing Relationship between the Generations’ Youth Studies Australia was written and submitted by user Brianna Snyder to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Near Earth Objects essays

Near Earth Objects essays Near-Earth Objects are comets and asteroids that have been pushed by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth's neighborhood. They are about 4.5 billion years and can range in size from pebbles or lumps of ice, to rocky or icy worlds nearly 1,000 kilometers across. An asteroid or comet may become a Near Earth Object when its trajectory intersects the orbit of the Earth or is within 0.3 Astronomical Units (distance between the earth and the sun). A Comet is a body revolving around the sun. A comet is characterized by a long, luminous tail, but only in the segment of the comets orbit when it passes closest to the sun. Composed mostly of water ice with rooted dust particles, comets originally formed in the cold outer planetary system while most of the rocky asteroids formed in the warmer inner solar system. A Meteor is a small solid body that enters a planet's atmosphere from outer space and raised to combustion by the friction resulting from its fast motion. An Asteroid is one of the many small or minor planets that are members of the solar system and that move in elliptical orbits primarily between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Some 65 million years ago dinosaurs and 75 percent of those species then on Earth seem to have been executed to extinction by the impact of a 10-kilometer-diameter (6-mile) NEO. The Tunguska event of 1908 in Siberia, warns the United States Air Force on small objects entering Earth's atmosphere, and particularly, the impact of some two dozen fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter in 1994 all underscore that dangerous impacts may occur today. The best estimate of the probability of a civilization-threatening collision in the next century is nearly one in 1,000. Estimates of the numbers of Near Earth Objects of different sizes can be made either by direct measurement using ground-based telescopes or inferred from the numbers and sizes of...

Tourism Demand to the Portfolio of a Developing and Developed Country Research Paper

Tourism Demand to the Portfolio of a Developing and Developed Country - Research Paper Example Tourism is defined as travel for the purpose of business, leisure or recreation. However, tourism is a very important sector for several economies because of the resultant inflows of huge amounts of money in business activities as well as creation of employment opportunities in services associated with tourism such as hospitality services, cruise ships, entertainment, airlines and transport. This paper has examined the different aspects of tourism demand and after having defined the concepts and models of tourism, a detailed analysis has been made of the demand for tourism in Switzerland and Indonesia. In arriving at the different conclusions, this paper has mainly relied on journals, magazines and books that are available on the internet. Tourism is understood as the activity related to people moving away from their normal environments for reasons that are diverse from their work or profession. Tourism is not a new phenomenon and was favored with individuals that wished to enhance t heir education while the wealthy class traveled largely for pleasure, for socializing or to personally visit destinations that were widely described in the literature or reported by travelers. With the improvement of transport systems in terms of speed and comfort, the flow of visitors increased even to far flung areas. In recent times the traveling habits of people have increased considerably primarily because of: Fast, secure and comparatively cheap modes of transport Increasing interests relative to knowing of new cultures Widespread information about the attractiveness of different places Increasing disposable incomes and leisure time in several parts of the world The earliest attempts to study tourism were made by Ogilvie (1933) who held that the word tourism was the result of the curiosity of language because till that time there was no such word in the English language. He wrote that it can be used to describe an individual that simply leaves his home or country with the obje ctive of coming back to his home after some time. His definition of tourists was, â€Å"all people who satisfy two conditions, that they are away from home for any period of less than a year and second, that while they are away they spend money in the place they visit without earning it there† (Ogilvie, 1933, p.5). In considering Ogilvie’s definition, Burkart and Medlik (1981) identified four major characteristics of tourism: They are people who undertake journeys to stay in various destinations (Burkart and Medlik, 1981, p.42). Their destinations are distinct from their normal place of residence and work so that their activities are not the same as those of the residents and working populations of their destinations (Burkart and Medlik, 1981, p.42). Their intention is to return within a few days or months, so the journey is of a temporary and short term nature (Burkart and Medlik, 1981, p.42). Their purpose for undertaking the journey is other than to take up permanen t residence or employment remunerated from within the destinations (Burkart and Medlik, 1981, p.42). A socialist approach has been adopted by Cohen (1974) in defining a tourist as, â€Å"a voluntary, temperory traveler traveling in the expectation of

Globalization from a Cultural Anthropology's Perspective Essay

Globalization from a Cultural Anthropology's Perspective - Essay Example They came to the conclusion that all societies at their â€Å"civilization† stage must have gone through the former two stages of savagery and barbarian before making their way to â€Å"civilization†. All three stages were characterized on the basis of their shared attributes. Tyler focused more on other aspects of culture, for instance language and mythology, the arts of life and the arts of pleasure. (Hays) Globalization implies increasing influx of trade, finance, culture, people and ideas due to the advances in technology which has indirectly made modes of communication sophisticated, easier worldwide. Globalization has fast taken over today’s global economy. Not only are the world’s farthest places easily accessible but communication within seconds to and fro from different corners of the world has become a lot more easy. Today’s children and youth are far more connected and well versed with their counterpart teens from world over then a decade ago. Globalization studies have become very important point of convergence of interpretive anthropology and cultural anthropology. Terms such as â€Å"The New Economy† and globalization have become integral focus of Cultural Anthropology in modern literature of cultural anthropology. ... For example music, movies, arts. Popular culture and globalization have attracted similar hit songs, movies, artificats, even ways of conducted business in countries sharing different cultures. This is primarily because of more and easy awareness. So much has the influence of globalization been on cultural anthropology that today branding and value creation have whole heartedly accepted their importance. Massive campaigns world over are built accordingly. William Mazzarella’s award winning work titled â€Å"Very Bombay: Contending with the Global in an Indian Advertising Agency† is a very important example. (Harris) The widespread perception of consumer culture has always been there. Many attribute to America’s wealth and the status emerging out of WWII. Corporations back then were at their peak of manufacturing capacity. They had made a lot of money by capitalizing on the military needs and requirement. As a result, living standards rose and demands for material goods with more social standing also peaked. This lifestyle has stayed for the past few generations and now in most cases we short-sighted assume that we will always live like this. A good example of culturally invasive global trend can be seen in plastic surgery rooms in Iran. During the course of Islamic Revolution, makeup stayed restricted to Persian women and their faces would be covered to Islamic culture and names. As of today, Iran has become the nose job capital of the world. Iranian women world over spend more than â€Å"1500 dollars† to achieve what they call the â€Å"perfect nose† . The influences of satellite and television have also been immense and invasive. Persian women and many South Asian countries have adopted the idea that western nose is

Development of Self as Nurse

Development of Self as Nurse HH/NURS 4516 Development of Self as Nurse: Advanced Professional Issues – CAREER PLAN ASSIGNMENT – Scanning Your Environment Self-Assessment Reality Check Career Vision Career Goals -In my third year clinical placement, my nurse mentor was organized and possessed excellent communication skills when dealing with the interdisciplinary team and the families of the newborns within her care. -Environmental constraints when looking for a job includes: job availability, changes in the healthcare economy (e.g. budget), and being up against many competitors wanting the same job. -Environmental resources: Nursing school faculty and also the clinical setting. -The opportunities of learning in my school setting is very diverse and have contributed in my decision and focus on working with newborns and their families. -Important social and health issues in my community would be many older adults in the community are staying home. As more of these older adults stay home they are at increased risk for falls and possible burns due to their declining motor skills and sensory senses. Current nursing issues affecting my local area would be a decrease in nursing jobs for new graduates. Older nurses are slowing turnover by taking longer to retire, and new graduates are flooding the market. -Many nurses use technology to document patient care and also to communicate with others in the interdisciplinary team. -Interventions to prevent stress and burnout and to retain nurses are critically necessary to ensure efficient and quality client care. -Global Health issues such as the Ebola virus disease in West Africa is currently now traveling all over the world. It is vital for nurses and nursing students to stay well informed about this severe illness in order to educate clients and the public to help prevent spread. -Horizontal violence is a global nursing issue affecting many nurses and their practice. -Practicing in the clinical setting as a nursing student has allowed me the opportunity to spend additional time with my clients and learn more about who they are as a person as oppose to viewing them as walking diagnosis and room number. -It is essential that I Maintain balance and values in all aspects of my life because nursing can be quite stressful at times and a good support system is needed to help cope with stress. -In the clinical setting, I am able to therapeutically support my clients and tend to their needs while still maintaining my professional boundaries. My most significant accomplishments while in the nursing program would be receiving an invitation to join York University’s honor society for being the top 15% student in the faculty of health. -As a result of an increased self-awareness and increased knowledge base in my forth year, I feel that I am much more interactive and confident with members of the multidisciplinary team and with the patients. -New knowledge and skills that I have acquired since my last self-assessment would be there is an increase in my ability to perform technical skills such as monitoring, setting up and administrating IV medications and also inserting a urinary catheter using sterile technique to my clients. In the beginning, I had some time management issues due to saving my charting until towards the end of the shift, which then resulted in me leaving clinical late. Now, I ensure that I document as I go; thus improving my time management in the clinical setting. I am known as a hard worker and focused individual which has been evidenced by the numerous academic recognition awards I have received. I have been told that my strengths in the clinical setting include patient education, patient advocacy, and meeting the client’s basic needs. The key areas for development that I need to improve upon would be memorization of lab values. Often times, people describe me as a good listener and very patient and caring. -My assessment of my accomplishments compared with others assessments of me are quite accurate when being compared together as I feel I am a hard worker that prides in giving quality patient care and producing work of the same caliber in the classroom. I am hopeful that I will receive my request for the NICU as my final practicum as I have met the additional requirements needed for this specialized area; by going this route, I may be able to take part in the new grad initiative and hopefully secure a job if available. I have been able to identify my strengths and weaknesses with the help of my preceptor and my own reflection in clinical and theory practice. I am optimistic about what my nursing career holds in the future and also gaining the ability to grow and learn as a person and a nurse in my clinical experiences. -I am an expert practice neonatal intensive care nurse that works with a diverse group of young clients and their families in a large teaching hospital in the downtown region of Toronto. In the clinical setting I have been recognized for my extensive knowledge base, my ability to work effectively and efficiently under high levels of stress and also collaborate effectively with the interdisciplinary team. In accordance with the College of Nurses (CNO) standards of practice, I ensure that my nursing practice is always being guided and supported by current research; In addition I have been diligent in taking continuing education certificate courses at available colleges and universities online and locally. Through years of experience I have perfected the craft of building the nurse-client relationship by utilizing therapeutic techniques which will enable me to provide comfort and support to families in my care. Short term Network with other nurses in the NICU through a professional organization and related interest groups. Use nursing practice placement experiences gained in my previous semesters and final integrated practicum to develop necessary competencies in this area of practice. Connect with nurse mentors in the NICU clinical setting that I have worked with previously and use them as a resource. Get a staff nurse position in a Neonatal intensive care unit upon graduation and passing the NCLEX Long term 1. Take additional courses in order to become more knowledgeable in providing client and family centered care when attending to neonates. 2. Become a specialized Nurse Practitioner- (Need to complete the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner certificate program at Ryerson University, subsequent to obtaining my Master’s Degree in Nursing.) Career Plan Action Steps Resources Timeline (When to accomplish) Indicators of Success (How will I know I have succeeded?) Next Steps (How will you market yourself?) 1) Speak to up to three faculty staff members who could possibly become mentors in the area of neonatal intensive care or pediatrics. 2)Through my environmental scan, identify the professional skills and nursing practice competencies that are essential to working competently in the NICU 3) Speak to past nursing students and current nursing staff who have experience working on the neonatal intensive care unit. 4) Meet with the placement coordinator to discuss and understand placement requirements for forth year students entering into specialized integrated practicum areas (e.g. NICU). -Faculty members with a pediatrics and neonatal intensive care background Utilize contact information obtained from the Nurse manager on the NICU. -The College of Nurses website -Registered nurses association of Ontario Canadian Nursing Students Association -Nurse manager and staff on the NICU at Trillium health center. -Colleagues that just finished the nursing program in previous year. -Nursing practice placement coordinator -Faculty members with related neonatal intensive care background June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 November 2014 1) Make appointments with selected faculty members who have a neonatal and pediatric background to discuss the possibility of becoming my mentor. 2)- Ensuring that environmental scan is continually updated as my self-assessment or career vision may change. These updates indicate that significant changes may have occurred around me as I move forward in my job or education. -I will also attend professional association meetings. 3)-Connect with former colleagues who have graduated in the previous year via telephone or social media nursing groups to get feedback. Contact nurse manager via email to let her know of my interest in obtaining a new grad initiative position 4)-Contact the placement coordinator and related persons to establish a meeting time and place to discuss questions that I may have in regards to integrated Practicum. As a new graduate nurse, I am aware that I may not have much experience when compared to a more â€Å"seasoned† nurse when applying for the same job position; but I am confident in my abilities and know that I am able to learn and adapt to my environment with much quickness and efficiency. I am able to be my own best marketer when in a setting that requires selling of self by ensuring that I am being represented in the best possible way and utilizing all available resources. I am a member of The Golden Key International Honor Society in which I am able to attend conferences and workshops locally, provincially and nationally. This will allow me the opportunity to connect and network with colleagues who I may be able to call upon for advice and direction if needed. This will further aid in my success of being employed as new graduate nurse in my dream job the NICU.

The Man Who Planted Trees Essay example -- Literary Review, Jean Giono

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono was wan extraordinary story about one man’s efforts to help the environment. It tells the story of one shepherd's extensive and successful singlehanded determination to re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps near Provence throughout the first half of the 20th century. The story is narrated by a man who throughout the book in anonymous. The story begins in the year 1910, when a young man is undertaking a long hiking trip through Provence, France, and into the Alps. The narrator runs out of water in a treeless, uninhabited valley where there is no trace of civilization. The narrator finds only a dried up well, but is saved by a middle-aged shepherd who gives him a drink of water from his water-gourd. Later, the shepherd takes the narrator to his cottage where he offers him food and a place for the night. As the narrator stays for the night he becomes curious about this shepherd, who lives all alone in this stone house, and decides to stay for a while longer. The shepherd, after being widowed, had decided to restore the ruined landscape of the isolated and largely abandoned valley by single-handedly cultivating a forest, tree by tree. The shepherd, Elzà ©ard Bouffier, makes holes in the ground and plants acorns that he had collected from far away into those holes. The narrator was astonished at what this man had done all on his own. It was an amazing project that not just anyone could have done. The narrator leaves the shepherd knowing for sure that he would be back to see what he had accomplished. He later fights in World War One. In 1920 the man returns back to the same valley. Instead of seeing a desolated valley with little progress, to his astonishment there were saplings... ...t. By late 2005, through the Pan-African Green Belt Network, over fifteen African countries had become involved with the Green Belt Movement. The movement spread beyond the African borders to the United States. For her lifelong dedication to environmental and human rights Maathai received numerous awards, including the Goldman Environmental Prize, the Right Livelihood Award, and the United Nation's Africa Prize for Leadership. Furthermore, in 2004 Maathai was honored with the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize becoming the first black woman and the first environmentalist to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Maathai was best known as the founder of the Green Belt Movement: an initiative to plant trees in forested areas of Kenya that were starting to be used commercially. Critics wondered whether a "tree planter" was truly a peace activist and I am here to say she was.