The sun is just rising as Arim and Efrem get up to prepare for school They take showers change into school uniforms and comb their hair while listening to children’s programs on the radio After a breakfast of sweet hot tea and bread with butter and marmalade they put on their book bags Their parents gently place their hands on their heads and say May God be with you the whole day The boys kiss their parents hands and respond Yekenielai which means thank you in Tigrinya a widely spoken language in ERITREA Before they walk out of the door with their father who is going to his office in downtown Asmara the boys are reminded by their mother to always respect their teachers and elders
It is early morning in Palepo a village in CAMEROON Before breakfast Mantoh spends an hour selling fresh milk from the gourd she carries on her head Tepe washes the dishes while Nkolo and Folla collect firewood and take several trips to the well Their chores will be complete when there is enough water and firewood for the day After a breakfast of pap a cereal made from corn the children will walk to school with their friends
Classes start in a few minutes Kip and Arangi know they won’t be late because they are so quick Every day they run several miles to school through the highlands of KEnya Both Arangi and Kip want to join a running team when they get to high school They love to run long distances When they are older the children hope to train as marathon runners so that they can compete with the fastest racers from all over the world
