Unfair Trade - Chocolate Industry: Haurora

For ESOL, we're learning about chocolate industry. As we explore deeper in our topic, we found out that chocolate's are made from cocoas. But cocoas are grown by children and they get trafficked. This applies to many different industries too, not just chocolate. Children are getting trafficked but the problem is that it haven't been solved for a long time. Many chocolate factories use children in cacao plantations. So are task is how trafficked children lives in cacao plantation affect their wellbeing.

'Who Gets What' in the bean to chocolate bar chain

In esol, we're learning about chocolate industry. We get to chose our own roles and we acted as a buyer of cocoas. Our task was to state our group's work. 

Grower of cocoa: Harvest cocoa when it's in good condition to be harvested and sent to the buyers. Physical Labor -Planting, Farming, Harvesting and Packaging. 

Areas of work - Tropical land or acceptable climate conditions in a land

What do you do:

Keep the plants Healthy- Depending on Rainfall the Cacao will need between 1-2 inches of water per week. Don't let it get soggy. Make sure the plants are healthy/ taking care.

Buyer of cocoa:

• Importing to chocolate makers

• Pay the producers

• Working in a pretty cozy place

• Normal office clothes/delivery clothes

• Promote the materials

• Sell to rich producing countries

• Bring samples of the product

• Test product

• Work at least 42 hours a week

• Look for farms where there are cocoas. 

Producers/growers of other products:

The growers of other products produce and import the other ingredients for the chocolate. Taking care of the ingredients/products is also one of their jobs. They work on a farm, harvest the products and sell the products to the manufacturer and that's how they usually work for 40 hours a week, it's on repeat.

Chocolate Manufacturer:

Manufacturing processes differ slightly due to the different species of cocoa trees, but most factories use similar machines to break down the cocoa beans into cocoa butter. They usually work 40 hours a week and most consumers are in Europe.

Shopkeeper:

• Profit

• Retail               

• Dressed nicely

• The shop they sell them probably has good air conditioning.

• Shopkeepers buy from manufacturers

• Working conditions: depends, if you’re in a poor country selling it or in a rich country.

• In rich countries or the producer countries.

• Sells the product at convenience stores.

• Depends on where the shop is. - Working hours

Antarctic Centre - Recount

 On Friday 4th of September, the 10 ESOL class went on a class trip at Antarctic Centre with Mrs Flores, Ms Briggs and Mrs Handley by a taxi van. 

At first, we started school as usual. We went into our own form class and waited for period one to come. When the bell rang, period one started and that is when we went to the front of the learning commons to meet up. As we waited for everyone to come, we got to choose which car we wanted to ride on and all of us were already to go.

When we got to the Antarctic Center, we waited for a certain person to come who would help us with our class trip. Then she came, she introduced herself to us and her name is ‘Jane’. After introducing herself, she took us to the workshop. As we walked towards the workshop, I thought the Antarctic Centre was cold but it’s not. Then we reached the workshop, Miss Briggs handed us some bookwork to answer. Then Jane told us about Antarctic’s history. She talked for 40 minutes and I kinda feel bored and my back hurts because as she talks, we note things down without a table. She also asked us some questions about things that she’s talking about. Then she told us its time to move in the Hagglunds, it's whether we leave our bags there or bring it with us, but I left mine there cause I think its too troublesome to bring it.

After she talked, she took us outside and spoke a little bit about the ‘Hagglund’. Hagglund is a type of car that is often used in icy places. But the place we’re going isn’t ice, it's a muddy place. Before we rode the Hagglund, she told us that people with bones or spinal problems can’t ride it because the car moves too much. Then we went inside the Hagglund and put our belts on. I thought it was just gonna be a normal ride but when the car started moving, I didn’t expect that it would move like that, it’s too wiggly. I found it funny though because I don’t really get to ride things like that. Then, there’s this big cliff waiting for us to go down, the Hagglund’s driver made the car go faster and I never thought that Hagglund would be that fun. As we fell down the cliff, everyone was shouting and laughing because of the shock in our bodies. 10 minutes passed and the ride ended, we all want to do it again because it's fun and we don’t get to ride Hagglunds everyday. 

Right after we’ve finished riding the Hagglunds, we waited for everyone to finish their ride too. Then, Jane told us that we’re going to the penguins next. I’ve never seen a penguin before so I was expecting to see a big penguin. When we arrived at the penguins, I couldn't see any and I was wondering why. All I see is water, then the keeper suddenly starts talking while feeding the penguins some fishes. The penguins are so small, they are called ‘little blue penguins’. They are the smallest types of penguins, but I’m not that disappointed that I didn’t get to see some big penguins like the emperor ones because they are kind of appealing. It’s cool how they’re small but still manage to eat a full fish in one go. While watching the penguins eating, the keeper told us that the oldest penguin they had in the Antarctic Centre was 25 years old but the penguin died. Now the oldest one they have there is 17 years old and taking care properly of them. She also told us that the penguins are often injured because boats accidentally hit them because they are small. While she’s saying that, I can see that some penguins have broken arms and legs, I feel pity for them because I don’t think they deserve to be injured. Then, while the keeper is talking, Jane suddenly picked us up and told us that we’re moving on to the next activity. 

The next activity is the 4D movie. Its only 8 minutes long but the place really looks like a real cinema. Before we got to pick our own sits, Jane gave us some glasses to wear. I don’t know why we need to wear one but I think it will be fun. She told us that the movie is about a journey in the Antarctic. Then, the movie began, I never thought that they also have special things where wind and water goes to make the movie more realistic. The movie just started and it really looks real. The ice in the movie looks real, the water, the people, the ship, everything looks real, they move like what you really see in real life. Then some splash of water hits our faces, it was fun because they made you feel like you’re really in the Antarctic. While watching the movie, I removed my glasses and put it back, looking at the difference between with and without glasses. The movie sounds soothing because Antarctic looks so peaceful. After watching the movie, I kinda want to watch it again because it feels good like I never thought such a place exist. 

When we got outside, she told us it's freetime. We got to do anything we want, but before that, she told us that there are also different people in the Antarctic Centre so she told us not to be careful. Also before our freetime, she told us to meet in the storm room because that’s the next activity that we will do. Then I went upstairs to get my lunch in my bag and went down again to the cafeteria to go where my other classmates are. Some bought food in the cafeteria and some have their own lunch. After we ate our lunch, we walked around the Antarctic Centre because we got nothing to do. We went back where the penguins are, and went to the places we’ve never been. 

Our lunch ended and we all met in the storm room. Storm room is the only cold place in the Antarctic Centre. Before we went inside, there’s a water filled with ice where you can put your hands to test how long you’ll survive in Antarctic’s water. I put my hand inside, and it's not that cold because my body feels warm and the cold water feels nice in my hands. I remove my hand from the water because I don’t want it to be numb. Then before we go inside the storm room, she told us that we have to put some shoe covers because it's slippery inside. We all put some shoe covers and hastily went inside. It is cold there and I can see some ice in my feet. There’s also some iglo to help people hide and some unfunctioned car. Then, I saw a fan there where you can make the place colder, I pressed the button and the wind was so cold. It hit my face so hard and made my face numb fast, but I got used to it so it kinda feels refreshing. Then the lights are slowly darkening. I feel excited because I want to feel what Antarctic feels like. Then, the lights are totally off, it’s almost dark that it will really make you feel like you're in the Antarctic. Wind blows, everyone shouted, it feels like when I pressed the fan but this time, it hits your full body. Some people are hiding in the iglo because the wind is so strong. It’s cold but I’m glad that my clothes protected me and kept me warm. Some remove their jackets, I don’t why they did that though, maybe it's not cold enough for them? The wind remains strong, I hid in the iglo to make myself a little warm, but I realized that the wind is the one that is cold. After that, I went outside the iglo for fun. The cold is bearable though so I managed to stay outside the iglo. Minutes pass and the lights are turning back to normal, so the wind is too. It took several minutes for the lights to go back to normal. Storm room ended and we went outside and I felt hot because we’re in the cold then suddenly going to a warm place. Then Jane told us that the storm room is what it feels like summer in the Antarctic. I was shocked when I heard that because it’s cold and I wonder what winter feels like. Then the next activity started. 

The exploration room is the last activity that we did. That is where we answer all the questions from the book that Ms. Briggs handed us. Some are working on their books and some are taking pictures. I rested there because the storm room made me tired. 

It’s 1:00 pm and it's time to go back to school. I don’t want to go to school at that time yet, I still want to ride the Hagglund again and go to the storm room. The vans are waiting for us outside and that’s when our school trip to the Antarctic Centre ends.

Dogs of the Vastness - Another Adventure

We have been studying Antarctica. We listened to a story about Nanook, a

husky who was sent to Antarctica on an expedition in 1901. We then wrote the

next chapter of the story from Nanook’s ‘Point of View’. 

So another adventure awaits us again. Our guardian told us that we’re going to Antarctica this time and I’m travelling with my friends again. This feeling, overwhelm, nervous, excited and many more indescribable feelings flowing inside my body. I can’t wait, so my friends too. Hector started singing his song again, maybe he’s eager to go too. Two days feels so long. I wonder how cold Antarctica is, maybe much colder than Lytellton? Well, who knows, I’ll just wait for the next two days and save my energy for the upcoming adventure. I imagine how much fun we will all have.

Affordable Cars - ESOL

Affordable Cars

Four-wheel drive vehicles are types of cars that have 4 wheels. It has an engine and uses fuels but some
of them are chargeable and electric. Most cars are affordable and cheap but few of them are expensive.
Some people might not want to buy one of these cars because of some disadvantage but here are some
reasons why you should buy one.

First if you worry about your money, you can find second hand cars that are very cheap, good and
affordable. Brand new cars are good too but expensive, so you can stay buying on second hand cars.

There might be some few engine problems buying cheaper cars so you have to choose wisely which one
you'll buy. 

Another thing is you can bring your car anywhere you want with your friends or families. You also need
not to worry if it's raining outside because your car's roof will protect you from it. It also saves time if

you’re in a hurry. But the world is facing a big problem, air pollution is increasing because of the black
smoke coming from the car. How can we avoid air pollution? First, get your car to a regular tune-up and
make a manufacturer check your car. Second, if you have the money, go buy electric cars or hybrid
electric vehicles so that it will lessen the pollution and it will be more efficient. 

Last but not the least, cars are causing traffic. We use it in our everyday lives like going to work,
shopping, travelling or whatever, but there are too many people who use cars and end up causing traffic.
One thing that we can avoid traffic is to use public transportation instead of cars or walk or bike, it will
lessen the traffic congestion. If you really need a car and don’t want traffic, go earlier than you would so
that later on you don’t have to worry about the traffic on the road. 

There might be many things that will go against using cars like traffic, too expensive or air pollution but
there is one thing for sure, cars also help us in our lives. We can go anywhere we want, you can see
your families that are far away from you and more things that you can do with your car.

A recent news item that interest me

                                                                       Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a virus that was recently discovered in Wuhan China last year and spread through out the world. The virus is more likely started on animals like bats and other mammals, but we're not really sure where the virus started. This virus is almost pandemic because it already killed 500 people or more. Now, people who lives in Wuhan are currently in a locked-down and they're not allowed to go outside their place. No train, no aeroplane or any public transactions.

As the virus is starting to grow, China decided to build a hospital in Wuhan for the infected people. The hospital was only built in days. Luckily, there are 23 patients cured in Hubei China and was discharged from hospital.

This virus can be pass from one person to another. For example, someone sneeze then the bacteria will stay on your surrounding If you have runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever, shortness of breath and feeling unwell you might have the virus now. Then, if you touch something with the virus, then you touched your face there's a high chance that you'll get infected too. So if you have the virus, you better wear face mask and always wash your hands and stay away from a place where there are many people.

This thing is bad because some people like Asians are getting discriminated. Like other people use this thing as an excuse for racism. Racism can hurt other people feelings too. People in China are worried about their families because they don't want to get infected too so the best thing we can do is help them and not think that every Asian has the virus.