2020 Review of the Year (part 2) - B1


Good people save a bad year - 30th December 2020

This unusual summer included some wonderful success stories. In Nigeria, a ballet dancer taught poor children to dance. Some of his students would like to become dance teachers.

Olamide: "And maybe one day I will become a dance teacher too."

In Japan, a monk who also beatboxes made new music. He made Buddhist prayers famous online.

Akasaka: "If my music attracts younger people, it will be a good opportunity for them to know about the Buddhism."

Gyms in Doha closed during lockdown. Some took up free running to keep fit and now can't stop.

Chakachero: "I did my first back flip and I was like, okay, that's it."

Covid-19 restrictions also made us think about our mental health. Life became less social, and many decided to get a dog for company.

Avani Naresh: "Dog absorbs your entire stress, so they understand, you know, what you are going through."

These murals were painted to decorate London. They helped people to enjoy their local areas more.

Lee Bofkin: "They encourage people to slow down, to have new conversations."

Scientists used sound waves to make homes peaceful. This high tech window cancels out city noise.

Professor: "We are basically going after the low frequency noise coming from the traffic."

Barcelona was in lockdown and theatres were empty. But musicians played classical music to house plants at the opera.

UK emergency services tested out their new superpower. Paramedics practised flying to save patients in danger.

Mawson: "That can mean the difference between life and death."

In El Salvador, this priest learned to farm fish. This helped feed his community.

Americans left flowers outside the Supreme Court. Senior judge, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, had died.

Lorena Blanco: "She stands up for everyone - supported women, supported the LGBTQ community."

The USA got its first ever female vice president. Kamala Harris remembered the women who had worked for this success.

Kamala Harris: "women who throughout our nation's history have paved the way for this moment tonight."

And in New Zealand, the Prime Minister was re-elected. She encouraged people to find the energy to keep going.

Jacinda Ardern: "Now more than ever is the time to keep going."

Things were looking positive as 2020 ended. The Scottish city of Aberdeen helped the environment. It now runs buses on hydrogen, not diesel.

Coronavirus lovers travelled to get married. Their favourite musicians had also married here.

Miani: "John Lennon got married with Yoko Ono here and it was like, for us."

The needs of cities offered reasons to protect the environment.

Mahera: "It's only if nature thrives here, that it's good for the entire city."

And Hong Kong started skating, which offered the perfect way to exercise, social distance and make friends.

Gigi: "Just go and skate and, and meet a whole community. That's so nice."