Listening
Scripts
I = Interviewer; B = Baruti
I: Thank you for coming on the show, Baruti. We are all very interested to know more about your work. But, first of all, let’s start from the beginning. Um, where were you born?
B: I was born in Johannesburg in 1962.
I: Can I ask you about your childhood?
B: Yes, of course. I was the fourth child in a very big family – there were 11 of us. My father was a teacher and my mother cleaned houses for rich people.
I: Did you go to school?
B: Yes, I did. Education was very important to my parents.
I: When did you decide to work with poor children?
B: When I was in school, one of my friends lost his parents. He had no family … um … no living grandparents, so he moved to a house for orphans. I visited him and when I saw his life there, I decided to work with orphans.
I: When did you open your orphanage?
B: We opened it in 1996.
I: We?
B: Yes, my wife and I. We got married in 1990.
I: And who’s your hero?
B: I’m glad you asked that – it’s Mother Teresa. I often think about her words: “I can do no great things, only small things with great love.”
I: That’s very interesting. I have one more question: What’s your favorite book?
B: Let me think about that. I like many books, but Long Walk to Freedom is one of my favorites. It’s the story of Nelson Mandela’s life in his own words.
I: That sounds interesting. Thank you. OK … now, it’s time to ask the audience for questions. Are there any questions for Baruti? … Yes, you at the back …