在台灣的我們或許很難想像，一個小孩需要幸運和奇蹟才能夠長大。在馬拉威，公共衛生機構及醫療資源不足，此外，因瘧疾、愛滋病、結核病和營養不良等威脅，曾一度使馬拉威人的平均壽命降至37歲。
在這樣的環境下存活對剛出生的新生兒是項挑戰，每八個新生兒就有一個活不過5歲，而只有超過5歲的小孩，才能擁有名字。
台灣曾經派醫療團前往馬拉威，提供醫療資源讓孩子可以及時就醫，並建立出許多公共衛生計畫，成功將當地嬰兒死亡率降為原來的一半。馬拉威還有許多公共衛生計畫正在展開，需要來自台灣你我的支持，讓每一個馬拉威孩子都能活過5歲、擁有名字！
For us in Taiwan, we may find it hard to imagine that a child needs luck and miracle to grow up. In Malawi, there are not enough public health centers and medical resources. What’s more, the threat of malaria, AIDS, tuberculosis, and malnutrition once shortened the average life expectancy* in Malawi to only 37 years old.
Surviving in this environment is a challenge for newborn babies. One in eight babies in Malawi doesn’t live up to 5 years old. Only children over 5 years old will get their names.
Taiwan has sent medical teams to Malawi. The teams offered medical resources so that children can get timely treatment. They also set up a lot of public health programs. These programs successfully cut the infant mortality rate* by half. Many public health programs are starting in Malawi now. They still need our support from Taiwan to make every child in Malawi reach 5 years old and receive a name!
* average life expectancy 平均壽命
* mortality rate 死亡率
精選單字與詞彙
- miracle (n.) 奇蹟
- shorten (v.) 縮短
- timely (a.) 及時的
- infant (n.) 嬰兒
- support (n.) 支持
實用句型
What’s more… 此外…；而且…
A: Are you taking Ms. Lee’s science class this year?
妳今年有上李老師的自然課嗎？
B: Yes, I am. She is so nice. What’s more, she makes me fall in love with science.
有啊，她人很好，而且還讓我愛上了自然科學這個科目。
圖．文／畢嘉士基金會
英文翻譯／Sean O’Sullivan & TOEIC900工作團隊