Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Hw 32: Shopping for School Supplies

In Baghdad Burning, Riverbend explains her trip she takes to get school supplies. She goes with her cousin, his wife, and her brother E. so that they can get school supplies for her cousins two daughters. Both of the daughters are not able to leave the house since the war began because their mother won't let them. The 4 of them went to " 'makatib' or stationary shops that sell everything from toys to desks"(Riverbend 94). They all picked out everything from scented erasers and crayons to Barbie notebooks for the two little girls. When the four of them were done school supply shopping, the two girls were impatiently waiting for them to get back, waiting at the door. The oldest was grateful for what she had gotten but the younger one was a little jealous of her sisters Barbie notebook because she had outgrown Winnie the Poo one she had gotten. Getting to school, on the other hand, was a little more difficult than picking out the school supplies. The girls had to me walked by Riverbends cousin S. every morning, and then wait to see when school would be out to walk them back. She explained the school to be full of people, but the classrooms were empty and unfurnished. The school systems had no money to fix it up or for any supplies so the kids would have to pitch in for paint and chalk and everything else that they needed. Her cousin S. is very worried about the girls starting school since she can't keep her eye on them at all times.

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