Understanding Other Cultures…Unity in Diversity Now, more than ever, it’s vital for each of us to understand cultures other than our own, to accept differences in others and to truly love the uniqueness of each individual. In our schools, churches, neighborhoods and communities we are surrounded by opportunities to learn and benefit from others’ cultural traditions. Now is the time to celebrate our similarities as well as our differences. Let’s get started! Changing our perceptions requires some effort on our part. Do we really understand the background and experiences of those around us and are we ready to learn from them as well as serve them? How can we accomplish this in our already busy lives? Simple ways to expand our cultural awareness might include: *Family Home Evening time spent learning about a different country or culture each week. Let the kids take turns teaching about a different country. Sample a food from that country and try a traditional activity. Check out some books from the library to read individually or together. The information listed below may help. Each country submission is as unique as the person from whom it came, and his or her experiences either as a native of that country or as resident. *Young Women/Young Men class and combined activities could include a “Culture Night”, particularly focusing on cultures within the youth group. *Relief Society Enrichment activities could include book groups readings/discussions of books about other cultures,, learning new cooking methods and techniques or having a “culture quiz” to check our own understanding in a fun and interactive way. You’ll be surprised what traditions you’ll like and may even incorporate into your own home when you try something new. Learn from those cultures that surround you including friends and neighbors. *Self-improvement through awareness can change our perceptions and attitudes. You need not travel the world to experience other cultures. Each of us can expand our horizons right here and now in our own neighborhoods and communities. Reach out to just one new individual. Even a smile can communicate acceptance that can lead to understanding *Volunteer with an international organization if maybe new immigrants learn language and customs or donate goods to be shipped overseas. If you’re interested in volunteer opportunities check out: International Rescue Committee (www.theirc.org), Charity Anywhere Foundation (www.charityarywhere.org), Mothers Without Borders (www.motherswithoutborders.org), SHARE High School Exchange Program (www.erdtshare.org), or to make donations look at (www.providentliving.org). President Dallan Oaks reminds us that, “Perhaps, when we face our maker we may not be asked, how many callings did you have but how many people did you help?” President Hinckley taught, ”He who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity”. BRASIL Greeting: Tudo Bem Interesting things about Brasil: Brasil contains roughly 3.5 million kilometers of the Amazon’s total 7 million square kilometers. Sao Paulo is Brasil’s wealthiest and most populous city with a population of 17 million people. It is home to one of the biggest festivals called Carnival which lasts four days. Rehearsals for Carnival continue throughout the year. Southern Brasil has many people of European descent. The national language is Portuguese. Children’s book: The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Chery Young adult book: Asphalt Angels by Ineke Holtwijk, Keeper by Mal Peet Journey to the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson Activity: Futbol is the national sport and is “lived for” in Brasil. Recipe: “Pao de Quijo” (Cheese Bread Balls) Combine 1 cup oil, 1 cup milk and 1 cup water into a pan until it boils. Add 4 cups flour. While mixing stir in 4 eggs, 2 pounds shredded cheese and 1 T salt. Mix well then let the mixture cool. Roll into balls and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until bread balls begin to turn golden. Submitted by: Raquel Rasmussen CANADA Interesting things about Canada: Canada is the second largest country in the world (behind Russia) but only has about 33 million citizens, about the population of California. Canada is officially bilingual; both French and English are spoken. However, even the English needs to be translated from time to time. Canadians eat “chocolate bars”, not candy bars with some favorites being Eatmore, Crispy Crunch and Caramilk. They drink “pop”, not soda and wear “runners” not sneakers. Canadians are casually referred to as “Canucks”. The $1.00 coin is nicknamed a “Loonie” and a $2.00 coin is a “Toonie”. The expression “Eh” (ay) is used in most sentences and can mean: What? Okay? Why? What do you mean? Sure. An Anglophone is a Canadian whose first language is English. A Francophone is a Canadian whose first language is French. The last letter of the alphabet is pronounced “zed” for Z. In most parts of Canada you must sew your Halloween costume to fit over your ski suit and televised hockey is the most watched program in Canada. That should give you some idea of the loyalty Canadians have to their winter national sport. Wayne Gretzky, dubbed “The Great One” played for the Edmonton Oilers, but then traded to the Los Angeles Kings and other American hockey teams. Children’s book: The Sugaring-Off Party by Jonathan London Young adult book: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maude Montgomery Incident at Hawk’s Hill and Return to Hawk’s Hill by Allan Eckert Adult book: Shoeless Joe by W.P. Kinsella (story for the film Field of Dreams), Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat., John McCrae (a Major and medical doctor in the Canadian army during WWI) wrote the very familiar poem In Flanders Field. Activity: Canadians enjoy bowling but use only 5 pins to do so. Hockey is the biggest sport in Canada and is played throughout the country. Recipe: “Nanaimo Bars” Nanaimo bars were named for the town of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The bar resembles a brownie but is topped with a layer of white butter cream icing and another of solid chocolate.. Butter a 9 X 9 inch pan. In a saucepan on low heat, melt ½ c butter. Add ¼ c sugar, 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa then whisk in 1 egg. Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens (1-2 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in 1 t (teaspoon) pure vanilla extract, 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 cup coconut and ½ cup chopped nuts. Press the mixture evenly into the pan then cover and refrigerate until firm (about an hour). Filling: Cream ¼ c room temperature butter with 3 T (Tablespoons) milk or cream, 2 T Bird’s vanilla custard powder or vanilla pudding powder, ½ t vanilla extract and 2 cups powdered sugar. If the mixture it too thick to spread, add a little more milk. Spread the filling over the chilled bottom layer then cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes). Topping: Melt 4 ounces semisweet chocolate (chopped into small pieces) with 1 T butter. Spread melted chocolate over the filling and refrigerate. Serve by bringing the bars to room temperature before cutting which will prevent the chocolate from cracking. Yield: 25 bars. Submitted by: Shauna Chymboryk CHILE Greeting: “Hola”. Chileans often skip the knock on the front door and yell “Ah-lo”. The people inside look out to see who’s calling and then open the door if they want to meet that person. An “Abrazo” handshake-hug-handshake(or kiss) is also a common way to greet someone and is repeated when you leave. Interesting things about Chile: Chile is one of South America’s smallest countries and the narrowest. The country has the Andes Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The landscape includes desert, volcanoes, valleys, snowy fields, mountains, savannas and rainforests. Southern Chile has the beautiful Patagonia Mountains and the north has the driest desert in the world, the Atacama. The Easter Islands are located off the western coast near the city of Santiago. The land has many natural resources including copper and a great climate and soil for growing produce. The population of Chile is 16 million with 9 million living in the capital city of Santiago. Chile is the fourth richest country per capita in the hemisphere. Many international companies have offices in Santiago which boasts a great water and mass transit system. Chileans speak Castallano/Spanish. The people are kind, giving, and hard working. “Siesta” is a daily tradition when shops are closed, people return home to have lunch then take naps before returning to work. Punctuality is not extremely important to Chileans. When people in Chile want to point they use their lips as pointing with your finger is considered rude. They take pride in their country and have lots of fun traditions including dancing the “La Cueca”. Food is purchased fresh daily in the “ferria”, a street market that is held on a different street each day. On September 18th the country celebrates its independence and the day is spent with family in a typical barbeque including grilled meat (asado) rice, and salad made from tomato, avocado, onion and seasonings. In spring (September/October) Chileans enjoy making and flying kites. It is not uncommon for Chileans to take a month off of work in the summer (January/February) to go south for a holiday or to visit family and friends. Children’s book: Mariana and the Merchild: A Folktale from Chile by Caroline Pitcher, A Pen Pal for Max by Gloria Rand, To Go Singing Through the World: The Childhood of Pablo Neruda by Deborah Kogan Ray.