Original subtitles

We often forget that school is an opportunity.

In certain world regions,

the way to school is a journey of a fighter,

and learning, is an achievement.

Each morning,

sometimes at the risk of their lives,

heroic children venture on the path of knowledge.

These students are the heroes of their own story,

true stories...

Translation and Subtitles: [ PAz ]

ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL

Jackson - 11 yo

Laikipia - Kenya

I washed my uniform.

- Can I help you to make coal? - Yes.

Watch out!

Pour the sand here.

Here... yes...!

I'm working like Dad.

Enough, now?

- Give him. - Take.

- Salome, now. - Salome, grab your plate.

Time to eat, children.

- Eat all. - Eat, children.

- Smells good! - Eat slowly, children.

- I'm starving! - Salome?

- You have school tomorrow. - Yes.

You know the way and you know the elephants.

Yes, I know, I know! First, I'll cross the river...

and then I'll climb the hill of the pierced rock.

You go up... and wait.

- And take a look around. - Yes.

Find out where they are and circunvent them.

- Yes. - If they come, you flee.

Once you proceed, be careful.

If you cross the river...

if you look from above...

and if you're careful... it will be ok.

- To be careful! - Yes.

[5:30 am]

We have to go. I want to be on time.

Yes.

Today it's my turn to hoist the flag.

I really have to be on time.

Let's go Salome.

Arrive safely at school... and may your pencils be blessed...

and lead you to success.

I hope that my children will return healthy...

stronger, intelligent and educated.

Healthy, stronger, intelligent and educated.

- Blessing! - Thanks Dad.

Let's go Salome.

Stay at my side.

See, there they are!

Way to school: 15 Km - 2 H

(every morning)

Zahira - 12 yo High Atlas, Morocco

Five times eight... forty...

Eight times one eight...

Eight plus four... twelve.

Two times nine... eighteen plus three...

Five times five it makes...

twenty five?

- Grandma, your blessing and good day! - Blessing!

I made my prayer before coming here. Do you accept my prayer?

I accept your prayer.

- Will you leave tomorrow? - Yes, tomorrow, very early.

We want to meet the king,

so cried the young man kneeling in front of the palace.

He's the one, to whom we want to talk.

My friends and I, crossed the desert to get to him.

Tell him that his brother sent us, and that he does forgive him.

Did you understand what I've read?

- Did you ever go to school? - No.

I've never been to school.

I've only been to the mosque.

We learned everything with Taleb.

He taught us the Koran.

The Koran and its verses.

- That was your school? - Yes, the Koran.

The people learned in the mosque.

The parents sent their children to learn in the mosque.

It was a different time. By then, only few people would go to school.

Fortunately, things change.

Study and learn not to be like us.

You will better understand life if you are instructed.

You will be like the other girls. Someone with instruction.

Will you leave tomorrow morning? Don't go to sleep very late.

Try to sleep early and rest. What time is school?

10 am. Classes are from 10 am to 6 pm.

In life there's nothing more important than school.

The instruction... You are lucky to be able to study.

You'll need to be responsible and if so, you'll succeed.

- If Allah wills! - May God help you.

May God give you strength to carry all your projects.

If Allah wills!

Noura also goes. Zahira goes with Noura and Zineb.

- May God protect us. - May God guide you.

- She's smart, she will succeed. - I hope you'll be number one in class.

If Allah wills!

- Zahira? - I'm leaving, Dad.

God will be with you. Be prudent.

Study and work hard... Good luck.

What are you doing?

Quiet...!

Way to school: 22 Km - 4 H

(every monday)

Come.

Come.

It's down there... The elephants are there.

They're usually there.

Sometimes they're further, other times on the opposite side.

- I see nothing. - They're in the background.

Where?

Today they're there!

Can't you see? In the midst of the acacias?

And there's another one hiding there.

I can see them very well.

- Can you see? - Yes.

We have to go that way, today.

Let's go straight, and be careful.

We'll succeed.

Fortunately you're here. I would be scared!

Eighty...

Zineb!

Noura!

Girls...

- I'm so glad to see you! - How are you?

- Doing your homework? - It was not easy!

- Let's go! - Yes, let's go!

Hurry up!

What's that chicken for?

She is restless... Very restless!

You look funny with that chicken!

I will exchange it in the market.

My aunt came to see me this weekend.

Ah yes, your aunt...

The one who married last year?

Hello!

Carlos - 11 yo

Patagony - Argentina

Hello, my son.

A tea?

Go to grab the pups.

Lay it here.

- Hold here... - Yes

And here..

This one, looks like you.

Take...

Take, it's for you.

Take this ribbon, Carlito.

Leave it in the oratory, on the way to school, tomorrow.

It will protect you.

- Keep it. - Thank you.

Welcome.

Carlito, what is your subject today?

English.

- And the multiplication table, you know? - Yes, I know.

I'm warning, no bad grades!

Hurry up, Mica!

- Be wise in school, yes? - Yes, Mom.

And dress warmly! Still gets cold in the morning.

- Bye. - Bye.

- Bye, son! - Bye!

Go with God. Take care of your sister!

Way to school: 18 Km - 1H30

(every morning)

Hurry up!

Come on!

Watch out ... be careful!

It is dangerous here.

Well done, Chiverito.

- Are you tired? - Very!

It happens if you want to study.

You need to be brave.

There's nothing more difficult than studying!

Alright?

- Noura's feet are hurting. - She crawls!

See where she is.

Is she sleeping or what?

Noura... hurry up!

Ah, that Noura!

- She is crawling. - She's tired.

- I'm also - We're all tired.

Hurry up, Salome. It's dangerous here.

I can't be late.

- I know. - Anything but to be late.

Not today!

Carlito...

Let me ride the horse. Be gentle.

No, Mom doesn't want.

Samuel - 13 yo

Bay of Bengal - India

Hey...

The tide is rising.

Samuel, Mommy's coming for you.

It's time to go home. Are you happy?

Did you enjoy the sea?

- Do you want to come tomorrow? - Yes, please.

Open your hand... straighten your fingers.

Like that...

Does it hurt?

More, more, stretch you leg.

Don't tilt your head it will press your nerves.

No, no, keep your head straight.

Don't tilt...

Keep your head straight, yes? Straight!

Don't move, I'll massage, yes?

Don't move. It's almost done!

Yes, like that.

Be brave! It's almost done!

A few minutes more!

It will no longer hurt, you know? Do you know?

Okay, done!

Samuel?

Is it ok?

Yes, it's ok.

The poet was very poor.

He knew that only the king could help him.

It's the story of a poet who needs help.

But the only person who can help him...

is the king.

So he decides to write him a whole letter in verse.

A magnificent poem!

And the king was so overwhelmed by what he read...

that he rewards the poet and name him guardian of Tamil language.

He will win, you will see!

And one more point... You are out.

Pay attention...

I will eliminate you, you will see.

I won, I won, I won...

Hurry up, I don't want to be late at school.

If I could make money...

I would want to earn big, big money.

To buy a truck and go to Delhi.

When we'll earn money, we will buy everything.

How can we make money?

- Only if we have a job. - But we are too young to work.

Emmanuel?

Gabriel?

Hurry up.

It's time to leave.

Shall we turn it?

Slowly!

Push!

Gabriel, do not hurt yourself with the chair.

- Don't worry. - Emanuel you go ahead.

Emanuel always go ahead, ok?

Slowly...

- Wait. - Why?

Way to school: 4 Km - 1H15 (every morning)

This way, you'll be comfortable.

- Right? - Yes

Bye..

- Bye, Mom. - Bye, Mom.

Be wise... go!

- Emmanuel? - Yes.

Take care of your brother.

- Work well. - Bye.

- Is it hurting here? - Yes, there.

Massaging, will improve.

Don't worry, we are here and we will help you.

It's not serious.

We're not far away, thankfully. Just one little effort!

You need to be brave.

Someone's coming. I will ask him for help.

He's a merchant.

Sir, can you help us? Where are you going to?

Girl, you're supposed to help me. I can't help you.

- Where are you going? - I'm late, I can't help you.

Sorry girl, but I can't help you. I just can't!

- What will we do now? - No luck.

Come on, you can make it. Armed it's not far away.

Did you rest? Are you feeling better?

- Yes a little. - Can you walk?

Yes.

We will help you. We are here.

- Try your sock. - Here.

Let's go!

- We'll be late. - I'm sure.

We had a long delay here.

- It's not easy. - It's difficult for us.

As I said, studying it's not easy.

- I feel like giving up. - No!

School is a good thing!

A good thing?

We're almost reaching the road.

See, see! They are beyond. We can see and hear them.

They are beyond. See that one on the left?

It's a herd, see? We can't go through.

Come on!

Let's circumvent them.

Yes, I agree.

- There are elephants! - An elepha...

Hurry up!

Stay at my side.

Jump!

Salome... come on!

Grab your container.

Come on, hurry!

Hurry up!

You're breathing too loudly. Too much noise.

Are they still there? Can you see them?

Tell me if you see the elephants.

Don't make noise. They are there.

- Tell me if they are there. - Shut up!

We can go.

Be careful, too many bumps!

Be careful! We've already fallen here!

Raise your legs, it's better. What do you mean "fallen here"?

- Watch out! - We've already fallen here!

- Pull, pull! - Caution, slow down!

Raise your legs and don't complain!

- There were cows everywhere. - Slower or we will fall again.

This is where we've fallen I'm remembering.

That day, there were cows attacking us.

How many were they?

We ran away and they attacked us.

Slow down, please.

Slowly... slowly!

Slowly! Caution with my legs!

Clean the dust from your clothing.

Take care of your clothing...

so that no one will pull your leg.

To make you smile.

It's good and very sweet.

Looks like my chicken is also tired.

I know! They invited the whole village.

- I know who you will marry. - I dream.

I am not going to confess.

Everyone says he is gentle.

Today, we have a small chance of a vehicle passing by.

- Let's see. - Don't worry.

At this time, all cars have already passed.

Will we be lucky?

Don't worry.

There will be cars passing by.

- Our delay is increasing. - Blame it on my foot.

I hope he'll stop.

- Make him stop! - Let's see if he stops.

- Can you take us to Asni? - What are you doing here?

What will you do in Asni?

- We're going to school. - No, no, I don't take anyone.

- No luck! - Now, what shall we do?

It's getting too late but let's keep our faith.

I warned you!

All cars have passed and we will stay here all day.

Well, we'll not be there on time but what can we do? Nothing!

There comes a truck maybe he will take us.

Please, can you take us to Asni? We're going to school.

No, I can't.

Please... We've been here for hours.

- Have you been waiting that long? - Yes.

Okay, climb back.

Behind with the sheep. Go climb.

Climb.

Grip it tight.

Help Noura, and stay by my side.

Let's go, boss!

When I think of the merchant who didn't help us...

just because he was rushing!

You'll travel when you grow up?

When I'll travel one day I'll go by train.

By train?

Where is the train going to?

To America.

America is fantastic! It never rains there.

This train is going to America is that so?

Yes!

It's a long way to America!

- How long will we take to arrive? - One hour.

At least an hour!

And this train, where is it going?

Going... to Africa.

- The train to Africa, how long? - 5 minutes.

- Ah, 5 minutes to Africa? - 5 minutes, yes!

There is a truck blocking our way.

How can we pass there?

- A truck, ahead of us? - Yes.

- And we can't circunvent it. - Let's try.

The truck had a flat tire.

- Please we're late. - Going to school?

Please, sir, we're late.

They can't pass. Let's help them.

Do you want us to help?

Anana, help me.

- What is your name? - Samuel.

Samuel?

- What school are you in? - Periapattinam.

- Are they your brothers? - Yes.

- Shall we turn? - Yes.

- What grade are you in? - Sixth grade.

Ah, sixth grade?

- Yes, sixth grade. - It's good to go to school.

Done!

- Thank you. - Take care.

Bye and thanks.

Be careful.

- Bye, sir. - Bye.

- Let's finish our work. - Yes.

We were lucky. They were very nice to us.

I want to be like them when I'll grow up.

Jackson you're going too fast. Please wait.

I have to hoist the flag.

Why did you do that? Why did you insist on coming here?

Because we're late and I wanted to try another way.

- Try another way? - I thought it would be easier here.

We should have done as usual. The path from above is easier.

If you continue arguing we'll be late at school.

Blame it on Emmanuel. He always has excellent ideas!

I don't have enough strength!

Why did you want to come here? We can't go on.

Go... pull!

- Just a little more and we'll succeed! - Go Gabriel, we're almost done!

- We've done it, thanks to me. - Thanks to me, I was stronger!

At full speed!

Come on, don't stop. Keep moving!

Otherwise we'll be stucked here.

Faster... don't stop.

- Go...! - We did it!

- We did it! - Don't Stop!

Forward, forward!

- Pull! Don't slow down! - It was Emmanuel!

Pull... pull!

Just a little more!

Bravo!

Do you see this stone?

Carlito, let me ride the horse. Be gentle.

- Okay, but don't tell Mom. - No! I will say nothing.

Slowly!

Keep the reins tight.

- Hi! - Hi!

- How are you. - Fine and you?

Hi, how are you?

Hi!

- Did you wait for long? - Not much.

- It's unusual that you get here first. - We left very early.

What did you do yesterday?

- I helped Dad. - I helped Mom.

- Gabriel? - What?

What sound is that?

It's the sound of a wheel with air leaking from the tire.

- Do you think it's funny? - Yes it's very funny!

I don't think it's funny!

We have a problem!

Hey... hey, the tire is loose!

You need to fix the tire, guys!

The tire came out and now we can't go on.

- What's going on? - The tire came out.

The chair is definitely broken!

We have to do something. We can't move forward.

The air chamber came out of the tire.

It's useless!

- We have to do something. - Now what?

Well, pull harder, pull harder.

- Pull with all your strength. - Wait, let me try to fix it.

Now we can't go to school today.

- Come on! Pull harder! - Let's move forward anyway.

Push, Gabriel!

It is very difficult!

Come on...

Well, the tire came out!

You will not succeed.

No, you will not succeed. It's broken.

Stop, you're wasting your time. You will not succeed.

Lift it up a little.

- What are you doing? - Don't worry. It's the chair.

We need to find a garage or a shop.

There is one over there... We must go straight down there.

Hold it.

It's not my lucky day!

Let's go!

It is very dented... And fully rusty.

Let's start over.

Meanwhile, let's play.

I won!

- Let's start over! - Agree!

What did you do with this chair?

That's incredible.

Where did you go with it?

You must drive it slowly!

If you are not careful... all this is normal.

- No, you are cheating! - I won!

I won!

He is stronger than you.

- He is faster than you. - That spoke is twisted.

- This one. - Yes I'll fix it.

- You are very lazy player. - Am I?

I can always guess when you will hit.

- Is it already working? - Yes, try it.

Thank you, sir.

- Welcome. Take care. - Thank you. Bye.

- Pull, Emmanuel. Turn. - Push slowly.

We'll be late!

Bye bye kids. Take care!

Will you accept my chicken...

in exchange for your cakes, if possible?

- Can I see it? - Yes, yes, here.

How much do you want?

- 800, is it ok? - 800?

- Yes. - Ok, deal.

- Do you want a mix? - Yes.

A little of each? I will make you a good mix.

Add a little of that.

Yes, a little more.

Here!

- Have a good journey. - Thank you. Bye.

- Bye. - Will you miss your chicken?

Go ahead. I'm leaving this here and I´ll join you in the dorm.

Hurry up.

Hurry up, Noura.

- Yes, just changing clothes. - Hurry up!

They have all gone, already!

I'll change my shirt.

Come on girls.

Noura come, let's go to class.

Hi, girls!

- You must look handsome! - Stop!

We've wasted enough time.

They are already in the playground and we'll be late.

Do you want him to be late?

You look handsome!

That's enough...

Stop Gabriel, we have to go.

Stop and let him go or he will be late.

Thanks and goodbye.

We'll come to pick you up after school, as usual.

Agree?

Yes.

Study hard! See you later.

They are here. They're all here!

Yes, it's hard! Time goes by, very fast.

The hours flee... it's life!

Life also goes by, very fast. And the weekend!

It's hard to get here on time.

- We left it was still night. - I would not dare.

- You have plenty of courage! - We have to.

All the girls are here except Ferriel.

- Her parents didn't let her to study. - Poor thing!

Now it's mathematics, right?

- So, how was it today? - We lost the way.

We had to get my chair fixed.

- And if it fails again? - We'll fix it.

Let's go... wait.

Well...

Who can tell me what is a "milking system"?

Is it the way of milking animals?

Yes.

Carlito... you may answer.

Tell us what are the steps of milking.

First of all, the cow's udder must be cleaned thoroughly.

Then you must take out the first milk and the milking starts.

And the persons who milks manually...

their hands, it's important that they are...?

Clean.

Hello kids, are you ok?

- Yes, teacher! - Hello, teacher.

- Is anyone missing? - No.

Perfect... Please be seated.

Thank you, teacher.

Thank you all for being here. I know it's not easy.

To come here is very dangerous. Dangerous because of the elephants.

Especially for Jackson coming from so far away.

Is not easy for you all to come to school.

But thanks to God today we had no accidents.

Thanks to God.

I am very happy cause you are all here.

Now get your things and let's go to work.

Have you opened your books? Got your pens?

Begin the exercise.

- Theorem... - Repeat...

Theorem...

- The Pythagorean applies to? - Rectangle.

Does anyone know the formula I talked last time?

- The axis of symmetry. - Look at the rectangle.

Notice the opposite sides The parallel sides...

are equal.

Now, what is the difference from this format?

- It's square. - Is a square.

What is different from the rectangle? The sides are...

Equal.

We say that it has four equal sides.

1 right angle, 2 right angles 3 right angles, 4 right angles...

We have 4 right angles.

- The rectangle has 4 right angles... - Yes...

Later, I will want to have a good job.

I'll want to do good things.

Usually, the kids like me, will never go to school.

I was very lucky.

There was a girl in my class a very smart girl...

She was not crippled! She was smart, she had everything...

but their parents didn´t allow her to study more.

She came from a very, very rich family.

My family is very poor...

but they sent me to school anyway.

Then I have to study hard.

Later when I'll have studies and good results...

I will change school and will continue studying...

and when I'll finish school...

I'm sure I'll find a good... a very good job.

So I can live better and help my family...

and that's all!

When I´ll grow up, I'll stay here in the land where I was born.

I'll stay here... in the land of my family.

And...

and I will be a veterinarian.

I have already chosen what I want to become, later...

I want to be a teacher.

To be a doctor, I'd love to be a doctor...

to treat and save the lives of all patients...

Specially poor people and those without minimal care.

And I would also like that in isolated regions...

and in mountain villages, the girls who want to study...

can get the necessary help to never quit their studies.

I... I always have the same dream.

And that dream, that dream...

is to become a pilot and fly...!

To go far away... Fly over the nature...

visit other countries...

to go see the lakes...

the highest mountains... and many things!

Yes...

We arrive into the world with nothing and when we die, we take nothing.

This should never be forgotten.

When I'll grow up....

I want to be a doctor...

and help children like me to be able to walk.

This is my desire... This is my goal...

This is...

my dream.

Samuel continues his studies with distinction.

Gabriel and Emmanuel...

learned to fix a wheel...

and keep pushing...

their brother's chair...

convinced that one day...

he will walk and will become a great doctor.

Zahira, Zineb and Noura...

continue crossing the Atlas mountains...

to reach the village of Asni.

Zahira visits the isolated villages...

trying to convince the families...

to send their children to school.

Carlos will leave his family...

to enter a boarding school.

Micaela's dream came true:

She will ride her horse to school.

Thanks to his excellent grades...

Jackson earned a scholarship.

He is graduating.

His dream of flying and travel the world...

will soon become true.

Salome follows him everywhere.

Translation and Subtitles: [ PAz ]