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"We know what is going on in Ukraine. People went on strike because they
want Yushchenko for President. They are cold and maybe some of them are hungry,
but they are staying. I never went on strike, and I don't have experience in it,
but I once saw teachers from school go on strike when they didn't get money for
a month. They were staying outside the main building. It wasn't violent like protests
in larger cities. Yanukovych paid people to hit some of Yushchenko's supporters
and poisoned Yushchenko. Our teachers didn't wear any specific color like the
orange of the Yushchenko supporters and they didn't have any signs as the people
in Kiev do. It also was winter, though, and it was so cold that the teachers didn't
stay for the whole night.
If I would have a chance to vote, I would
vote for Yushchenko because he has a better plan for Ukraine. He wants to raise
people's salary and to raise money for retired people. Yanukovych doesn't like
Christians. He said he is going to put them to hard work as it was in the 1950's.
That is a good reason not to vote for him."
-- Nelya (age 18) from
Ukraine "I think the people are doing the right thing to protest
because the election was a fraud. The Ukrainian people must decide who will become
President of Ukraine. It is not fair that those in the military and in colleges
were instructed as to who they should vote for. Some people were given pens with
invisible ink. When they voted using these pens, the ink disappeared and so did
their vote. I think that was really, really wrong. The people of Ukraine are doing
the right thing by protesting."
--Khrystyna (age 15) from Ukraine "This
weekend I called my family and they told me people have to vote again on Dec.
26th. I think if I were in Ukraine now and was 18 I would vote for Yushchenko
because he is better than Yanukovych."
--Zhanna (age 15) from Ukraine
"Now, like never before, you can see and hear about Ukraine
everywhere; on the internet, newspapers, tv, and radio. We never had that problem
before, but now Ukrainians can't decide who will be their President. Most Ukranian
people want Viktor Yushchenko and less want Viktor Yanukovych. Today in Ukraine
many people are staying outside in Kiev and have gone on strike in support of
Viktor Yushchenko. These people are sleeping in tents. They don't care about the
weather. They want freedom in Ukraine. I think if I was in Ukraine now,
my family and I would vote for Viktor Yushchenko. I think he is better than Yanukovych
because if he is the President he will make freedom in Ukraine. The economy will
be better and people will have better jobs. I don't like Viktor Yanukovych because
he doesn't like Christian people. He wants to get Ukraine and Russia together.
Now the people will vote again. I think Viktor Yushchenko will win this vote and
Ukrainians will be happy."
--Lyudmila (age 15) from Ukraine
"I think that Ukraine has a real Presidential problem. Everyone wants this
situation to end soon. I hope that this situation will be solved soon and that
the President of my country will be Viktor Yushchenko. Lots of world political
leaders want things to be done honestly and peacefully. I am for truth and peace
and I also agree with those leaders who really want to have it happen this way."
--Ruvim (age 20) from Ukraine
"Ukrainian people want freedom. They all need to stand up.
They want to change the government. They want a new President."
--Huan (age 19) from China
--Mary Iverson teaches English as a Second
Language at Webster Schroeder High School. These are her students.
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After H1N1-related school closures in the last flu season, local schools have lowered the severity of their response and are focusing on preventative action that does not interrupt education.
