Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

July 19, 2022, 4:28 p.m.

Student Reporting Labs: Welcoming refugees through the gift of musical instruments

Summary

When Taliban forces overtook Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, Elaha Nazari evacuated and sought asylum in the United States. Through a youth-led organization in Phoenix, Arizona, Elaha received a donated guitar to pursue her musical dreams. Student Reporting Labs (SRL) produced this story at the 2022 summer academy in early July.

Five Facts

  • What organization donated instruments to refugees?
  • Where did Elaha Nazari flee from?
  • How old was Riley Nova when she founded the charity organization?
  • Who donated the instrument that Eleha Nazari received?
  • Which instrument did she receive upon entrance to the United States?

Focus Questions

Elaha Nazari, the Afghan refugee interviewed in the story, talks about how she left for the United States with nothing but a backpack and her documents. What else could charities provide for refugees who had to leave in a hurry? What other supplies might she need? Media literacy : Having learned about the program to give refugees musical instruments, why is it important that the media highlight programs like these?

For More

See this Daily News Lesson to learn about a Phoenix dance troupe using music to connect to performers' African roots. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/how-this-african-dance-troupe-use-performance-as-a-form-of-a-self-care/ See this Daily News Lesson to learn about a dance company founder broke down financial barriers for Latino teens. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/dance-company-founder-breaks-down-financial-barriers-for-latino-teens-pursuing-professional-dance/ See this Daily News Lesson to learn about how elementary school students are paying homage to the Native Americans who lived on their land. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/classroom/2022/07/how-this-elementary-school-paid-homage-to-local-kumeyaay-tribe-through-mural/

Recent Daily News Lessons

ukrainerussia-1024x683

Daily News Lesson

Poland braces for potential confrontation as Russia tests NATO defenses

The foreign minister tells the News Hour they have credible intelligence to back that up

dry

Daily News Lesson

How the West is preparing for a drier future as water supplies hit lows

Learn about low water levels in the Colorado River and how it is affecting the western United States

widerwar-1024x689

Daily News Lesson

On the ground with U.N. peacekeepers as Lebanon-Israel mission nears its end

After nearly 50 years, UNIFIL forces in southern Lebanon plan their withdrawal after the U.N. Security Council voted to terminate their operations.

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward