Should survival skills be taught in school? Four children have been found alive in the Colombian jungle 40 days after their plane crashed.
'Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle'
Should survival skills be taught in school? Four children have been found alive in the Colombian jungle 40 days after their plane crashed.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">What's happening?</h2>
More than one month ago, a small plane was flying over the ColombianColombia is a country in South America with a population of just over 50 million. jungle. On board were seven people from the indigenousEthnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA. Huitoto group.
Disaster struck. The plane crashed into the jungle. It took two weeks for rescuers to find the plane. Inside were the bodies of three adults. But four children - Lesly, aged 13; Soleiny, aged 9; Tien, aged 4; and Cristin, aged 11 months - were all missing.
A huge search began. Finally, on Friday, the children were found by an army dog. They had insect bites and needed food and water - but they were safe.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Find out more </h2>
The soldiers sent out the message "Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle" - a codeword. Used four times, it meant that all four children were safe.
Huitoto children are taught how to survive in the jungle from an early age. They learn how to hunt, fish and gather food.
To protect themselves from heavy rain, Lesly and her siblings made shelters by tying branches together with hair ties.
<h5 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Should survival skills be taught in school?</strong></h5>
Yes! You never know when you might need them. Most children without a Huitoto upbringing would not have survived in the jungle for more than a few days.
No! We should focus on skills that will help in modern life, like coding and other computer skills. It is very rare to be lost in a jungle.
Colombian - Colombia is a country in South America with a population of just over 50 million.
Indigenous - Ethnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA.
‘Miracle, miracle, miracle, miracle’

Glossary
Colombian - Colombia is a country in South America with a population of just over 50 million.
Indigenous - Ethnic groups who are the original or earliest-known inhabitants of an area or country: for example, Native Americans in the USA.