[ Music ]
>> Some of the first visitors have been assigned here to the Navajo reservation.
Karen Riquette [assumed spelling] has a recent degree in Elementary Education.
Lori Burger left her studies in art.
Her job-- to form a bridge between poverty and opportunity.
The obstacles-- numerous.
All over the country in Appalachia and Alaska, on Indian reservations and in migrant camps,
in the shacks of rural America and the tenements of cities, Vista volunteers from 18
to 85 are serving in the war on poverty.
Here in Atlanta, Eric Metzner [assumed spelling] is driven by his supervisor to one
of the highest delinquency areas in Georgia.
It will be his home for a year.
[ Sounds in background ]
[ Music ]
>> Need any help Mister?
>> Sure. Grab a box.
>> How much you going to pay?
>> Nothing.
Does it make any difference?
>> Well it kind of got [inaudible].
[ Music ]
>> You going to live here Mister?
>> Yep.
>> Any of your friends?
>> Nope just me.
>> Don't you know this is a colored neighborhood?
>> I know.
>> Well I guess you know what you're doing.
>> A tenement in Atlanta, Georgia; a Hogan on the Navajo reservation, Lukachukai, Arizona.
Unlike many who have served the poor, Vista's do not live
on comfortable incomes and comfortable homes.
The money they get enables them to live where the poor live and in the same manner.
They offer their skills and energies and their conviction that things need not be as they are.
[ Music ]
>> During their year in Lukachukai, Karen and Lauren has learned
to cook and keep warm in the Navajo way.
[ Music ]
>> Not all skills are acquired in training
but in the weeks before their year's assignment begins, Vistas prepare for the changes
which must occur within themselves before they can change others.
[ Music ]
>> In Atlanta Eric explores the neighborhood to find those people whose pride
in their own homes might be mobilized to fit the whole community.
He meets men who are out of work.
In order to help in getting job, he must first generate confidence both in him and themselves.
He meets the glue sniffers.
Later he can try and explain the brain and lung damage they risk.
At 13, boys a few years older are heroes and there's someone
like Eric that can offer differ values.
>> Why aren't you in school today brother?
>> My trial doesn't come up for a month.
>> What are you charged with?
>> [ Inaudible ]
.
>> And you can't go to school in the meantime?
>> No sir they won't take me.
>> I'll tell you what.
Why don't you bring your books over to my place Warrens [assumed spelling]
and let's see what we can do to keep you from getting too far behind.
>> I'll bring some of the other kids.
Some doesn't go because they don't have the clothes.
>> Bring any of the kids who'd like to come.
>> [ Speaking in foreign language ]
>> Say it again?
>> [ Speaking in foreign language ]
>> Weaving and other craft work are the chief forms of industry in Lukachukai.
For men jobs are scarce and many families need extra food.
[ Music ]
>> Although issues of government surplus food are delivered twice a month,
malnutrition is still common because Navajo's don't always know how to use this food.
The gap in knowledge is one which Vista tries to bridge.
[ Music ]
>> Mrs. So [assumed spelling] uses her free commodity wheat
in the most practical way she knows.
[ Sounds in background ]
>> [ Speaking in foreign language ]
[ Music ]
[ Speaking in foreign language ]
>> Do you speak English?
I saw you were feeding pigs with wheat.
>> [ Speaking in foreign language ]
[ Laughter ]
>> [ Foreign language ]
>> Do you like wheat?
I know a very good way to cook it so that it tastes good.
Would you like me to come over some time and teach you to cook it?
[ Music ]
>> The neighborhood is getting to know Eric.
Now he can begin his work.
>> Why aren't you in school today?
>> School won't take me because I can't prove my age.
They won't believe I'm 7.
Maybe I'll be big enough and they'll take me anyway.
>> Are you sure you're 7?
>> Yes because my mommy said.
>> Do you recall what hospital he was born in?
>> I think it was at Greater; if it wasn't it was at St. Joseph.
>> And you're sure his birthday was in September?
>> Pretty sure.
It was September or October.
>> And you say you tried to get a birth certificate?
>> I called over there but they say they ain't got it.
>> Would you mind if I try?
>> No.
>> Brother?
>> Sir we don't have a Jeremy Miller born anywhere around that time.
The closest thing we have is Jeremy Burns born
at Greater Hospital September the 29th of that year.
Did you ever have a father named Burns?
>> I don't know.
>> What is your mother's first name?
>> Mary.
>> That's what I have here-- Mary Burns.
If I were you Sir, I would ask the mother
if she had a husband named Burns at the time of the birth.
I think that's the confusion.
>> I'll do that.
Thank you.
[ Music ]
>> Karen's efforts to start a preschool class are
at first received more warmly by parents than children.
The purpose is to relieve working mothers of childcare during the day,
and to give the children a head start in school.
A child who speaks only Navajo at home can be severely handicapped
for the first few years at school.
[ Music ]
>> Children, let's see how many of these pictures you remember from yesterday.
Starla do you know what this is?
>> [ Foreign language ]
>> Say it in English.
Donkey.
>> Donkey.
>> Quindie [assumed spelling] can you tell me what this is?
>> Wheat.
>> Rosenna?
Do you know what these are called?
They're mice.
>> Mice. Grab it.
>> Keith? What's this?
It's a snake.
>> Snake.
>> Take your hand away so we can hear you.
>> Snake.
>> A tour of an airport can give a hint of what the world is like outside the ghetto.
[ Background sounds ]
>> Our jet service can take you to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
Our aircraft is designed for an altitude of 15,000 feet
and for a cruising speed of 250 miles per hour.
Two of the restaurants which cater these flights are Vyson's [assumed spelling] of New York
and the Punk [assumed spelling] Room of Chicago.
We use Rosenthal china and crystal and Reed and Barton silver.
>> Just say right with the truck okay?
[ Background sound ]
>> Dear Eastern Airlines we had a real good time on your airplane.
It was the best time we had on our cultural enrichment program, even better than the zoo.
>> That's right so sign Sincerely yours and we'll pass it around the table.
Brother you sign your real name-- Charles.
>> No one calls me that.
>> That's what Eastern Airlines is going to call you.
Someday you're going to be an important gentleman with a ticket and they're going
to call you over the loudspeaker.
They're not going to call for Brother.
[ Background sounds ]
>> I don't know about hiring the guy but he can't even write.
>> Just because he can't write doesn't mean he can't do his job.
I can write but I can't do landscaping.
>> I'll give him a one week trial.
>> That's great.
Keith come on over.
He's going to give you a trial period.
Do you job okay?
>> In Lukachukai working hours are governed by the sun.
Lori rises early for a long walk to Mrs. So's to demonstrate a way
of cooking the cracked wheat she was feeding to the pigs.
>> Good morning.
[ Music ]
>> Hey brother knock it off.
[ Music ]
>> Come on and cook.
>> Look Brother there's no playing in here.
You're either in school or you're in here studying.
>> I've been there when you're not so busy with the other kids.
>> Look first, you weren't in school because your case is pending; then you weren't in school
because you didn't have any shoes; we went to court,
you've got shoes, I'm not housing truants.
Get out of here.
[ Background sounds ]
[ Music ]
>> You stow-a-way son of a bitch I don't need your help.
I go to school when I'm good and ready.
[ Music ]