The document discusses how it takes a whole community to support and nurture children, care for those in need, build national pride, and protect the planet. It references an African proverb that it takes a whole village to raise one child and repeats this line throughout the piece. The overall message is that collective cooperation and support across different groups is needed to address various social and environmental issues.

1. It Takes a Whole Village Jim Strathdee from an African saying ©1995 Desert Flower Music PO Box 1476, Carmichael CA 95609 from Pieces of Our Lives

2. It takes a whole village to raise one child In love and beauty undefiled To grow in wisdom or to run wild It takes a whole village to raise one child

3. It takes a whole city to care for the poor The homeless and hungry behind every door Open your heart, you’ll receive much more It takes a whole city to care for the poor

4. It takes a whole nation to build our pride Working together, side by side Respecting all people we have to decide It takes a whole nation to build our pride

5. It takes a whole planet to set us free From fear of extinction and misery We’ll cherish our children each river and tree It takes a whole planet to set us free.

6. It takes a whole village to raise one child In love and beauty undefiled To grow in wisdom or to run wild It takes a whole village to raise one child

7. Jim Strathdee from an African saying ©1995 Desert Flower Music PO Box 1476, Carmichael CA 95609 from Pieces of Our Lives