Walking 8 miles for GED classes l Hidden America: Children of the Mountains PART 2/6

Summary

In Kentucky, 12-year-old Courtney and her family struggle with poverty and addiction. Her mother, Angel, is determined to secure a better future for her children by obtaining her GED despite the challenges of drug abuse and lack of transportation. The family of 12 shares a cramped living space, and Courtney dreams of simple luxuries like boots like Hannah Montana's. Angel's journey to education is fraught with obstacles, but her determination, supported by her mother's faith, brings hope for a brighter day.

Takeaways

• 🏡 Courtney and her family live in a crowded house with 12 people, including her mom, her mom's boyfriend, and her grandparents.
• 😢 Courtney's mom, Angel, is struggling with drug addiction, which has caused emotional distress and instability for the family.
• 🚶‍♀️ The family lacks transportation, which prevents them from getting jobs and accessing essential services.
• 📚 Courtney has a dream of owning boots like Hannah Montana's and is focused on her education despite the hardships.
• 🥶 The family often faces food scarcity, with their food stamps barely covering their needs, and fresh produce being a luxury.
• 🏢 Angel is determined to improve her situation by attending a GED class, walking long distances to attend despite the harsh conditions.
• 🎓 Angel successfully obtains her GED, opening up potential job opportunities and a chance to move off welfare.
• 🏠 Angel and her boyfriend manage to rent a rundown house, which they fix up, providing a more stable home environment for the family.
• 🙏 Courtney's grandmother, Dinah, is the family's spiritual pillar, offering strength and hope through her faith and prayers.
• 🎵 The community's resilience is evident in their participation in church activities and the shared hope for a better future.

Q & A

What is the main issue faced by Courtney and her family?

Courtney and her family are dealing with drug addiction, as her mother is hooked on drugs, which has led to financial instability and a lack of a stable home.

How many people are living together in Courtney's grandparents' house?

There are 12 people living together in Courtney's grandparents' house, including Courtney, her sister, her mother's boyfriend, two uncles, and other family members.

What are Courtney's two simple wishes?

Courtney wishes to have a home for her, her mother, and her sisters, and she also wishes to own boots with little fake fur on the top like the ones Hannah Montana wears on TV.

What is the financial situation of Courtney's family regarding food?

Courtney's family struggles with affording food, sometimes running out of essentials like bread and meat, and having to rely on butter and ranch dressing when they are out of other options.

Why is it difficult for Bill to get a job?

Bill, Courtney's mother's boyfriend, has difficulty getting a job because they do not have a car to commute to and from work.

What is the prescription drug abuse rate in Eastern Kentucky compared to major cities?

Eastern Kentucky has a prescription drug abuse rate that is twice that of major cities like New York or Miami.

What is the significance of the GED class for Angel, Courtney's mother?

The GED class is significant for Angel because obtaining her GED could increase her chances of getting a job, which would help her get off welfare and provide a better future for her children.

What is the role of Dinah, Angel's mother, in the family?

Dinah, Angel's mother, is the rock of the family, providing strength and faith, and praying for her family's success and well-being.

What is the condition of the house Angel and her boyfriend found to rent?

Angel and her boyfriend found a rundown house to rent for $400 a month, with the condition that they fix it up themselves.

What does the Sunday offering at the church amount to?

The Sunday offering at the church amounts to a dollar and 85 cents.

What is the emotional state of the children and adults in the family, as depicted in the script?

The children, including Courtney, show signs of worry and wariness, while the adults, including Angel, appear ravaged by exhaustion and defeat, indicative of the struggles they face.

Outlines

00:00

🏠 Struggles of a Family in Kentucky

This paragraph introduces the living conditions of a family in Kentucky, where Courtney, a 12-year-old girl, and her 11-year-old sister Mary, along with their mother Angel, live in a crowded house with 12 people including grandparents, uncles, and a boyfriend. Angel is depicted as being addicted to drugs, which has led to a challenging life for the family, moving from place to place and currently residing with extended family. The family's financial situation is dire, with Angel's drug addiction and lack of a car preventing them from finding stable employment. Courtney expresses her wishes for a better life, including owning a home and having basic necessities like food and proper clothing. The paragraph also highlights the broader issue of prescription drug abuse in Eastern Kentucky, which has a rate twice as high as major cities. The family's struggle is further emphasized by their reliance on food stamps and the scarcity of food at times, with the last resort being butter and ranch dressing when they run out of other options.

05:04

🎓 A Mother's Journey to Change Her Family's Future

The second paragraph follows Angel, Courtney's mother, as she works towards obtaining her GED, which she achieves after a long journey of walking miles to attend classes. The accomplishment is a significant milestone for Angel, who expresses her happiness and relief upon receiving her diploma. This achievement opens up the possibility of finding a job and improving her family's situation, including the hope of getting new teeth. Angel and her boyfriend manage to rent a rundown house for $400 a month, which they fix up, providing a step towards stability. The paragraph concludes with a scene of Angel's mother, Dinah, praying for the family's success and singing an old song, symbolizing the hope for a better future.

Keywords

💡Drug Addiction

Drug addiction refers to a compulsive need to take drugs, leading to physical and psychological dependence. In the video, Courtney's mom, Angel, is depicted as being 'hooked on drugs,' which has led to a challenging life for her and her family. This keyword is central to understanding the struggles faced by the family, as it directly impacts their stability and ability to provide for basic needs.

💡Homelessness

Homelessness is the state of not having a permanent dwelling or residence. The script mentions that Courtney and her family have 'bounced from place to place,' indicating periods of homelessness. This keyword is significant as it highlights the family's lack of stability and the insecurity they face regarding their living situation.

💡Welfare

Welfare refers to government support provided to individuals in need, such as financial aid or food stamps. The video mentions 'welfare-mandated GED class,' suggesting that Angel is required to improve her education as part of her welfare conditions. This keyword is important as it shows the systems in place to help individuals like Angel move towards self-sufficiency.

💡GED

GED stands for General Educational Development, which is a test that provides an equivalent credential to a high school diploma. Angel's pursuit of her GED is highlighted in the script, showing her determination to improve her situation. This keyword is crucial as it represents a potential turning point for Angel and her family's future.

💡Poverty

Poverty is the state of being extremely poor. The script describes the family's financial struggles, such as not being able to afford food and having limited resources. This keyword is central to the video's theme, as it underscores the daily challenges faced by the family and the broader community.

💡Food Stamps

Food stamps are a form of government assistance that can be used to buy food. The video mentions that the family's food stamps amount to $523 per month, which is not enough to cover their needs. This keyword is significant as it illustrates the limitations of government aid and the struggle to afford basic necessities.

💡Overcrowding

Overcrowding refers to a situation where there are too many people in a confined space. The script describes 12 people living together in a single household. This keyword is important as it reflects the living conditions of the family and can contribute to stress and a lack of privacy.

💡Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is the misuse of drugs, often leading to addiction. The script mentions Eastern Kentucky's high prescription drug abuse rate. This keyword is relevant as it places Angel's situation within a broader social issue affecting the region.

💡GED Class

A GED class is an educational program designed to prepare individuals to take the GED test. Angel and her boyfriend Bill attend a 'welfare-mandated GED class,' which is part of their effort to improve their lives. This keyword is significant as it represents a step towards self-improvement and potential employment.

💡Hope

Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The video conveys a sense of hope through Angel's efforts to obtain her GED and the family's aspirations for a better future. This keyword is central to the video's message, as it shows the resilience and determination of the family despite their hardships.

💡Family Struggles

Family struggles refer to the difficulties faced by a family unit. The script illustrates the various challenges faced by Courtney's family, such as addiction, financial instability, and the need for better living conditions. This keyword is important as it encapsulates the broader narrative of the video, focusing on the family's journey and their efforts to overcome adversity.

Highlights

Children in Kentucky sing songs of Jesus, reflecting their religious upbringing.

Courtney, 12, and her sister Mary, 11, reveal their mother's drug addiction and its impact on their lives.

The family's unstable living situation, moving from place to place, is described.

Courtney expresses gratitude for having a place to sleep at her grandparents' home.

A large household of 12 people, including extended family, live together in a tight-knit community.

Courtney wishes for a home for her family but acknowledges financial constraints.

Bill, the mother's boyfriend, struggles to find employment due to lack of transportation.

Courtney's report card shows her academic achievements despite her difficult home life.

Courtney's simple wish for boots like Hannah Montana's highlights her childhood desires.

The family's financial struggles are evident as they can barely afford food.

Food scarcity leads to creative solutions, like using butter and ranch as a meal.

Angel, Courtney's mother, discusses her drug addiction and its toll on her health and family.

Angel's determination to provide a better future for her children is shown through her efforts to obtain a GED.

The family's daily struggle is exemplified by the long walk to a GED class in freezing conditions.

Dinah, Angel's mother, is portrayed as the family's rock, providing strength through faith.

The community's support is shown through the church's choir practice and Sunday offerings.

Angel achieves her GED, a significant milestone in her journey towards self-improvement.

Angel and her boyfriend rent a rundown house, symbolizing a step towards stability and independence.

Dinah's prayers and old songs reflect the family's hope for a better future.

Transcripts

[Music]

up in calf Creek Kentucky ask a little

kid to sing you a song and they'll sing

you a song of Jesus 12 Courtney her

sister 11 year old Mary tell us a secret

about their mom now be honest

hooked on drugs and way to not like it

won't be it Courtney says she used to

lock herself in the bathroom and cry

when her mom got high they bounced from

place to place and her grateful they now

have a place to sleep her grandparents

where her two uncle's one at 3 sisters

at her mom's boyfriend bill also live

there's 12 people living together

honestly I would love for me my mom bill

and as girls to have our own home but we

don't have the money to do that

bill is one to get a job but we can't

because we ain't got a car to get him

back and forth

Courtney shows us an a on her report

card and tells us about her two simple

wishes at home and she says someday

she'd like to have boots with little

fake fur on the top like the ones Hannah

Montana wears on TV Courtney's clothes

are stuffed in a suitcase under the bed

honestly we can barely afford food

whenever things are all going we run our

food we don't have bread we don't have

meat last time we was out of food only

thing we had in our fridge with butter

and ranch well off by the people we

can't afford food after food after food

fruits and vegetables a rare luxury

because of the expense their mother's

food stamps are 523 dollars a month milk

runs out fast

Courtney's uncle called Uncle duck puts

Pepsi and two-year-old sable sippy cup

Courtney is one of those children whose

face seems to reach right back across

the centuries to the famous portraits by

Walker Evans Doris Allman Earl Palmer

we're worried and wariness are in the

faces of the children and the adults are

ravaged by exhaustion

defeat angel is ravaged by something

modern

she is Courtney's mother she lost her

teeth years ago she's 30 years old I

would have to have ten paintings just to

get started to not be sick and I would

do the 30 to 40 a day easy you know

there were days I'd go into account

sleep but as soon as I left I'd sit in

the parking lot store to pill she's part

of an epidemic in these mountains

Eastern Kentucky has a prescription drug

abuse rate twice that of major cities

like New York or Miami Courtney and her

sisters remember when their mother would

disappear for days on end Mary does not

go anywhere

Mary will make me pinky promise no angel

says she's now trying to give her

children the future they deserve and

before dawn gets them on the 6:15 school

bus then she and her boyfriend Bill

start the trek to the welfare mandated

GED class in the center of town walk

eight miles one way it takes nearly two

hours after the class another two hours

and eight miles in the freezing cold to

go home it starts to rain I just lays

you down angel says if she can get that

GED into much he has a chance of a job

getting off welfare

[Music]

angels mother 49 year old Dinah is the

rock of the family no I'm not

well-educated but if you take that time

sit down talk to me then you're gonna

see how she thought so stupid after all

her strength comes from faith praying to

Jesus that angel will succeed we meet

her at choir practice at the homecoming

church two miles up the hills on frozen

roads

[Music]

in this church we see the Sunday

offering of a dollar 85 cents churches

public

I pray God seems of my ilk to forward

[Music]

it's a dark night out here back home at

the end of the day a hymn from the hills

[Music]

[Music]

as for the 12 year old Courtney and her

mom angel well after all the miles angel

walked to class for that diploma this is

my GED but I worked my butt off for I

was so happy did a happy dance you know

all that and now maybe the possibility

of a job maybe some new teeth and even

though from time to time food is still

scarce angel and her boyfriend found a

rundown house to rent for $400 a month

if they'll fix it up this is my kitchen

where I cook for my family you know

while on a porch angels mother Dinah

still prays for her family to make it

singing an old song dreaming of a new

day