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aid: money and resources which people and governments in richer countries give or loan to people and governments in poorer countries.

animist: a person who believes that natural things (such as plants and rocks) have souls

Buddhism: an Asian religion founded by Buddha in the 5th Century B.C.. Buddha taught that people can only find peace and wisdom when they learn to control their feelings and desires. Buddhists believe in reincarnation, or re-birth after death.

caste system: a type of class system linked to the Hindu religion. Caste is decided by birth, it cannot be changed. People born into a high caste are allowed to do the best jobs; the lower castes get the dirtiest and worst paid jobs.

cease-fire: a pause in a war's fighting.

civil war: a war between groups of people living in the same country.

civilians: people who are not in the armed forces.

colony: a country that is taken over and ruled by another one.

conflict: when individuals or groups are in opposition. Conflict can take many forms, such as: war between countries; violence within a country; the abuse of a human right; or violence in the home.

culture: a people's whole way of life. This includes their ideas, their beliefs, language, values, knowledge, customs, and the things they make.

deforestation: the clearance of all the trees and undergrowth in a forest to make land usable for farming.

desertification: dry land becoming desert, either through a change in climate or through the actions of humans. Intensive farming and clearing trees and other vegetation can make desertification worse.

democracy: a democratic country has a government which has been freely elected by the people. Adults vote at an election for the government of their choice.

developing countries: used by Oxfam to indicate the countries where it works - but a disputed word, given the great differences between developing countries.

development: helping people to find new skills to change their lives, and to improve the conditions where they live.

disaster: Situations which cause massive loss of life or economic damage. Natural disasters include droughts, earthquakes and floods.

displaced people: people who leave their homes because of war or disaster, or because they are bullied or threatened, and who move to another part of their own country.

drought: a long period of time with no, or very little rain.

environment: people and all their surroundings - natural and made by humans.

exports: goods which are sold to other countries.

Fair Trade: trading which tries to make sure that the people who make the products in developing countries receive a fair price.

famine: when many people die through starvation.

guerrilla: soldier who fights individually or in small groups. They wage a 'hidden' war, attacking suddenly and without warning, and then disappear again into hiding.

herder: someone who looks after a herd of animals, such as cows, camels, sheep, or goats.

Hinduism: this is one of the oldest religions in the world, dating to beyond 1000 BC. Hinduism has many Gods. Hindus believe in re-birth or reincarnation.

illiterate: unable to read and write.

imports: goods bought in from other countries.

income: money received. For example, tourism which brings money into Kenya provides income for Kenyan workers and for the government.

independence (for a country): being governed by its own people, and not by those in another country.

indigenous people: the descendants of the original inhabitants of a country.

irrigation: a system of providing water for plants by means of pipes and channels.

Koran: the holy book of the Muslim religion.

life expectancy: the typical age someone can expect to live.

livelihood: a means of earning a living.

livestock: animals such as cows, goats, camels, sheep, and pigs kept by farmers or herders.

malnutrition: a condition which happens when a person does not eat enough food, or enough of the right sorts of food. Malnourished people are more vulnerable to infection and disease.

military rule: the government of the country by the armed forces, with no free elections.

monsoon: a seasonal wind that often brings rain.

multi-party: a political system which allows more than one political party. For example, until 1991, Kenya was a one-party state, ruled by the Kenya African National Union (KANU). The first multi-party election was held in 1992.

Muslim: Muslims follow the Islamic religion. This was founded by the prophet Mohammed in the 7th century. Their holy book is called the Koran.

nomads: people who travel around, usually with animals looking for pasture.

pastoralists: people who make a living from herding animals and selling their products, such as animal skins, meat, and milk.

poverty: the condition of being poor. People can be reduced to poverty if their way of life is threatened, or if they do not have enough land, money or other resources to enjoy a reasonable standard of life. Poverty differs from one country to another. People in the UK feel they are poor if they do not own a car or a TV. Only wealthy people in Kenya would hope to own such things.

rainforest: the dense tropical forest that grows in the the hot, tropical regions of the world -- where there is always heavy rainfall.

rebel: a person who fights against or resists the established government.

recycling: re-using something; making something new out of something old; using scrap to make other things, such as sandals out of car tyres.

reforestation: planting trees to replace forests which have been harvested or destroyed.

refugees: displaced people who move to another country.

self-sufficient: when people are able to grow enough food to feed themselves and their family, and produce all the other things that they need without relying on other people.

street children: children who live or work on the streets of their town or city

Third World: the poorer countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America that are trying to develop better economic and social conditions.

United Nations (UN): an international organisation founded after the second world war to promote and maintain peace and to help poorer countries to become wealthier.

vulnerable: unprotected, easily hurt or damaged. If farmers, for example, cannot save enough money or good crops from their harvests, they become vulnerable. Poor rainfall and one bad harvest may push them into poverty.