Learning a lot from a little
Students experience poverty through simulation
Monica Harmon, for the Mirror
Issue date: 12/9/09 Section: Perspectives
This past October, two groups from multiple glbal awareness classes, as well as other students who volunteered to go, went to Heifer International Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, for an enlightening and enjoyable experience.
Students had the chance to experience simulated poverty as they lived and learned on the ranch over a day and a night. Students were divided into groups and they were placed into different communities, which included Zambia, Thailand, Guatemala, the Urban Slums, Appalachia and the Refugee Camp. Each community had a small building with the bare necessities: a doorway, a window and a roof; no doors or windows, of course.
An outdoor fire pit was available at each area, except for the Refugee Camp. This camp was there to represent a shelter in which refugees might live, having fled their home country in search of safety and a better life. Each camp was given certain amenities. The Urban slums were given a small amount of rice, dishes and a pot for six people. Guatemalan folks had water and if anyone was in need of water, they were allowed to barter. Another group was given rice, vegetables and matches, giving them the power of fire. Lastly, the Refugee camp was given no amenities and was also not allowed to talk to recreate what it might be like for a family to change countries in a crisis. Overall, the experience went over well and seemed to touch the students' lives due to the reality setting in over the cold night. Students gained an experience to fuel discussion through the rest of the Global Awareness class.
Poverty affects millions of people worldwide and is everywhere from Africa to the streets of Springfield. Many people ignore it or are simply unaware. It is present in everything we buy in the form of slave labor and unfair wages. According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to their living in remote villages around the world and poverty.
It has gotten to the point where the economies of wealthy countries utilize slave labor often enough to make it worthwhile. Slave owners will make a large profit from slaves because the continued purchase of slave-made products by major economic powers of the world.
Over 600 million people worldwide live on less than the equivalent of two dollars a day. Two dollars is all some families have to buy food, clothing and some means of shelter. Over 300 million people live on less than one dollar a day. This kind of poverty almost guarantees death and if this is not immediate, life spans decrease. Out of the 2.2 billion children in the world, about half are in poverty. This means that every second child is in poverty.
These are just facts. Poverty is all around and the first step is becoming aware. When people recognize it, something can be done.
Students had the chance to experience simulated poverty as they lived and learned on the ranch over a day and a night. Students were divided into groups and they were placed into different communities, which included Zambia, Thailand, Guatemala, the Urban Slums, Appalachia and the Refugee Camp. Each community had a small building with the bare necessities: a doorway, a window and a roof; no doors or windows, of course.
An outdoor fire pit was available at each area, except for the Refugee Camp. This camp was there to represent a shelter in which refugees might live, having fled their home country in search of safety and a better life. Each camp was given certain amenities. The Urban slums were given a small amount of rice, dishes and a pot for six people. Guatemalan folks had water and if anyone was in need of water, they were allowed to barter. Another group was given rice, vegetables and matches, giving them the power of fire. Lastly, the Refugee camp was given no amenities and was also not allowed to talk to recreate what it might be like for a family to change countries in a crisis. Overall, the experience went over well and seemed to touch the students' lives due to the reality setting in over the cold night. Students gained an experience to fuel discussion through the rest of the Global Awareness class.
Poverty affects millions of people worldwide and is everywhere from Africa to the streets of Springfield. Many people ignore it or are simply unaware. It is present in everything we buy in the form of slave labor and unfair wages. According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to their living in remote villages around the world and poverty.
It has gotten to the point where the economies of wealthy countries utilize slave labor often enough to make it worthwhile. Slave owners will make a large profit from slaves because the continued purchase of slave-made products by major economic powers of the world.
Over 600 million people worldwide live on less than the equivalent of two dollars a day. Two dollars is all some families have to buy food, clothing and some means of shelter. Over 300 million people live on less than one dollar a day. This kind of poverty almost guarantees death and if this is not immediate, life spans decrease. Out of the 2.2 billion children in the world, about half are in poverty. This means that every second child is in poverty.
These are just facts. Poverty is all around and the first step is becoming aware. When people recognize it, something can be done.
Article last update: 12/8/09 at 5:52 PM CST
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Laurence Peters
posted 12/09/09 @ 12:22 PM CST
Sounds like a truly great educational experience.
So what was the conclusion regarding the different situations people were placed in --how did that effect the way people saw global poverty and the relevant moral approaches to solving it as well as policies that might be followed. (Continued…)
essay editing
posted 12/11/09 @ 6:16 AM CST
Students had the chance to experience simulated poverty as they lived and learned on the ranch over a day and a night.
electric grills
posted 3/30/10 @ 3:58 AM CST
Indeed an informative article.
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