As part of this theme we had an activity day where students were required to simulate a life of a thirteen year old living in “absolute poverty”, in an African village. This allowed them to empathise with their plight more closely.

 

Students were involved in different activities that started at 7:00 am, carrying bricks and walking around school and its neighbourhood. This was done to imitate an African child collecting water prior to walking to school.

 

They were then separated into two groups based on gender. Boys who would normally go to school, were taken into the classroom and had lessons which were conducted by Mr Kermally who acted out a typical village classroom. This was then followed by a Maths Lesson which was conducted by Mr Lawman and a social studies lesson led by Mr Chapman.

 

The girls, who would normally stay at home and do household activities with their mothers, had to work with the female teachers and were involved in Jewellery making, embroidery and quilt making. This was also done to develop an understanding of the practice where boys are provided with an education, whilst the girls are kept at home to learn how to prepare meals and do household chores. Though this sounds very sexist to us, in less economically developed countries the women are prepared for marriage and this is a common practice.

 

Mr Mayanja

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