Build Africa USA

c/o Chapel and York Limited, 1000 N West Street, Suite 1200 Wilmington, DE 19801 501 (c) (3) organization (46-1439696)

E: schools@build-africa.org

W: build-africa.com

Learning Objective:

Find solutions to problems faced by schools in Uganda

and Kenya

Resources:

Picture problem cards Solution labels

Starter:

Introduce the children to Build Africa by showing their website: http://www.build-africa.com

o Explain that Build Africa is a charity that works in rural Uganda and Kenya. They aim to help often vulnerable children receive a quality education so that when they grow up they will be able to get jobs, look after their families and lead productive, happy lives.

Remind the children that in the previous lessons we have found out ways their lives are similar to those of children in Uganda and Kenya, as well as ways they are different. We have also looked at ways that school buildings in Uganda and Kenya are different from our own.

o Key Question: Can you remember in what ways our school buildings are different? Refer back to previous lesson: classrooms with no walls and holes in the roofs; some classrooms outside; few tables and chairs; blackboards; ‘hole in the ground’ toilets; no water at school.

o Explain that whilst it is often good to celebrate differences, these differences to the school buildings and resources mean that children who go to those schools cannot get as good an education as we do.

Main Activity:

Explain that whenever we are faced with a problem we need to find a way to solve it whether it is a maths problem or an issue with our friends at play time. Explain that this is called finding a solution.

Demonstrate the independent work game called ‘Problem pictures’:

Independent work game ‘Problem Pictures’

Put the children in mixed ability groups of about 6 with one set of ‘Problem picture’ cards. Within the group create 3 mixed ability pairs.

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To play the game put the cards face down on the table; pairs take it in turns to turn over a card and read the problem to the rest of the group.

Using the picture to help their thinking the pair tries to suggest a solution to the problem e.g.

Problem: When it rains our library books get wet because there is a hole in the thatched roof’. A solution could be ‘Mend the hole’.

If the rest of the group think their solution is a sensible one they keep the card. Once all the picture problem cards have been used the winning pair is the one who have the most picture problem cards (and therefore suggested the most sensible solutions).

Plenary Key Question: How easy was it to think of solutions?

Explain that Build Africa tries to help schools find solutions to problems like these.

o One solution is to help schools improve their buildings and resources. Use the label ‘Solution: Improve school buildings and resources’ and stick this onto a sorting area (e.g. a sorting hoop or box) at the front of the class.

o Explain that in America teachers have to have a degree qualification before they are allowed

to teach. That means that they learn how to teach children and have had a good education themselves. Explain how in rural Uganda and Kenya teachers often do not have any qualifications and sometimes haven’t finished school themselves. Key Question: What problems might this cause?

o What might a solution be? Use the label ‘Solution: Teacher training’ and stick this onto

another sorting area. Explain that this is another solution that Build Africa offers.

o Show the final solution label ‘Solution: Teach children about keeping healthy’. You may be able to refer to work with your own class about keeping healthy. Key Question: Why is it important to keep healthy? What does keeping healthy mean?

Look again at some of the ‘picture problem’ cards used in the game and have a go at sorting them

under these different headings by asking children to explain the solutions they suggested e.g. Problem: When it rains our library books get wet because there is a hole in the thatched roof’. A solution could be ‘Mend the hole’. This would be sorted into the Solution: Improve school buildings and resources hoop.

Finish by explaining that charities like Build Africa can only help schools with these types of

solutions if they get support and money from people in America. This includes your school. By supporting Build Africa’s work you will be helping rural schools to find solutions to many of their problems and help the children have a better education and a better future.

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Problem: We do not have enough classrooms so some children have to sit outside

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Problem: We do not have enough teachers so there are lots of children in each class

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Problem: We do not have enough chairs and tables so some children have to sit on the floor

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Problem: There are no walls in the classrooms so children get wet when it rains

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Problem: We do not have enough toilets

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Problem: Teachers don’t want to come and work at our school because we can’t give them a place to live

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Problem: We do not have enough books to help children read and learn

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Problem: We do not have enough libraries so when it rains our books get wet. We would love to have a library like this!

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Problem: We do not have any water at school. We would love to have a water pump like this!

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Problem: We do not have water to wash our hands after going to the toilet so children get sick

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Problem: Not all schools can give children school dinners like this so children are hungry

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Problem: Our teacher would like to learn how to teach us better

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Solution:

Improve school

buildings and resources

Build Africa | 2015

Solution:

Teacher training

Build Africa | 2015

Solution:

Teach children about keeping healthy