Aim:
- To develop empathy for those forced to flee from their homes.
- To encourage students to explore what they value
- To encourage students to look at the difference between needs and wants
- To develop decision-making and cooperation skills.
What you need:
- Paper and pens/pencils
What to do:
- Read out the following scenario to the class:
Some officials with guns have just come to your door. They have told you that the land you are living has been sold to a company to grow palm oil. They say the land doesn’t belong to you and you must leave immediately. You have ten minutes to get everything you need. If you don’t leave in ten minutes,your house will be set on fire with you in it. You can only take what you can put in your bag and carry. - Tell each student that they have ten minutes to write or draw as many things as they can think of that they would want to take with them. Ask them then to choose and mark the ten most important
- Ask students to get into groups and read out their lists to each other. Now ask students todecide what ten things they would take as a group. Write or draw each item on a card and put them into a bag.
- Each group then reads out what they have decided to put in their bag. How did you decide what to take?
a) Individually?
b) As a group - Now ask the groups the following:
- You have been walking for hours, you are thirsty and hungry. How many of you brought food and water?
- You have fallen and cut your leg. How many of you packed a first aid kit?
- The Red Cross wants to help you, but you must prove your identity. How many of you brought your passport?
- You need to buy some provisions. How many of you brought money?
Reflection and Evaluation
As a class discuss the following points:
- Was it difficult to decide what to take with you? Why?
- How did you decide what items you would take with you?
- How long do you think you would be able to carry your bag?
- How long do you think you’d survive with just your bag?
- Is there anything you left behind that you regret not taking?
- If you had more time, would you have made different choices?
From www.onthelandwestand.org.uk adapted from SCIAF - Our Past is their Present
