Lessons:

Teaching for Children
Can be adopted for any age; have used on 1st through 6th graders

Similarities/Differences
Start with a power point presentation of pictures of children in Ghana. After the children see the presentation talk about what they saw that is similar to their lives and what are some of the differences.

Similarities:
Children are smiling and happy
Children love their families
They love to play soccer (football)
They love to have their picture taken
Brothers and sisters fight
They are competitive and want to win in a game
They have some schools
Some of their clothes were the same as ours
They have teachers
They have line up by class when asked and follow rules
They have hopes and dreams

Differences:
Their soccer fields have no grass
Their balls are very old and often flat (if they have one)
Most schools do not have electricity or plumbing
There are few or no school supplies
Their water is often not clean
They do not have as many clothes, toys, etc.
They do not have a lot of material possessions
Many live in huts

World Economics
Why is it this way? What is the difference between there and here? This is where you can teach about world economics. Give everyone a sheet of paper with something written on it as described below:

25% of people get something with $1 on it (coupon, written on paper, etc.)
25% of people get something with $2 on it (coupon, written on paper, etc.)
50% of people (minus 1 person) get something with $22 on it
1 person gets a golden ticket or something similar

Tell the group that everyone there represents the world?Äôs population. So just imagine for a minute that everyone in the world is now in this room. Have everyone with $1 stand up and explain that they represent the people in the world that live on less than $1 per day. That is for food, shelter, clothing and anything else they need to buy.

Have everyone with $2 stand up and explain that they represent the people in the world that live on between $1 and $2 per day.

Have everyone with $22 stand up and explain that they represent the rest of the world. The average income around the world is $22 per day.

Finally have the last person stand up. Write what the average income per day is in your area which can usually be found at the local Chamber of Commerce. The average per day income in Mason is $215.

Let the kids process and discuss this. This is why it is so important for us to help others, especially in other countries.

Chocolate lesson (older kids)
For older kids can add in an economics lesson on chocolate. Ghana and Ivory Coast is the world?Äôs largest producer of cocoa. Talk about how cocoa beans grown in Ghana end up as chocolate on our store shelves

Craft (younger kids)
Show a picture of the flag from Ghana and explain what each color represents:
Green represents that Ghana lies is the tropics and blessed with rich vegetation
Gold represents the mineral rich nature of the lands
Red commemorates those who died or worked for the country?Äôs independence
The five pointed lone star is the symbol of African emancipation and unity in the struggle against colonialism

Have the kids make a flag with green, red and yellow felt. Cut the colored felt into 6 inch strips. Glue the gold on bottom of the red, and then the green on bottom of the gold. Have a precut black star out of card stock or felt and glue in the center. When assembled staple to a flag stick this can be found at most craft stores.

Exploring Time
If you have access to musical instruments, clothes or any other artifacts from Ghana or Africa set these up in stations and let the kids play with them.

Closing
Close the session by talking about how we can help:
Raise money
Collect items to be taken over to Ghana ?Äì talk to a team member but examples are toothpaste, toothbrushes, children clothing, etc.
Pray for the people of Ghana

Could you make a contribution to help our efforts in Ghana?
As we are a 501(c)( 3) nonprofit organization, any donations made are tax deductible.
Thank you for any assistance you can offer.