PA G E N O . 1 O F 4 PA G E 1 O F 6

ImageIN THIS ACTIVITY, participants will understand that some children have limited school resources.

T I M E R E Q U I R E D : 2 0 M I N U T E S | I N T E N D E D F O R G R A D E S 1 - 5

Splitting

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ED » Newsprint and markers

» Pens or pencils, one for each participant

» Copies of Handout 3, “Splitting Images Photo—Left Side,” found on page 4, one for each participant

» Copies of Handout 4, “Splitting Images Photo—Right Side,” found on page 5, one for each participant

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Activity Steps

GIVE EACH PARTICIPANT A COPY of the “Splitting Images Photo—Left Side” handout and a pen or pencil. The photo features a teacher standing at a blackboard. Do not reveal any background information about the photo. Ask the participants to think about what the missing part of the photo might look like. Instruct them to brainstorm possible responses and questions prompted by the split photo and to write them across the top or on the back of the handout.

ASK THE PARTICIPANTS TO CHOOSE one of their ideas and complete the photo by drawing the missing half on the blank part of the handout.

PA G E 2 O F 6

AFTER ALL THE DRAWINGS ARE COMPLETED, invite the participants to form groups of four and share their completed drawings. Ask them to look for similarities and differences in their drawn predictions.

DISTRIBUTE A COPY of the “Splitting Images Photo—Right Side” handout to each participant. Explain that the scene is a typical school classroom in Malawi, Africa. Provide the following information about Malawi: » Malawi is a beautiful country nicknamed “the warm heart of Africa” because the

people are so friendly. Tourists visit Malawi to see its national parks, where there are leopards, elephants, zebras, and other animals.

» The country is home to about 12.8 million people, with 90 percent of them depending on agriculture to make a living. Most people live in rural areas, growing enough maize to feed their families plus a little extra to sell.

» There are two seasons each year—a wet season from November to March and a dry season from April to October. For four months during the dry season, there is no rain at all, so farmers can usually plant and grow their crops only during the wet season. In some years, there is a drought when the rains hardly come at all, so the maize crops fail.

» The country has had a long drought in recent years, with up to 25 percent of people experiencing food shortages for six to nine months of the year.

» Malawi is a very poor country. The main crops are tobacco, sugar cane, and tea. There are tobacco, tea, cement, and cotton factories in the cities of Lilongwe and Blantyre.

» There are a number of health risks in Malawi. Hunger, protein deficiency, and diarrhea cause many problems, especially for young children. Many people get sick because they don’t have clean drinking water. Mosquitoes carry malaria—a disease that causes ongoing chills and fevers. Malawi’s main health problem is HIV and AIDS.

» Newspapers are published in the main cities, but about 40 percent of adults cannot read or write. There are more than 2.6 million radios tuning in to 15 radio stations. The main language spoken in Malawi is Chichewa, but most people who have been to school can speak some English.

» Religion is important to people, and about 90 percent of people in Malawi go to a church or a mosque.

» Most of the countryside has no electricity, so people use firewood for cooking. Mobile phones outnumber telephones because the telephone system is limited to towns. Offices in the cities use computers.

» Malawi was ruled by Britain from 1878 until 1964. In 1964, the country won independence from Britain and was ruled by the dictator President Hastings Kamuu Banda. In 1994, it became a democracy, with an elected government and elections held every five years.

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PA G E 3 O F 6

COMPARE THE GROUP drawings with the actual missing piece of the photo by discussing the following questions: » Compare your prediction with the actual picture. What is in the missing photo piece

that you did not expect? » What common elements show up in the drawings of your group members? » In what ways is the schooling experience of these children different from yours? » What would it be like to go to a school like this one? » Can young people learn effectively in such an environment? If yes, explain why. If no,

what do they need to improve their learning situation?

CONCLUDE BY INVITING the participants to join you in prayer. Pray that all children are given the chance to learn and grow in their knowledge. Pray for those children who currently do not receive an education because they are poor. Pray that all people, especially government leaders, will come to understand the importance and value of an education for all.

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PA G E 4 O F 6

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Splitting Images Photograph—

Left side

Perm

ission to reproduce is granted. © 2011 by W

orld Vision, Inc.

PA G E 5 O F 6

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Splitting Images Photograph—

Right Side

Perm

ission to reproduce is granted. © 2011 by W

orld Vision, Inc.

PA G E 6 O F 6

About World VisionWORLD VISION is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.

About World Vision ResourcesENDING GLOBAL POVERTY and injustice begins with education: understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world.

World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.

For more information about our resources, contact:

World Vision ResourcesMail Stop 321P.O. Box 9716

Federal Way, WA 98063-9716Fax: 253-815-3340

wvresources@worldvision.orgwww.worldvisionresources.com