Activity 9
What’s It Worth? Aims: •• To introduce Direct Provision as the current model in Ireland for hosting Asylum Seekers. •• To facilitate the group to reflect on the spending habits of the average teen in Ireland and to contrast that with a young Asylum Seeker. Age: 10+
Goals:
Time: 80 Mins Materials: Flipchart paper, Marker, Pens, A4 paper.
Facilitators should be very mindful of whether there is someone in the group who is currently in Direct Provision. Whereas it might bring added value, this should be sensitively negotiated with the person before doing the workshop. Step 1: Divide the group into smaller groups and give them an A3 or flipchart page. Each group are asked to draw the outline of a person who will represent the average 15yr old in Ireland. Leave the inside empty and leave some space on the outside also. Step 2:Ask each group to decide what the person is “worth” by calculating the total value according to the following headings and any others they might want to add. It is important that they try to take it seriously and not go over the top either way. They must describe the item and write its value inside the graphic. ••
Clothes from head to toe including footwear.
••
Handbag or backpack that they would have. (What is in it and what’s it worth?)
••
What is in their pockets/purse/wallet?
••
Accessories (rings, hat, necklace, earrings, etc)
Step 3: Now each group must decide what amount of money this young person would spend on average each week and write the details on the outside of the graphic. Do they have a job or do they get pocket money? (E.g. if they think €50 then they might mention things like, phone credit, lunch money, pocket money, transport, cinema, books, clothes, games, club fees like GAA, dancing, football, gym, etc.). Step 4: Invite groups to share what they have come up with and to give a total value to the young person they have created. Step 5: Now ask the group if they know what happens when an asylum seeker arrives in Ireland? Explain to them that Ireland has a system called Direct Provision. Share the explanation below. Step 6: Now give each group a new piece of paper and ask them to draw a new outline on it. Explain to the group that the person in front of them now is someone who lives in Direct Provision. Remind them that this person receives set meals each day (no choice about what food), they have basic accommodation and health costs covered. Tell the group that a 15yr old in Direct Provision who lives with her mother would have €19.10 (adult allowance) plus €15.60 (child allowance) per week. Neither adult nor teen is allowed to work while in DP. So, a total of €35.70.
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