The
Hunger Cycle In t his a c t iv it y, the participants explore why it is so difficult for successive generations of poor families to break the cycle of poverty. t i m e r e q u i r e d : 2 0 to 3 0 m i n u t e s
Mat er ial s N eed ed
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» copies of the resource titled “The Hunger Cycle Game Board,” found on page 3, one for every three or four participants (printed on card stock, if possible) » copies of the resource titled “Hope Cards,” found on page 4 (printed on card stock, if possible, and cut apart as scored), enough for each small group of three or four to have one set of cards » coins (or some other object that can be used as game pieces), one for each participant » dice, one die for each small group of three or four
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Activity Steps B e gin b y noting that several factors keep families locked in the grip of hunger, generation
after generation. There are ways out of this cycle, but not many. Note that the participants will be participating in a game that will help them explore the cycle of hunger and how it might be addressed. Div id e t he l a r ge gr o up into small groups of three or four. Provide each small group
with a game board from resource 9, a set of “Hope Cards” from resource 10, coins (or other objects you selected for game pieces), and a die. Then share the following game instructions: » The goal of this game is to escape the cycle of hunger. But this game is a tough one to win. The odds are stacked against you. » Many of the world’s hungry face this situation, not as a game but as a daily reality. People simply don’t have the resources to break out of the cycle. »E ach player will begin at the starting point, rolling the die during each turn, moving his or her PA G E 1 O F 5
game piece accordingly, and following the instructions on the space where the piece lands. » If you land on a space marked “Hope,” you will need to draw a card.
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» You will have only five chances to go around the board and escape. Once you’ve moved around the board five times, you must end the game. Either you will have escaped, or you will still be stuck. C h e c k t o s e e if anyone has any questions. Once you have answered any questions, invite the
small groups to begin the game. Remind the participants to keep track of how many times they have traveled around the board. Five times is the limit. W h e n t he gr o up s have completed the game, invite them to gather back as a large group
and discuss the following questions: » What did you learn from playing the game? » For those of you who did not escape the cycle, how did you feel? What might have helped you to succeed? » For those of you who did break the cycle, how did you feel?
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» Why was breaking the cycle such a challenge? N o t e t he f o l l o wing:
» The game would have been fairer if the cards had contained more opportunities and fewer false hopes. In a similar way, as governments, non-governmental organizations, and people’s movements commit to breaking the hunger cycle through planned efforts to reduce poverty, the odds for those who are hungry will improve. » It is well established that poverty is a leading cause of hunger. But the reverse is equally true: hunger is part of a downward spiral within households that traps families in poverty for generations. According to Catherine Bertini, executive director of the World Food Program: “The damage hunger inflicts on children is often irreversible. Lasting mental and physical damage leaves them incapable of working their way out of poverty as adults. Then today’s hunger becomes tomorrow’s hunger” [World Food Summit, 1996]. » Countries face an uphill battle in trying to increase prosperity with a population hampered by hunger. Work-related productivity and education are key factors in a country’s ability to develop economically and to improve the social conditions of its people.
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» The increased rate of illness and infection associated with malnutrition takes a toll on the economy because of the extra demands on health-care services. Widespread malnutrition also puts increased demands on the education system. Malnourished children are more likely to need special education supports and to repeat grades. This increases education costs and leads to a less-educated population. C o n c l ud e b y discussing ways the participants can impact the issue of poverty. One option
would be for them to raise awareness about hunger by holding an “end world hunger” event in the community. Spend some time talking through this option, and even begin some preliminary planning. Copyright © 2008 by World Vision Resources, Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.
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Resource: Permission to reproduce is granted. Š 2008 by World Vision Resources.
Sorry, false hope.
Resource: Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2008 by World Vision Resources.
You’ve broken the hunger cycle! Valid only if you are in the “adulthood’ section of the board.
Congratulations!
Sorry, false hope.
Your village cooperates to dig a well for fresh clean water. Daily watercarrying chores are reduced by two hours. The village’s endless battle with water-born diseases begins to succeed.
Government loans are only for farmers that grow food for export. No loans are available for small farmers like you. Lose a turn.
The rains did not come, and your country has experienced a long drought. Your surplus food has been used up. Lose a turn.
Sorry, false hope.
Another older brother moves to the city but is unable to earn enough to send any extra money. Move back one space.
Sorry, false hope.
The government grants you a new piece of land, but you discover the soil is too poor to produce good crops. Move back two spaces.
Your village is not included in a new community health project. Move back two spaces.
Sorry, false hope.
The government announces a school for your area, but a coup unseats the party in power and the promise goes unkept. Lose a turn.
Sorry, false hope.
The harvest looks good, but it is destroyed by insects. Lose a turn.
Sorry, false hope.
You’ve broken the hunger cycle! Valid only if you are in the “adulthood” section of the board.
Congratulations!
Local women form a cooperative to sell crafts and make extra income for food. Roll the die. If you roll a two, four, or six, you join.
Sorry, false hope.
The harvest looks good, but it is destroyed by disease.
Sorry, false hope.
You and your family move to the city in hope of a better life. But with no skills, you can’t earn enough to buy nutritious food. Move back two spaces.
Sorry, false hope.
Your harvest was good, but 30 percent was lost in storage because of rodents and insects. Move back one space.
Sorry, false hope.
The harvest looks good, but it is destroyed by disease. Lose a turn.
You’ve broken the hunger cycle! Valid only if you are in the “adulthood” section of the board.
Congratulations!
A government program in your area teaches new techniques for making your land more productive. Roll the die. If you roll a one, three, or five, you try them and your harvest increases.
You’ve broken the hunger cycle! Valid only if you are in the “childhood” section of the board.
Congratulations!
A school opens near your farm and your parents send you. Roll the die. If you roll a 2, 4, or 6, you do well and the future looks brighter.
You’ve broken the hunger cycle! Valid only if you are in the “birth and infancy” section of the board.
Congratulations!
A community health program provides a well-baby and immunization clinic near your village. Roll the die. If you roll a 1, 3, or 5, your mother takes you.
About World Vision W o rld V i s i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. 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 nearly sixty 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. W o rld V i s i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world. By developing biblically-based materials for educators and ministry leaders on the causes and consequences of global poverty, World Vision Resources supports the organizational mandate to move the church in the United States to more fully embrace its biblical responsibility to serve the poor.
For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources www.worldvision.org wvresources@worldvision.org
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