Why Is There
Hunger?
IN T HIS A C T IV IT Y, participants brainstorm
possible explanations for hunger. Their reasons become hypotheses to check in the community and validate or revise based on their findings.
MAT ERIALS N EEDED
TIME REQUIRED: 30 MINUTES | INTENDED FOR GRADES 9-12
» Newsprint and markers » Pens or pencils, one for each participant » Sheets of blank paper, one for each participant
Activity Steps
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A S K T H E PA RT I C I PA N T S to break into pairs. Distribute to each pair a sheet of blank
paper and a pen or pencil. Challenge each pair to come up with the longest list of possible answers to this question: Why is there hunger?
W H E N T H E PA I R S H AV E F I N I S H E D , ask them to categorize the reasons on their lists
in the following manner: » Place an X next to the two reasons you think explain why most hungry people are hungry. » Place an O next to the reasons that best apply to people living in poor countries. » Place a checkmark next to reasons that individuals could do something about. » Place a plus sign next to reasons that indicate it is the hungry person’s fault for being hungry. PA G E 1 O F 3
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A S K T HE PA IR S T O PA RT NER with another pair. Give each team of four a sheet of
newsprint and a marker. Have the teams discuss and compare their reasons and the categories to which they assigned them. Which are the same? Different? After a few minutes, gather the participants into one group and have the participants share their reasons and why they assigned them to a particular category.
M E N T I O N T O T H E G R O U P that their reasons are simply hypotheses that need to be
tested. Brainstorm community resources they might use to verify their hypotheses. Ask the participants to go into the community to find evidence and data to check their hypotheses. Examples might include: conducting research at the local library or on the Internet; meeting with the director of a local food bank or pantry or a local governmental representative to discuss their hypothesis and check their data. Invite them to bring their findings to another meeting.
C O N C L U D E B Y I N V I T I N G T H E PA RT I C I PA N T S to join you in prayer. Pray for all those who hunger for food and clean water. Pray for those who go without food each day. Pray that we become a people who are willing to share our abundance of resources with those who go without.
Permission to reproduce is granted. Š 2011 World Vision, Inc.
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About World Vision W O R L D V IS IO N 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 Resources E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y 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 Resources Mail Stop 321 P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 Fax: 253-815-3340 wvresources@worldvision.org www.worldvisionresources.com
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