Global Issue Project
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Each year, Global Studies juniors are tasked with creating a comprehensive Global Issue Project. These projects involve identifying a significant global challenge and exploring its connection to the themes and skills we’ve learned throughout the program. For my project, I am focusing on food insecurity in Kenya, examining its primary causes and underlying factors. To deepen my understanding, I had the opportunity to engage in an insightful hour-long conversation with a young woman from Kenya, where I gained valuable perspectives on the daily struggles faced by many. Additionally, I hosted a teaching session at my school to educate my peers on this critical issue. Completing this project not only enhances our understanding of global challenges but also allows us to apply our academic knowledge to real-world problems, fostering a deeper sense of global responsibility.
Interview
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Interviewer: Can you tell us about the food insecurity situation in your community, especially among farmers?
Interviewee: Sure. In my community, food insecurity is a big issue, especially in rural areas where farmers struggle to grow nutritious crops. They often don't plant fruits and vegetables, so there's a lack of healthy food options, leading to poor nutrition. The area around our school is very dry and hot, making it tough for farmers to grow anything. As a result, children and residents mainly rely on beans and maize, which don't provide essential vitamins. Malnutrition is a significant problem here, with many kids suffering from vitamin deficiencies.
Interviewer: How does this compare to the situation in Nairobi?
Interviewee: In Nairobi, people have better access to a variety of foods, but in rural areas like ours, the main sources of food insecurity are harsh weather conditions and a lack of agricultural knowledge. Farmers around our school aren't familiar with local plants or how to grow diverse crops, which contributes to food insecurity. While organizations like the World Health Organization provide food aid, it's often temporary and not very effective because it only lasts for a short period.
Interviewer: What kind of support have you received from organizations in the past?
Interviewee: Previously, the World Health Organization distributed food in schools, but that has stopped. American aid, which is used to help, has also decreased. Educating farmers and providing them with the necessary supplies, like seeds and training on how to plant crops, could significantly improve the situation. Transporting food from wetter areas and introducing new crops could also help alleviate food insecurity.
Interviewer: What are the main challenges caused by malnutrition in your community?
Interviewee: Malnutrition weakens people physically, especially children who don't get the right diet. The main reasons for food insecurity are climate conditions and a lack of knowledge. Solving this issue requires collective effort and cooperation between different countries. For example, Kenya could benefit from crops grown in South Africa. However, the lack of mass media access means that many people are not aware of these solutions. Working together globally, we can address food insecurity and improve the lives of many.
Interviewer: Food insecurity is a significant issue in many parts of the world. Can you tell us about the situation in your community in Kenya?
Interviewee: Absolutely. In my community, especially in rural areas, food insecurity is a big problem. Farmers here often don't plant fruits and vegetables, which leads to a lack of nutritious food options. The area around our school is very dry and hot, making it tough for farmers to grow crops. As a result, children and residents mainly rely on beans and maize, which don't provide the essential vitamins needed for a healthy diet. Malnutrition is a significant issue, with many kids suffering from vitamin deficiencies.
Interviewer: What kind of support did you receive in the past, and what has changed?
Interviewee: Previously, the World Health Organization distributed food in schools, but that has stopped. American aid, which is used to help, has also decreased. Educating farmers and providing them with necessary supplies like seeds and training on how to plant crops could make a big difference. Transporting food from wetter areas and introducing new crops could also help alleviate food insecurity.
Interviewer: How does malnutrition affect the community, especially the children?
Interviewee: Malnutrition weakens people physically, particularly children who don't get the right diet. They suffer from vitamin deficiencies and other health issues. The main reasons for food insecurity here are the climate conditions and a lack of knowledge among farmers.
Interviewer: What do you think is needed to solve this issue?
Interviewee: Solving this issue requires a collective effort and cooperation between different countries. For example, Kenya could benefit from crops grown in South Africa. However, the lack of mass media access means that many people aren't aware of these solutions. Working together globally, we can address food insecurity and improve the lives of many.
Lesson Plan: Food Insecurity in Kenya
Objective:
Students will understand the causes, impacts, and potential solutions to food insecurity in Kenya.
Grade Level:
High School (Grades 9-12)
Duration:
30 minutes
Materials:
- Projector and computer
- PowerPoint presentation
- Videos on food insecurity
- Whiteboard and markers
- Internet access for research
- Kahoot
Lesson Outline:
Introduction (5 minutes)
- Icebreaker: Ask students what they know about food insecurity and if they have heard about it in the context of Kenya.
- Objective Overview: Explain the objectives of the lesson and what students will learn.
Presentation on Food Insecurity in Kenya (10 minutes)
- Definition of Food Insecurity: Explain what food insecurity is and its global context.
- Causes of Food Insecurity in Kenya:
- Climate change and drought
- Poor agricultural practices
- Economic factors
- Political instability
- Lack of infrastructure
- Impacts of Food Insecurity:
- Malnutrition and health issues
- Economic consequences
- Social and political instability
- Current Statistics: Present current data on food insecurity in Kenya.
Discussion (5 minutes)
- Video: Show a short documentary or news clip on food insecurity in Kenya.
- Discussion: Facilitate a discussion based on the video. Ask students:
- What did they learn from the video?
- How do they feel about the situation in Kenya?
- What similarities and differences do they see compared to their own country?
Group Activity (5 minutes)
- Divide into Groups: Split the class into small groups.
- Research Task: Each group researches one aspect of food insecurity in Kenya (e.g., causes, impacts, solutions).
- Presentation Preparation: Groups prepare a brief presentation on their findings.
Conclusion and Reflection (5 minutes)
- Summary: Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson.
- Reflection: Ask students to reflect on what they learned and how they can contribute to solving food insecurity globally.
- Homework Assignment: Assign a short essay on potential solutions to food insecurity in Kenya or a related topic.
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By the end of my lesson, students should have a comprehensive understanding of the issue of food insecurity in Kenya and be able to discuss potential solutions.