Geography Departments want their pupils to ‘step into’ the slums

New Delhi, India. Photo by Ben Solanky

“To understand a person you must first walk a mile in their shoes”- African Proverb.   

School Geography departments in the UK are using our experiential activities as key components in their curriculums to help deepen their pupils’ understanding of poverty.

Poverty Focus days have become an annual feature for a number of schools in the UK including Sevenoaks School and Headington Girls School. Geography departments are keen to use the day as essential kinaesthetic learning around the topics of poverty and the less economically developed countries.

The programmes have grown from The Poverty Trap simulation to include a whole day of activities.  This ‘journey’ of understanding includes; slum lunches, workshop and feedback sessions, as well as presentations from the broader school, alumni and other charities.

Mrs MacLeay from Sevenoaks School geography department says:

“As a teacher I’m delighted that our students are being challenged to become agents of change as they step into the shoes of the world’s poorest“

Mr Cunningham, Head of Geography from Headington Girls School tweeted that simulations serve to “bring issues to life” for the school.

Please get in touch if you are interested in running a themed day at your school, workplace or community group.

Sixth form Sevenoaks School student addresses Y9 after the Poverty Trap simulation