A group walk and discussion about the role of
women as water collectors in developing countries
Expectations:
Health and Physical Education – Active Participation: 7p31 – Physical Activity: 7p36
Global
Water Stats
Canadian
Water Stats
Materials:
Appropriate walking shoes and outdoor clothes
5-10 kg weights
Teaching
strategies
Lead the class on a kilometre long walk, with each student carrying an appropriate weight (5- 10kg). You can use stones, books, dumbbells, etc as weights. If there are not enough weights to go around, divide students into groups and ask them to take turns carrying the weight, without letting it touch the ground.
Explain to the students that many people in developing countries, usually women and girls, have to walk several kilometres for water. Once filled, their water jugs can weigh as much as 20 kilograms. Have them think about how tiring it was to walk a fraction of that distance, with a fraction of that weight.
Ask them how they feel after learning this information. Have his or her opinions changed about the importance of access to water for everyone. How does it make them feel about the access to water that we have in this country?
Once back in class, invite the students to write a journal entry about their thoughts on the role of women in developing countries. Ask students to think about some of the other things women and children could be doing with their time instead of walking kilometers to collect water.
