Making+a+Difference

=Making a Difference in Africa =

In a recent chapel service, one of our 8th grade students, Sterrett, discussed his service experience in Africa while he accompanied his father, a medical doctor, on a mission trip. Our school counselor, Mrs. Eastman has spoken to many of you about her service in Uganda. Our technology guru, Mr. Mathews, spent many years in Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer. Lovett alumnus Hallie Epperson shared stories with the group about her moving experiences working in Rwanda's New Hope orphanage.

Everywhere you hear about people who want to make a difference in Africa. Whether they are members of our own Lovett community or celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey, or Bono, people want to help. There are a myriad of world organizations, private foundations, and government programs focused on providing aid to Africa. If you are one of those who wants to help, what is the best way to do so? To find an answer to this question, we are starting a project in our world geography class researching a variety of assistance programs and evaluating their effectiveness. Each student's final product will be a [|VoiceThread] presentation on this wiki in which he or she describes the assistance provided by a particular aid organization and determines whether the organization is truly MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN AFRICA. As part of your research, you will determine whether contributions to the organization which you have selected are a wise investment.

Before we start our research, though, it is important to understand that there is a variety of opinions not only on how best to provide aid to Africa, but whether such aid should be provided at all. Before you get started on your research, watch the video below on Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and George Ayittey and listen to what they had to say about aid to Africa at the 2007 TED conference. I've also posted a brief segment presentation with Bill Gates for you to peruse.

For class on Monday I would like for you to decide on an organization which you deem worthy of one's time, efforts, and financial support in MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN AFRICA. You may work solo or with one class partner on the project, and you will need to provide the name of the organization and the website affiliated with the cause. You may use one of the organizations listed on the wiki page, **"Global Greatness"**, or you may use another one found after some research. Only one organization per class period will be permitted.

__**Friday's HW**__ :
 * Who is in your group (one or two students)?
 * What is the name of your organization?
 * What cause does your organization serve (select **one** type)?
 * Where in Africa does your organization do its work (select **one** country)?
 * What is the organization's website address?

When you have all of the required information from above you may email me (bposten@lovett.org) for approval of your topic.
 * Please read through the project directions:



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