World Vision resources

Email from Don Benn of World Vision

Hello,

My name is Don Benn and I am a Schools Relationship Coordinator with World Vision.  In addition to schools we also try to engage with students in various other groups – including churches, non-church groups, and home school groups.  I have personally connected with a couple of home school groups in the last year and thought it would be good to approach you regarding our resources.  I wonder if it would be appropriate for you to make these resources known to those involved in Home Schooling in New Zealand.  I have outlined below, with a brief detail, some of the resources we offer.  If you would like more information on them please reply and I would love to follow up on them.

1.     GLC (Global Leadership Convention).  This is a student leader (Year 11-13) leadership training day aimed at empowering and inspiring young leaders who are hungry to influence their world.  They are encouraged to think globally and are equipped with practical leadership skills.

2.    40 Hour Famine.  This is a practical way for students to act on global issues.  They are part of a national fundraiser which last year raised over $2.4 million, involving over 120,000 people in New Zealand.  It is also something which can be incorporated into learning as a practical component of a unit relating to food and hunger – for example.

3.     Education Resources.  World Vision has education writers who produce resources (resource folders, DVD’s, posters, textbooks, worksheets, simulation games) on issues like water, food, child labour, HIV & AIDS, Disasters, Conflict, and various case studies.  These resources can be found on our website (http://www.worldvision.org.nz/education/default.aspx).  In addition we have Schools Relationship Coordinators based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch who are more than willing to show you samples of those resources.

4.     Smiles.  Smiles is a catalogue of gifts that can be purchased for people in poorer nations.  It ranges from $5 items up to $1300, and covers gifts relating to water, food, shelter, hygiene, education.  It is a great practical way to finish a unit of work which relates to one of these topics.  Learning about a topic is great, and the opportunity for students to feel like they have been able to do something about what they have learned is like icing on the cake.

I would love to hear from you and see how World Vision can complement the learning already being done in home school groups around New Zealand.