The aim of the game is for players to understand
some of the pressures facing poor farmers in the
developing world; that many factors are completely
out of their hands and that it is still possible to be
poor even if you work very hard. The game leads
naturally on to introducing the concept of fair trade
and how this makes a difference to producers.
The game went very well. At first things were under control, but then things started to get interesting when suddenly families could not pay for their costs of living as family members got sick or died and they had to pay costs involved.
It was also a good experience for our students as a maths inquiry as students had to discuss borrowing money at a rate of interest and the money lender had to work out how much they would pay back.
Our market traders got to consider what the quality of the oranges actually looked like that they would buy from the families, and consider the price to buy the oranges for due to changes in the economy, such as inflation. They also had to at times increase their prices for other tools that the families may have needed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
It was decided by the end of the game (the end of the day was near) that we needed more exposure to this game as students had figured out ways to make things work that did not cost money and really started to think outside the box.
So, we shall play this again tomorrow and see how much the families can make. Here are the results from yesterday and some reflection questions that we discussed after each session.
Family 1: Made a profit of $35
Family 2: Made a loss of $90
Family 3: Made a profit of $10
Family 4: Made a profit of $10
Debrief questions:
Here are some photos for you to enjoy:
The game went very well. At first things were under control, but then things started to get interesting when suddenly families could not pay for their costs of living as family members got sick or died and they had to pay costs involved.
It was also a good experience for our students as a maths inquiry as students had to discuss borrowing money at a rate of interest and the money lender had to work out how much they would pay back.
Our market traders got to consider what the quality of the oranges actually looked like that they would buy from the families, and consider the price to buy the oranges for due to changes in the economy, such as inflation. They also had to at times increase their prices for other tools that the families may have needed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond their control.
It was decided by the end of the game (the end of the day was near) that we needed more exposure to this game as students had figured out ways to make things work that did not cost money and really started to think outside the box.
So, we shall play this again tomorrow and see how much the families can make. Here are the results from yesterday and some reflection questions that we discussed after each session.
Family 1: Made a profit of $35
Family 2: Made a loss of $90
Family 3: Made a profit of $10
Family 4: Made a profit of $10
Debrief questions:
- After every game ask the following to the families.
- How much do you have?
- How much is owed to the Cost-of-Living Collector
- How much is owed to the Money Lender?
2. Did any family manage to make ends meet?
- How? (Or why not?)
- Did families help each other to survive?
- Why/Why not?
3. Ask the group as a whole:
- Did you feel you had control over your livelihoods?
- Who was in control?
Here are some photos for you to enjoy:
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