Host a dinner where guests are divided into 3 groups, representing the world’s unequal distribution of resources. Specifically, attendees will be grouped as follows: the well-fed or over-fed, the adequately fed, and the hungry or starving.
As participants arrive, hand them an Identity Card, which states their income group, as well as information about their personal background. Ask participants to find a seat in the corresponding section: High Income Group, Middle Income Group and Low Income Group.
High Income Group: 15% of participants receives a sumptuous, three-course meal. They are seated at nicely set tables, with beautiful centerpieces, real dishes, etc. As part of the centerpiece, post a sign that reads as follows:
If you are sitting at this table, you represent the 15% of the world’s population that is fortunate enough to be able to afford a daily nutritious meal. As a group, you consume 70% of the grain grown in the world. You live in comfortable and secure homes, you own at least one car, and you take an annual 2-week vacation.
Middle Income Group: 30% of participants
receives a simple meal consisting of rice, beans,
bread and something to drink. They sit on chairs
arranged in circles, as though around a table, but
there are no tables. In the center of each group’s
area, post a sign on the floor that states the following:
If you are sitting here, you represent
the 30% of the world’s population that has
varying levels of access to security. You live
on the edge of poverty, and if you lost your job,
or suffered from a serious illness, you would
sink into poverty. You work long hours, performing
backbreaking work, but you cannot afford food
for your children. Life is hard, but you still
feel there’s hope.
Low Income Group: 55% of participants are not served a meal; instead, they wait in line for small portions of rice and water. They are seated on the floor. In the middle of their area, post a sign that states the following:
If you are sitting on the floor, you
represent the majority of the world’s population,
and you struggle every day to meet your family’s
basic needs. If you are lucky enough to work,
you are most likely a farm worker who must give
your landowner 75 percent of your harvest.
Once everyone is seated in the appropriate section, ask the Master of Ceremonies to explain to everyone that the world essentially breaks down according to these groups.
While they are seated in their groups, ask participants to take turns sharing their new identities. Once everyone has told his/her story, have each group pick a representative. These representatives should then go around to members of the other 2 groups and spend 2 minutes at each table, introducing themselves and explaining their economic situations.
Once everyone is back with his/her own group, have the Master of Ceremonies open up time for questions, comments and reactions by the participants.
Conclusion: Share additional hunger facts with the
participants. Then ask participants what they think
can and should be done to end this inequity.
| Sample
Identity Cards |
High Income Group:
My name is Laura. My grandparents immigrated
to America from Italy, and I was raised in
a suburb of Chicago. I graduated from law
school, and started my own law practice. I
have also started my own non-profit organization
that pays college tuition for exceptional
students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
My name is Jose. I live in Mexico City,
and have attended private schools my whole
life. I have done some volunteer work in
a village surrounding my city. I really
enjoyed that experience, and when I graduate
from college with a degree in Economics,
I want to find my own way of helping people
around the world.
My name is Shoshana, and I have my own
business selling postcards outside of the
tourist area in Jerusalem. I work very hard,
from 9am to midnight every day. Although
the economy and tourism have declined in
recent years, I have always done well enough
to feed my family.
Middle Income Group:
My name is Steven. I am 50 years old, and
am disabled. I had an accident at work and
lost the use of my hands. After the accident,
I became depressed and turned to drinking.
However, I am now sober, and I go to AA
meetings twice a week. I live in a shelter,
and I am working towards getting my GED.
My name is Francine, and I am 40 years
old. I own a small flower shop. I didn’t
go to college because my family could not
afford to send me. However, one of my childhood
friends went to college, and helped me start
my business. Although we help each other
out, life is difficult and my company is
small.
My name is Jennifer. My husband left me
when I became pregnant with our fifth child,
leaving me to raise the children and take
care of the house by myself. I took a job
in a textile factory where I work long hours.
I make just enough money to feed my children
but don’t get to spend as much time
with them as I would like.
Low Income Group:
My name is Elizabeth. Years ago, my father
grew corn, yams and mung beans on our land
in the Philippines. I always thought that
one day my children would do the same. Now
our land is a part of a large sugar plantation,
and we cut cane for 35 cents a day. My young
son works in the field, but he is very weak
because he doesn’t get enough to eat.
My name is Rebecca. My husband and I used
to live in Sudan, where we grew our own
food. However, when the civil war broke
out, we were forced to flee to Ethiopia,
and we moved to a refugee camp. Our youngest
baby died along the way. When the refugee
camp collapsed under the new government,
we were forced to survive by eating wild
plants. We now live in a camp for displaced
people. I pray for the end of the war, when
we can finally live in peace back in our
home in Sudan.
My name is Miguel, and I come from El Salvador.
I immigrated to the United States together
with my family when I was very young. I
got a job working as a sugar farmer, and
because I am an illegal alien, I am forced
to work 11 hours a day. I make very little
money, but the work is steady and secure.
I have a dream that some day I will own
my own farm. |
|
