Department of Biology Minority International Research Training |
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Department of Biology Minority International Research Training |
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March 2002 |
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(Photos from March 2002 are posted below)
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Peace Pole: All the students gathered |
by Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald, July 2002 Heifer Project International is designed to teach people about the global community. In addition, HPI teaches visitors about the care and raising of a variety of farm animals. The purpose of this retreat was to educate students about the general housing conditions of most of the world. Team building skills were also developed within the group. Our Trip to Perryville
Ark (March 2002)
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Appalachia at the Global Village |
An
Americore Volunteer that introduced us to HPI met us. He took us
on a tour of global village. Beginning at the Peace Pole, we traveled
to representative villages within the global village. Each individual
village represents the way a majority of people from a given country live.
Appalachia: This wooden structure would be considered by many to be poor. However, in the global community, it is one of the better homes. It has a wood burning stove, a bed, a porch, and an outhouse. The house was not airtight with spaces between the boards. Africa: This round hut was built in the traditional style, because many natives believe evil spirits live in corners. This hut had a concrete floor (in country it would have probably been dirt). In addition, the house had a system to obtain water for the village and the animals as well as an outhouse. |
The stove in Appalachia (Global Village) |
China
(not used by our group). This building was built up off the ground
with the animals below the floor (for safety and control of the animals).
Barrio: This housing was made from discarded materials. Similar to favals and other poor street type dwellings. The outhouse was substandard. Guatemala: This was the best designed home, with adobe walls, beds, water (cistern), a stove, and a garden. In addition there were rabbits. We were shown how to raise rabbits in minimal space and to fully utilize waste for the garden. Continued below... |
Students on tour of Appalachia at Global Village |
Students tour Global Village animal pens, Appalachia |
Global Village: Africa |
After our tour we reassembled and drew numbers. Participants were assigned to one of four villages based on the percentage of people worldwide that live in that area and our total number of participants. All adults were considered two year olds and had to be taken care of. Water balloons were distributed to the group members as babies. If anything happened to the baby the whole village had to mourn for 30 minutes and not do any work. The “strongest” individual in the group was made handicapped (placed on crutches). Each village was given a commodity and participants had to work together to trade and obtain all things necessary to cook a meal. |
Inside a thatched hut: Global Village Africa |
Commodities:
Everyone had rice and some cooking pans.
Guatemala: These individuals (actually the one adult) decided if a rabbit would be eaten or not. In addition they had water and vegetables. One adult and one child Appalachia: They had wood, oil, and spices. Two adults and one child Africa: They had milk, eggs and drinking water. Three adults and one baby Barrio: Six adults and two babies. Their commodity was their labor. |
How to get water in Africa, Global Village |
It
was cold and dark; we had to trade and work together to obtain all of the
material to have a full meal. We were told we needed to stay with
our family in each village. The Barrio members had the most people
and the least amount of materials. Guatemala was the wealthiest and
it seemed like a waste with all that they had. They voted to cook
a rabbit and we all were alllowed to eat some of it. In Appalachia,
it was easy to cook with the stove but as the evening wore on it got cold
because someone had to stay awake and restart the fire. Africa was
very cold with the concrete floor. All of the babies died.
In the morning we were all thankful that we only stayed in the global village one night. We had a debriefing session to share our impressions and then we started the team building events that included a series of exercises directed by the HPI facilitators. We finished and headed back to Memphis with a little understanding of how lucky we were and knowing each other a lot better. |
Lecture on tour |
Africa at the Global Village |
Africa at the Global Village |
How to get water in Africa at Global Village |
Animals to care for |
Learning about animals |
View from Africa of Global Village |
Global Village, China. Barrio visit |
Global Village, China |
Animals at Guatemala, Global Village |
Sunset: Beginning of a long, cold night |
Barrio members Monique, Rosiland, and Amanda warm up on their visit to Appalchia |
Salithia and Carla cook rice and corn bread on the wood stove in Appalachia |
Team building |
Team building |
Heifer
International’s Learning Center in Arkansas is a "hands-on campus that
teach the public about world hunger. Through education that emphasizes
experience, the centers’ outdoor 'living classrooms' acquaint visitors
with Heifer's mission and the needs of those whom the organization serves.
Guests learn about the root causes of hunger and poverty and the way animals
— and people — can make a difference." .... "Heifer's learning centers
demonstrate Heifer's environmentally sound farming practices and use techniques
and resources similar to those employed by the low-income families who
receive assistance from Heifer."
"Heifer Ranch Global Village and Challenge Course Stay overnight in a typical international house, then test your group's communication skills and teamwork." Source: Heifer Project Web Site |
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