GESL: Poverty Simulation in GYPS

Project Description

CSI--- Care Serve Inspire CSI has jointly work together with Envisage Education to provide Guangyang Primary School a post-examinations activity titled, 'Poverty Simulation'.  Envisage is a team of social entrepreneurs who are committed to youths' holistic development through the usage of simulation tools that helps students become better citizens and socially conscious about problems within our society through experiential learning process. One of their main program is the Poverty Simulation, a simulation tool developed by the Missouri Community Action Agency (From the US). It is a comprehensive programme where participants will role-play various characters, profiled according to true-cases of members of a family suffering from urban poverty. Through this manner, students will have the opportunity to put themselves in the shoes of the less fortunate and in turn develop a greater appreciation for family, education and financial literacy. Thus far, this programme has reached out to more than 1,000 students from various schools, including Cedar Girls' Secondary School, Commonwealth Secondary School and Yu Ying Secondary School. This programme was also featured on radio station 93.8. Poverty simulation has been a very successful programme in secondary schools. However, it has yet to be introduced to primary schools. As such, CSI and Envisage hope to extend our reach and work together on a Poverty Simulation pilot project, involving primary school students. If successful, we may consider introducing this programme to more primary schools.  Poverty Simulation (PS) The Poverty Simulation is a role-playing, experiential learning program that puts participants into the shoes of the less fortunate. They will play the role of an individual who comes from an impoverish family. Together with other family members, they will have to stay united in meeting various challenges imposed unto them, such as paying the large number of debts and bills, fight for a job or even protect the family assets against external perpetrators. Objectives Nurture empathy for low-income families in our society Comprehend social problems arising from poverty and one’s role in tackling this issue Foster a deeper appreciation for one’s family Apprehend the importance of financial literacy and academic pursuits for a brighter future Cultivate goal-oriented behaviour 2. Envisage Social Enterprise Experience Programme The Envisage Social Enterprise Experience program aims to nurture budding social entrepreneurs and equip them with basic business concepts and skills. At the end of the program, students will be equipped with social entrepreneurial skills and marketing techniques to create sustainable social impact for the community. They will also obtain valuable practical experience of applying these skills in real life scenarios. Objectives By the end of the program, students will be able to: Understand the different models of social enterprises Understand and apply some basic tools to analyze market needs for a social enterprise Understand and utilize the 4Ps of marketing for a social enterprise Empathize with disadvantaged communities and learn to appreciate their talents and abilities that may be commercialized through social entrepreneurship Execute the pilot run of their social entrepreneurship ideas For more information, visit their website at: http://www.envisage.com.sg/index.html

https://sites.google.com/site/qgs501aug2012g16/

Date & Time:       7 November 2012, 10.30am to 1.00pm
Partner School:    Guangyang Primary School
                          6 Bishan Street 12
                          Singapore 579806

These are just some snapshots taken on the actual day of the event.