"I got to see how passionate the children were"
My brilliant Global Action Plan colleague Binah Cooper is compiling an impact report for some of the work we've been doing in schools over the last year or so. Whilst reading through all the written feedback from the teachers we've been working on she found this wonderful quote:
Assisting and supporting this programme was a real eye opener for me as I got to see how passionate the children were about helping others and the world around them. As a result of this programme, I was able to witness the children complete amazing tasks like; taking part in assemblies to promote their charities, litter picking, organising a food bank collection. Some of these activities the children may have never got to do within school if it wasn't for Global Action Plan. The children were able to expand their knowledge and learn significantly from this programme. This allowed their original passions/dreams to be fuelled and directed into reality.
The layout of the programme was amazing as it was designed in a way that the children could understand. It was perfect for their age range and was not too technical. Due to this programme, the children are now able to continue their hard work and efforts throughout their time in school. This can allow their own projects to be generated which, many of the pupils will benefit from.
There are a lot of lines from it I could highlight, but I just want to flag two key observations.
First up, there's this: 'I got to see how passionate the children were about helping others and the world around them.' What this reveals is how unusual it apparently is to witness children in mode. They just don't get enough chance to be.... how can I put this.... human(?). This is why the 'values-perception gap' and phenomena like it, are so prevalent in the UK. We are so unused to seeing each other 'helping others and the world around them' that we forget that that's what we're hard-wired to do. All of which makes us pretty pessimistic about our fellow humans and less likely to take action on social and environmental causes.
Secondly, this: 'Due to this programme, the children are now able to continue their hard work and efforts throughout their time in school.' We're always asked about 'legacy' in funding applications and so on. What this teacher has recognised is that through this programme students have gained skills and competencies that will stay with them throughout their time in school, but hopefully longer than that too. That's legacy, we build it in by focusing on developing and strengthening what we call 'Generation Action' competencies - i.e. the things we all need to be confident, capable and committed changemakers.
Do please get in touch if you'd like to talk more about all this. We're always keen to share and learn at Global Action Plan. Visit our website for more info on what we're doing to fuel the Generation Action movement.