Learning to Give, Curriculum Division of The LEAGUE
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Purpose:
Using the example of Benjamin Franklin’s philanthropy, learners will research the work of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and analyze why their work cannot wholly be replicated by government.
Duration:
Two Forty-Five Minute Class Periods
Objectives:
The learner will:
list examples of the philanthropy of Benjamin Franklin and explain why Franklin helped define "good citizenship."
define and identify non-governmental organizations (NGO) and analyze why they are needed.
Service Experience:
Learners will research the work of North American NGOs and select one to support with a financial contribution.
Materials:
- Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) (Attachment One)
- Large map of the world
- Glass headed pins or tacks
- Learner copies of Reporter’s Account (Attachment Two)
Instructional Procedure(s):
Anticipatory Set:
As a review of Benjamin Franklin’s role as a philanthropist (see Lesson One: Active Citizenship through the Spectacles of Benjamin Franklin), ask the learners, "How did Benjamin Franklin help others by finding solutions to problems?" (He invented bifocals, the flexible urinary catheter, the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, the odometer, the long arm for reaching things, swim fins and the glass armonica, a musical instrument. He suggested watertight compartments in ships’ holds, printed weather forecasts, charted the Gulf Stream, served as a diplomat and Postmaster of Philadelphia, launched projects to pave, clean and light Philadelphia’s streets, organized a Night Watch and Militia for Philadelphia, proposed Daylight Savings Time, wrote an anti-slavery treatise, worked on founding documents of the United States of America, used political cartoons to satirize events of the day, created the first subscription circulating library, helped establish the paper currency system in America, organized a young working-man’s group dedicated to self- and-civic improvement, and established the first fire company and the first fire insurance company.)
Read the following quote to the learners which identifies Franklin as a philanthropist:
"Ben Franklin believed that people volunteering together in a spirit of cooperation could accomplish great things. Driven by a strong sense of civic duty, he involved himself in his community and his nation. Always mindful of the "greater good," Franklin helped establish or improve institutions such as circulating libraries, public hospitals, mutual insurance companies, volunteer fire departments, agricultural colleges and intellectual societies. A role model still today, Ben Franklin helped define 'good citizenship'." http://www.pbs.org/benfranklin/l2_citizen.html
Ask the learners to explain what was meant when it was said that Franklin "helped define good citizenship."
- Put the letters "NGO" on the chalkboard or overhead. Ask the learners to decipher the acronym by guessing what the letters represent. Explain that an NGO is a non-governmental organization. This term is used by non-American countries to define the nonprofit sector. Nonprofit organizations are not-for-profit organizations that are not associated with any government, government agency or for-profit business. Have the learners name NGOs. (International Red Cross, Greenpeace International, National Coalition for the Homeless, Save the Children) Check Bibliographical References for others.
- To understand the work of a non-governmental organization, share information on Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) (Attachment One). Discuss why this organization chooses to do its work as a non-governmental, non-profit organization. Ask, "Why is it important that MSF speaks out to the world on what is happening in the places they work?" "What core democratic values are being strengthened through the work of MSF?"
- Ask the learners to go to http://www.msf.org/msfinternational/countries/and have each learner select one country of the world that receives humanitarian assistance from MSF. They should complete
Assessment:
In an article in their journals, learners should reflect on the idea of philanthropy and how "giving" was shown in the class project in support of an NGO. The article should reflect on the work of non-governmental organizations and explain why governments cannot effectively provide all the services given by NGOs.
Extension:
Have learners research on the Internet at home or library one organization that they would consider joining or helping to solve a community problem. The problem does not have to be the one identified by their group, but a new challenge where the philanthropy skills they learned and practiced could be used again to help the common good.
Let the learners determine if there is a role they can play in providing support to an NGO. By whatever method learners prefer, let them choose an organization to support, if they favor becoming active in support of an NGO. Develop a plan to raise funds for the organization. Develop a timeline and assign roles for completion of the tasks. Carry out the plan to implement the project. Contribute the funds to the assigned NGO. Evaluate the success of the project and the value of the support given to the NGO. What was learned and what adjustments need to be made next time?
Bibliographical References:
- Doctors Without Borders. http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org.
- Medecins Sans Frontieres. http://www.msf.org/
- North American NGOs.
http://billie.lib.duke.edu/pubdocs/ngo/namerica.asp
Lesson Developed and Piloted by:
Pete EmmersonCatholic Diocese of Grand Rapids
Blessed Sacrament School
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Handouts:
Handout 1Print Handout 1
Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders)
The MSF is an independent emergency humanitarian medical aid agency committed to two objectives: providing medical aid wherever needed, regardless of race, religion, politics or sex and raising awareness of the plight of the people it helps.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) provides emergency medical assistance to populations in danger in more than 80 countries. In countries where health structures are insufficient or even non-existent, MSF collaborates with authorities such as the Ministry of Health to provide assistance. MSF works in rehabilitation of hospitals and dispensaries, vaccination programs and water and sanitation projects. MSF also works in remote health care centers, slum areas and provides training of local personnel. All this is done with the objective of rebuilding health structures to acceptable levels.
Raising Awareness
In carrying out humanitarian assistance, MSF seeks also to raise awareness of crisis situations; MSF acts as a witness and will speak out, either in private or in public about the plight of populations in danger for whom MSF works. In doing so, MSF sets out to alleviate human suffering, to protect life and health and to restore and ensure respect for the human beings and their fundamental human rights.
Only a small percentage of the populations that find themselves in a situation of danger gain the attention of the media. MSF teams travel to places that many people have never heard of, to assist those who have fallen victim to natural or man-made disasters. MSF volunteers have a story to tell when they return from their missions, and they use their experiences to speak of what they have seen. For MSF, raising awareness for these populations and the situations they are in is an important task. Whenever possible, MSF volunteers give interviews and make presentations. MSF offices worldwide facilitate the organization of gatherings, for individuals and groups who want to speak in their home communities. MSF also mounts exhibitions and, from time to time, releases publications, with the aim of raising awareness.
It is part of MSF’s work to address any violations of basic human rights encountered by field teams, violations perpetrated or sustained by political actors. It does so by confronting the responsible actors themselves, by putting pressure on them through mobilization of the international community and by issuing information publicly. In order to prevent compromise or manipulation of MSF’s relief activities, MSF maintains neutrality and independence from individual governments. The organization also tries to ensure that the majority of funds raised for its work comes directly from contributions from the general public. In this way, MSF guarantees equal access to its humanitarian assistance.
MSF has been setting up emergency medical aid missions around the world since 1971. In 1999 it received the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway and in 2004 it received the King Hussein Humanitarian Leadership Prize in Amman, Jordan.
Private donations enable MSF to deliver independent emergency assistance to people in nearly 80 countries.
But what support specifically does a contribution provide? The answers may be surprising; even a small contribution allows Doctors Without Borders volunteers to save lives around the world!
|
Donation |
What It Can Provide: |
|
$35 |
Two high-energy meals a day to 200 children |
|
$50 |
Vaccinations for 50 people against meningitis, measles, polio or other deadly epidemics |
|
$70 |
Two basic suture kits to repair minor shrapnel wounds |
|
$100 |
Infection-fighting antibiotics to treat nearly 40 wounded children |
|
$250 |
A sterilization kit for syringes and needles used in mobile vaccination campaigns |
|
$500 |
A medical kit containing basic drugs, supplies, equipment and dressings to treat 1,500 patients for three months |
|
$1000 |
Emergency medical supplies to aid 5,000 disaster victims for an entire month |
|
$5500 |
An emergency health kit to care for 10,000 displaced people for three months |
Source: Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org
Handout 2Print Handout 2
Reporter's Account
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Who:
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What:
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When:
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Why:
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Other Interesting Information:
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Source of Information:
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Unit Contents:
Overview:Stitch in Time for the Common Good (A) Summary
Lessons:
- 1.
- Active Citizenship through the Spectacles of Benjamin Franklin
- 2.
- The Not-So-Trivial Pursuit of the Common Good
- 3.
- The Final Word
- 4.
- Lending a Helping Hand
All rights reserved. Permission is granted to freely use this information for nonprofit (noncommercial), educational purposes only. Copyright must be acknowledged on all copies.