Search for Resources
Description
This book is based on the life story of Kwabena Darko who rose from poverty to form the Sinapi Abu (Mustard Seed) Trust, which is part of the global nonprofit organization Opportunity International.
Kojo has to leave school to help his mother collect wood to sell at the market. This meagre income is all they have, until his mother receives a small loan through a micro finance organization in their village. She is able to buy a cart to carry more wood to sell. Kojo uses the remaining money to buy a hen that provides eggs that Kojo sells at the market. As Kojo earns more money his flock grows and soon he is able to return to school. Kojo graduates college and builds a large poultry farm which supports his family and his mother. As the farm prospers, the village thrives and eventually Kojo's farm becomes the largest in West Africa. One small loan not only made a huge difference in Kojo's life, but also positively affected the lives of many others in his community.
General Assessment
Recommendation of how and where to use it
This book teaches students about the value of micro finance programs in poverty reduction. An amount as small as $10 can help several families through this type of initiative. One of the valuable aspects of this book is the associated website (www.onehen.org) that provides additional free resources such as videos, stories of micro entrepreneurs and free lesson plans. One lesson plan focuses on math problems based on Kojo's hens and eggs. Another activity has children writing letters to Kojo. The website would also be helpful in a social studies lesson that has students exploring and comparing life in Canada to life in Africa. Classes could also investigate the option of setting up their own micro credit agency to raise funds for an organization such as Opportunity International.
Relevant Curriculum Units
The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.
- Step 1Select a province
- Alberta
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society.
- Time and Place: Exploring the dynamic relationships between people, place, and time supports understanding of perspectives and events to make meaning of the worl
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society.
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Citizenship: Understanding local, national, and global issues empowers individual and collective action toward an inclusive society
- British Columbia
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
- Manitoba
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Communities of the World: Communities of the World
- New Brunswick
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Explore Your World: Diversity and Social Responsibility
- Newfoundland & Labrador
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploring Our World
- Northwest Territories
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 3
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Communities of the World: Communities of the World
- Nunavut
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Global Connections
- Communities in Canada
- Prince Edward Island
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 4
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Exploring Our World
- Yukon Territory
- Step 2Select a grade level
- Grade 2
- Step 3Select a subject
- Social Studies
- Step 4Relevant matches
- Regional and Global Communities: Individuals have rights and responsibilities as global citizens
Themes Addressed
Economics (1)
- Poverty Reduction
Human Rights (1)
- Poverty
