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Walking for Water

How one boy stood up for gender equality

Elementary

Description

Each morning Victor and Linesi meet their friends at the Kachere tree and then follow very different paths.  One school day Victor learns about equality and he realizes that his sister, who spends her days collecting water for her family, also deserves an education.  Victor is determined to transform Linesi's world by helping her attend school, and as they work together to support each other and their family they deliver a powerful message about fairness and respect.  This touching story teaches students how poverty supports gender inequality in developing countries, while also reminding them that all children have the right to learn and choose their own pathway through life.

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General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This book supports Grade 2-5 Social Studies curriculum that explores human rights issues. Particular attention is given to gender inequality in education and how poverty and access to limited resources affect family decisions.  The story also provides an introduction to the culture and traditions of a Malawian Indigenous community with a supporting glossary of Chichewa words and background on the country's education and water availability.

Victor envisions how an accessible, clean water source could improve life in his village.  In many developing countries something as simple as building a well can bring opportunities for education, income and health to an impoverished community.  A class could learn valuable citizenship skills by creating and implementing a project to raise funds to bring fresh water to a community through an organization like World Vision Canada.

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        • Global Indigenous Peoples: Learning about indigenous peoples nurtures multicultural awareness and respect for diversity.
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Themes Addressed

Human Rights (3)

  • Education
  • Environmental Racism/Justice
  • Gender Equality

Water (2)

  • Water Quality
  • Water Use

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