An exciting new global project is giving school children the opportunity to engage with the humanitarian crisis in Darfur as never before. In the project pupils can learn about the issues surrounding the region as part of their studies in Geography, Citizenship, English, Drama and ICT.

Over 30 schools from 12 different countries are already involved in the project, which is run by London-based charity Gemin-i.org in conjunction with international aid agency Médecins sans Frontières (MSF). It is open to all secondary schools and it is hoped that many more will take the opportunity to use this original project in their classrooms.

The lessons explore the situation in Darfur and provide an insight into the 'impossible choices' faced every day by aid workers and Darfurians. Pupils will complete several tasks including acting out a role-play, watching video testimonies from a camp of internally displaced people, gathering evidence online from an MSF representative, creating a documentary and discussing their views with pupils from the other schools across the world who are also taking part in the project.

Jean-Michel Piedagnel, Director of MSF in the UK said

“Since the conflict in Darfur started in 2003, it's estimated that more than 400,000 people have been killed, and more than two million people have fled from their homes and villages. Figures alone are not adequate to describe the scale of suffering that has taken place, but give some idea of the scale of the humanitarian crisis taking place in Darfur today. MSF was excited when Gemin-i.org approached us to work with them on this project, because we believe that a key aspect of our work is to bear witness or speak out on behalf of those who we help. The free resources provide students all over the world with an opportunity to learn about the complex nature of the situation, and to discover, for themselves, some of the impossible choices faced by Darfurians and those working to help them.”

The project is facilitated through Gemin-i.org's new global online learning community. Called Rafi.ki, the community aims to engage pupils in global issues using interactive technologies such as video conferencing, instant messaging and forums, which allow pupils to collaborate with others all over the world. Pupils can discuss their views within the site and post videos of their interviews and documentaries. All resources including lesson plans, worksheets, and video clips are available to download.

Henry Warren, CEO of Gemin-i.org said

“It is essential that schools use the technology that rules the social lives of pupils to excite them about learning.”

One of the schools involved, The King John School, Essex, has taken this chance to expand the horizons of their students.

As, Hina Robinson, Head of Geography and Internationalism at King John, said

“The opportunity to be part of a huge international online learning community like Rafi.ki was too good to miss. I want to turn our pupils into global citizens and open their minds to situations like the current conflict in Darfur. They will have exposure to the important work of charities and the life changing decisions that have to be made. ”

Any secondary school can sign up online at www.rafi.ki and there also are opportunities to join projects covering other subject areas. Examples include, 'Waste Not, Want Not' which looks at recycling, 'Me, Myself and You,' centred on identity issues and 'Perspectives on Africa'.

ENDS