Lesson Type: Service Learning

Title: GWF School Store

By: Ghana Wisdom Foundation

E-mail: info@ghanawisdom.org

Subject(s): Business, Cultural Studies

Grade Level: 5 - 12

Lesson Description:

This service learning opportunity incorporates multicultural education, reciprocal learning, and business operations as well. It is a long term project, taken on by an entire classroom to help raise money for Ghanaian schools that are in much need of financial support. In short, the participating classroom becomes a branch of the GWF School Store.

Here is how it works:

First, The participating classroom must raise approximately $50 to be sent to the cooperating Ghanaian school. GWF can provide "loans" if necessary. All Ghanaian Schools are also GWF Partner Schools and so will have volunteers and other dedicated individuals willing to coordinate the program on their end. Along with the $50 cash advancement, the class must also provide a "business order" based on cost and demand and research they have done about Ghanaian culture and the arts that express it. The Ghanaian students will then make the needed purchases with assistance from a coordinating teacher/volunteer at the Aburi Craft Village. Costs and item descriptions will be recorded onto a business form. This form is then shipped along with the merchandise to the classroom overseas. Shipping costs will be sent as well.

Upon arrival of the merchandise, students will then work on creating a business plan including finding a target audience, creating an advertising strategy, and ultimately forming a small scale business. On-line businesses and other such venues can be explored by teacher discretion. Item costs can be created using a number of strategies and business practices. Records of all sales should be kept continuously as a teaching method and to develop good business habits among the students. The coordinating teacher can determine what type of business terms and practices he or she wishes to stress. Once items are sold for profit, the profits are then shipped back to Ghana for the cycle to begin again.

Throughout the process of shipping and receiving, teachers can stress such things as business letters, pen pal opportunities, and multicultural learning at their own discretion.

GWF staff in America and GWF volunteers/coordinators in Ghana will be on hand to help develop this program to meet your specific needs and educational goals and to assist with any problems or concerns.

If you are an interested teacher and you would like to sign your class up for this unique learning experience please contact us at info@ghanawisdom.org