Blackpool youngsters learn poverty is no game

from the Blackpool Gazette

By Lisa Ettridge

IT may look as though Beacon Hill has gone wild – but in fact these furry friends have been teaching pupils about world poverty.

The Bispham school was chosen to host the national launch of a new online game which aims to tests the international knowledge of students.

To mark the launch, International Development Minister Gillian Merron paid a flying visit to see the game in action and to speak of her recent experiences in Malawi and Zambia.

The interactive quiz game, called Race Against Global Poverty, is aimed towards young people between 11 and 16 and has been developed by the Department For International Development as a way to make learning about the world more fun.

Beacon Hill was chosen as the launch school for their ongoing work on Fairtrade, the movement promoting a fair business deal in the developing world.

Mrs Merron said: "I'm really delighted to be in Blackpool to mark the national launch of this game.

"It will be a fantastic tool for teachers to be able to teach youngsters about poverty and why it matters.

"The children seem to have really enjoyed trying it out, there is a real enthusiasm to find out about life in other parts of the world.

"I know the school already runs a Fairtrade shop and has links with a school in Malawi so it was the perfect choice."

The horse and the elephant characters also delighted youngsters by appearing as surprise guests during the launch.

"Both animals feature in the game as vital to trade in developing countries.