Age group: Elfins/Pioneers

How long it will take: 30 minutes

What materials you will need: None

The aim of the activity: To explain the concept of the debt crisis

What to do:

Divide the group into small groups of 3 or 4. Ask each group to discuss the following questions:

• If your friend needs some money and you have some, would you lend it to them?
• How much would you be prepared to lend?
• How much would you expect them to pay you back?
• When would you expect them to pay you back?
• What if they couldn't pay you back?

Ask each group to improvise a situation where one child has lent another money and is asking for repayment.

At the end, ask the whole group what they would think if a friend lent them £1 and then demanded £10 back?

Explain how the world's poorest countries have been lent money by the rich countries and then been made to pay back much more. Ask the group what effect they think this has on the poor countries and the people who live in them?