Mennonite
Central
Committee

Throwing Games

 

The project

In Mozambique most homes have no running water and women walk long distances for water. The Anglican Church, with MCC's help, is constructing wells near their churches. The church wants people to come to the church for water and also hear about the "living water" available from God. People will gather and talk at the well. People are too poor to help buy the concrete to build the well so MCC is helping with that. But each community will maintain the well. $7 provides a bag of cement for the platform around the well. $130 buys a concrete cylinder. $2,500 pays for a complete well.

 

The Game

Construct a round "well" with chicken mesh wire about 32" high with a diameter of approximately 45". Cover the outside with paper to look like stones. Secure a dowel rod across the diameter of the well. Attach a galvanized metal bucket to the dowel rod. Prop cement bags around the well (the real thing or pretend cement bags). Fill good quality small blue balloons with flour to resemble drops of water. Post a sign on the well, "Help build a well in Mozambique". The children will attempt to throw their "drops" into the bucket.

Wait until several children have gathered at the well. Invite the children to sit and listen as an adult leads them in thinking about the importance of water; good water keeps us healthy, bad water makes us sick. Children will be invited to try to lift a bucket full of water. Comment on the weight. How difficult it must be to carry all the water you need for drinking, washing, cooking, bathing. Explain the project in Mozambique. Where is Mozambique? (Use Africa map from Africa Adventure Kit available from MCC)

Children are given 5 drops of water which they attempt to throw into the bucket. If they succeed they get to take one real dollar (from a pile that has been given by a generous donor) and place it in the bucket over the well. If they only succeed in throwing the water drops in the well (and not the bucket) they get an MCC bookmark.

 

Resources

Africa Adventure Resource Box
Contains maps and photos of Africa.