What to do
Tell the group to make sure they can see you and you can see them (a circle is best). Explain that to answer the below, their left hand is “needs” and right hand is “wants”. When you call out a need or want, the group should put up the relevant hand they think best represents whether the thing is something they need or want.
Keep a score of the decisions they make, but do not tell them which is which until the end of the game.
Below are some examples of needs and wants, you can come up with more that may be more relevant to your group if you have time:
- A smartphone
- Fashionable clothes
- Your own bedroom
- A laptop
- Protection from abuse and neglect
- A bicycle
- Clean air
- Protection from discrimination
- Education
- The opportunity to express your opinions and to be listened to
- Fast food
- Nutritious food
- Holiday trips
- The opportunity to practice your own culture, language and religion
- Medical care when you need it
- Money to spend as you like
- Playgrounds and recreation centres
- Decent shelter
- TV
- Clean water
There are 11 rights in this list, they are – • Protection from abuse and neglect • Clean air • Protection from discrimination • Education • The opportunity to express your opinions and to be listened to • Nutritious food • The opportunity to practice your own culture, language and religion • Medical care when you need it • Playgrounds and recreation centres • Decent shelter • Clean water. Find a full list of the UN Convention for The Rights of the Child here.
Reveal the answers to the group of which was a want and which a need. Explain that the UN convention for the Rights of the Child sets out the rights that every child is entitled to. Ask the group
- What is the difference between a want and a need?
- Are there rights that they have at group sessions and Camps?
- Where are these rights respected?
- Where are these rights not respected or met?