Bedtime All-Star Gifts Monsters

In this series of activities, participants reflect on the threats to children from preventable illnesses in developing countries, learn more about malaria, and explore simple ways to help prevent children from dying as a result of this disease.
INTENDED FOR GRADES 1-3 TIME REQUIRED: 60 MINUTES

MATERIALS NEEDED
A roll of caution tape (If this is not available, you can use colored masking tape.) Two blindfolds Blank sheets of paper, one for each participant Scissors, one pair for each participant Pens or pencils, one for each participant Copies of the Monster Images handout, one for each participant

ACTIVITY STEPS
1
Give each participant a blank sheet of paper, a pen or pencil, and a copy of Resource 1, Monster Images. Ask participants to draw three big circles on the blank sheet of paper. Ask them to label one circle more dangerous for children, the second circle less dangerous for children, and the third circle most dangerous for children. Invite participants to think about what the resource images might represent. Then ask them to decide which images should go in which circle. Ask them to explain their choices. Now have them repeat the process, thinking not about children in general but just about children in the U.S. Have them write their choices in the appropriate circles. Finally, have participants turn their paper over and create three new circles, this time thinking about children living in developing countries.

Discuss how the most dangerous things might differ depending on where children live. Explain that: One of the most dangerous of all the monsters pictured is the smallest. Thats not to say that going off with strangers or walking in front of a fast car arent extremely dangerous too. But the consequence of getting a little bite from a mosquito can be huge. In some countries (not the U.S.), mosquito bites can cause a sickness called malaria. If a child in a poor country cant get the medicines needed to get well, then malaria can be deadly. In fact, in Africa, another child dies of malaria every 60 seconds.1 Malaria doesnt have to kill children, though. It doesnt kill children in the United States! Thats because the U.S. got rid of malaria over a halfcentury ago. But malaria-carrying mosquitoes still live in many other countries. Often people in these countries are too poor to buy the mosquito nets that could protect them from being bitten. They are also too poor to get the right treatment if they do get malaria.
1

World Malaria Report 2011, World Health Organization, page ix.

2012 World Vision, Inc.

Bedtime All-Star Gifts Monsters

ACTIVITY STEPS
6 (continued)
should shout Danger! and the participant should stop walking. Before continuing, he or she must provide you with an example of a danger to children, in a context of your choicefor example, the home (leaving kitchen knives out, leaving the oven on, leaving cleaning chemicals within reach of children), on vacation (getting lost), or at the park (talking to strangers, falling off play equipment, falling in the water).

Explain that more than 1,500 2 children die every day because of malaria. Malaria can be prevented in simple ways. Specially treated bed nets can protect people when they sleep; insecticide sprays help kill mosquitoes in the home; and anti-malarial medicines can prevent people from contracting the disease or cure them if they contract it. Read the following story:

Repeat the exercise with a few more volunteers. Then share the following key points: For one of every three children in developing countries, surviving childhood is like trying to find a safe route down a dangerous path. Poverty puts many obstacles to survival in these childrens path. Those obstacles are things like poor nutrition, dirty water, and unsafe housing, all of which can cause poor health. Poor health can stop these children from getting an education, which is the thing most likely to improve their chances of a better future. Most basically, poor health keeps children from living a full and happy life. But remember, during the game there were people to help the players along their path! And there are things that each of us can do to help children around the world who are most vulnerable to illness.

Hello. My name is Evelyn. I am 12 years old. I live in Zambia. Everybody that knows me says that I am a big chatterbox. Sometimes I talk so much that my tongue gets tired. Sometimes my friends fall asleep listening to me! But only a few weeks ago I was in so much pain that I couldnt eat and I couldnt sleep. Worst of all, I couldnt talk. No one knew what was wrong! When I first became ill my mom thought I just had a cold. Then one day, the whites of my eyes turned a yellowish color and my mom realized I had malaria. She asked Selina to come and help me. Selina lives in the village and has been trained by World Vision to help children with malaria. She took me to the clinic to get medicine. She saved my life! World Vision gave bed nets to everyone in my family. Now we no longer have to worry about being bitten by mosquitoes when we are asleep.

10

Start a large-group discussion on ways that participants can help bring about change for those who are susceptible to malaria. Then conclude the session by inviting them to join you in prayer. Pray for all children and families who are affected by malaria, and pray for an end to malaria.

Ask the participants to help you move tables and chairs out of the way. Then mark out a zig-zag path around the room using two lines of caution tape, making the path wide enough for the participants to walk between the two lines. Ask for two volunteers. Blindfold them and instruct them to walk along the path without stepping on the caution tape. Choose other volunteers to guide them using verbal instructions only. Every time a blindfolded participant steps on the caution tape, the group

World Malaria Report 2011, World Health Organization, page ix.

(Adapted from the resource titled Bedtime Monsters, produced by World Vision United Kingdom. Used with permission.)

World Vision believes no child should die from preventable and treatable causes that can be stopped using proven measures. Child Health Now is a global movement to ensure children can grow up healthy, with access to basic health services, adequate nutrition, and disease prevention. Learn more about the campaign at www.worldvisionresources.com.

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About World Vision

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