MVP Curriculum

This module sets the stage for the classroom MVP program. It begins with setting up rules of engagement that will support the class to navigate ‘hot topics’. Students will learn about the continent of Africa, the Millennium Development Goals, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Throughout the lessons, multimedia such as digital maps, films and photography will support student understanding of these complex concepts.

This module introduces the Bonsaaso village cluster in Ghana. Students will learn about the different focuses of the Millennium Villages Project in Bonsaaso, including telemedicine and farm cooperatives. They will investigate and weigh evidence of differing perspectives about farming and mining. They will deepen their understanding of these issues by taking part in a Town Hall Meeting and role playing different opinions about mining and farming, and they will attempt to come to a consensus. Throughout the lessons, multimedia such as digital maps, films, and photography will support student understanding of these complex concepts.

This module introduces the Koraro village cluster in Ghana. Students will learn about the challenges that the people of Koraro have faced with access to clean water and proper sanitation and the interventions the Millennium Villages Project took to resolve these issues. Students will spend time reflecting on the Photographer’s Statement video from Ron Haviv and the power of photography to inform people and inspire change.

This module introduces the Mayange village cluster in Rwanda. Students will learn about the different focuses of the Millennium Villages Project in Mayange, and about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Students will investigate women's empowerment and community organizing in Mayange and in their own communities. Throughout the lessons, multimedia such as digital maps, films and photography will support student understanding of these complex concepts.

This module introduces the Potou village cluster in Senegal. Students will learn about the Millennium Villages Project focus on food scarcity and agriculture development in Potou. They will then learn about food insecurity issues in the United States, possibly even in their own communities. Throughout the lessons, multimedia such as digital maps, films, and photography will support student understanding of these complex concepts.

From the preceding modules students have gained a foundational understanding of human rights and sustainable development. They will now be able to synthesize what they have learned to personally address human rights issues they care about on a local, national, or international level. This module provides lessons that prepare students to step into the role of an “activist” and “upstander” and design a service learning project for their community. The lessons begin by supporting students as they identify a human rights issue they would like to address, and then helping them to design a strategy, supported by tactics and action steps, to implement a service learning project.