The Dalai Lama once said that if all 8-year olds were taught to meditate, we would eliminate violence around the globe in one generation. Perhaps the same holds true for conscious consumption - if we teach kids the value of material goods, and the people who create them, we could potentially erase inequality around the world in just a few years.
Our current study of countries in sub-Saharan Africa presented an important opportunity to learn about Fair Trade, about responsible consumption, and about the impact our everyday actions have on the world at large.
This week, students conducted an investigation into cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The DRC is world's largest producer of cobalt, a metal produced through a reductive smelting process, which is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries - the kind of batteries found in high-tech products like cell phones, other electronic devices and battery-powered vehicles, among other mass-market products. Aside from understanding some of the uses of cobalt in their own everyday products, students explored how cobalt is extracted from the earth. They were aghast at learning that there are no government regulations concerning cobalt mining in the DRC. Children as young as four are sent to work in cobalt mines for as many as 12-14 hours per day, under some of the most hazardous working conditions one could imagine. Due to their small size, they are often lowered into dangerous, small spaces in underground mines to extract the metal, and spend hours sifting through rock. They work in an environment where they are frequently mistreated and malnourished, and are exposed to toxins that are likely to cause skin conditions and deadly lung diseases - all for less than $1 per day.
As global citizens, we discussed the following questions: How are we responsible for the lives of others? What can we do to help those who don't have a voice? How can we become more responsible consumers? At the close of their investigation and our discussion, students were released with the following message:
Dear Students,
Continue to "be the good" in this world. Go out there and use your knowledge to make a difference.
Love,
Mrs. Valzania
Students promptly decided that creating powerful messages to raise awareness and change public attitudes and behavior toward the use of lithium batteries containing materials that were irresponsibly produced was a good first step. Student consensus: "What else can we do to stop this from happening?" "I really want to do more to help these kids." This is the result of feeling empowered - of becoming an active global citizen. Just "listen" to their voices:
Dear Mrs. Valzania & students - I always look forward to reading your blog posts and learning about the great things that are happening your classroom. I can tell you all will make a difference in the world!
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