Our Africa Teaching Resources

Surviving on the streets of Dakar, Senegal

You are a child living on the streets of Dakar.  What might your life be like?  Describe a normal day.

Handout

Link to 'Surviving on the streets of Dakar, Senegal' pdf

How this fits

This scenario requires pupils to imagine they live a very different life begging on the streets of Dakar.

Curriculum links

Geography:

1.5a Understanding how sequences of events and activities in the physical and human worlds lead to a change in places, landscapes and societies.

1.7a Appreciating the differences and similarities between people, places, environments and cultures to inform their understanding of societies and economies.

2.1a Ask geographical questions, thinking critically, constructively and creatively.

Citizenship: 

3g The needs of the local community and how these are met through public services and the voluntary sector.

3h How economic decisions are made, including where public money comes from and who decides how it is spent. 

Where to go

Beggars; Tourism & Communications.

What to watch

Welcome to Senegal! (video); Griot (video).

Follow-up questions

  1. Why do you think there are so many young street beggars in Senegal?
  2. What might be done to help the children living on the streets of Dakar?

Tags: development, poverty; population & settlement, employment, migration, population density & distribution; population growth, urbanisation

About scenarios:

Scenarios are teaching resources designed for use in the classroom or as homework. They are linked to the National Curriculum and content on the Our Africa website. See about scenarios for more information on the topics used and their position in the curriculum.