Fortgens School Encourages Open Discussion About Poverty
Making poverty a topic of discussion. To that end, the Positive Minds Foundation developed an educational kit filled with books and materials. Today, students from the Fortgens School told Hans van der Elst of Alderman what they learned from it. The municipality of Voorschoten and the Rotary Club of Voorschoten-Leidschendam funded the educational kit.
The Fortgens School recently began offering lessons on poverty. To do so, teachers are using the “Kansrijk – Break the Cycle of Poverty” teaching kit. This kit was developed by the Positive Minds Foundation. The Fortgens School is the first elementary school in Voorschoten to make poverty a topic that can be discussed in the classroom in such an accessible way.
Supporting Families
Alderman Hans van der Elst met with the 7th-grade students at Fortgens School today, along with initiative organizer Rochelle Heerema. “Tackling child poverty is a top priority,” says the Alderman. “We’re trying to support families through various programs. It’s also important to start a conversation.”
It is precisely during that discussion that the educational kit—which includes a lesson plan, classroom activities, and thirty popular children’s books—comes in handy. The “ Alderman ” is proud of this unique kit: “Through engaging stories, students get a sense of what it means to be poor. This fosters empathy, understanding, and respect. Moreover, we can work together more effectively when the topic is open for discussion.”
Starting a Conversation
Hans Rasch of Rotary is also impressed by the educational kit. “Our members love to roll up their sleeves,” he explains. “One time we organize a food drive for the food bank; another time we plant tulip bulbs for the global End Polio Now campaign. It’s fantastic that this time we get to help spark a conversation about poverty.”
After being used by the Fortgens School, the educational kit will be returned to the library so that other schools in Voorschoten can use it as well. The goal is to make financial literacy a regular part of the curriculum for grades 7 and 8 in Voorschoten, in addition to the topic of poverty. In this way, the schools are also taking a preventive approach to combating poverty.