Problem and Solution Trees!

Problem and Solution Trees! Objectives: Learn to use Problem and Solution trees to identify and address community issues Become active global citizens and change-makers in our own community!

Problem and Solution Trees! Problem and Solution Trees are similar to mind maps. These tools are used by community organizations to understand community problems, and develop solutions. We will use Problem and Solution Trees to become active global citizens, planning actions to make change!

Why is it called a ‘Problem Tree’? From Tools for Development: http://www.tools4dev.org/resources/how-to-design-a-new-program/

Who is Wangari Mathaai? Wangari Maathai was the founder of the Green Belt Movement and the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Wangari Muta Maathai was born in Nyeri, a rural area of Kenya (Africa), in 1940. She was an environmental activist who won many international awards. Unfortunately, Professor Maathai died on 25 September 2011 at the age of 71 after a battle with cancer. We will use the story of Wangari Mathaai as a guide. After reading the story, we will analyse the problem using Problem and Solution trees. This will serve as inspiration for our own project planning. http://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai/biography

Let’s Read! Wangari’s Trees of Peace Model the Method: Let’s Read! Wangari’s Trees of Peace By Jeanette Winter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK1NndEf6f0

Effect Problem Causes What negative effects did this problem have? - No firewood close to home - Harmed the environment Problem What was the main problem that Wangari Maathi saw in her community? -Deforestation What were the ‘root causes’ of this problem? Causes -Women cutting down trees No source of heating -Developers constructing buildings

Effect Impact Problem Outcome Cause Output -Harmed the environment -No firewood close to home -Improve the environment -Firewood close to home Problem Outcome The community has no tress The community has trees! Cause Output Women stop developers from cutting trees -Women cut down trees Women trained to plant trees -Developers cut down trees

Making Wangari’s project statement Output Outcome Impact If…. Then… So that… Women are trained to plant trees The community will have trees The environment will be improved

How did she know her project was successful? Evaluating Wangari’s Success If Wangari trains women to plant trees…. the community will have trees…. and the environment will be improved! How did she know her project was successful? Find evidence! She counted the # of women trained: ‘Army of women’ all over Africa plant trees She counted the # of trees planted: 30 Million trees where there were none! She evaluated the health of the soil The land is no longer barren. Sweet potatoes, sugar cane and maize grow again

Now you can plant your own tree of peace by solving a problem in your own community!

Effect Problem Causes What negative effects does this problem have? What problem do you see in your community? Causes What are the ‘root causes’ of this problem? Give students copies of the handout ‘Problem Tree Brainstorming Handout’ or allow group work using flipchart paper and post-it notes. How can I solve this problem? Knowing how much time, money, or other constraints you may have, which ‘root cause’ of the problem can you address? Circle it! Now make the solution tree!

Impact Outcome Output What long term impact will this project have? What overall outcome, or result, will your project achieve? Output What main output, or activity, will you do to achieve your project outcome? Give students copies of the ‘Problem Tree to Solution Tree Handout’, to record their final Cause-Problem-Effect, and convert to their Output-Outcome-Impact How will I know I have achieved my goal? After making your project statement, it is important to plan how you will measure your project’s success.

Making a project statement Output Outcome Impact If…. Then… So that… Students complete their project statements

Evaluating Your Success How will you know your solution successfully made an impact? What will you measure, or what evidence can you look for? Output Outcome Impact Students plan at least one way they will evaluation their success, starting with how they will measure if their OUTCOME was successful. If they have time, they may brainstorm ways to measure the success of their outputs and impact. I will measure... I will measure… I will measure…

I will be a Hummingbird Dirt! The Movie By Wangari Maathi http://www.dirtthemovie.org/videos/

Self-Evaluation Managing Information: Critical Thinking How have you applied the following competencies in your own work? Managing Information: Critical Thinking Problem Solving: Communication Personal Growth and Well-being: Creativity and Innovation: Collaboration: Cultural and Global Citizenship: