1. Problem and Solution Trees!

2. 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!

3. 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!

4. Why is it called a ‘Problem Tree’?
From Tools for Development:

5. 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 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.

6. Let’s Read! Wangari’s Trees of Peace
Model the Method:
Let’s Read! Wangari’s Trees of Peace
By Jeanette Winter

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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!

13. 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.

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

15. 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…

16. I will be a Hummingbird Dirt! The Movie By Wangari Maathi

17. 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: