Ask the class what a famine is and what are the causes and effects of a famine. Research recent famines using the charity sites and news stories below. Ask the pupils how they would feel if this happened to them?
- BBC News: Famine in Africa [article]
- Oxfam - Emergencies [external link: article]
- Trocaire Primary school resources [external link: article]
- Save the Children- Research and Resources [external link: article]
Tell the pupils that 150 years ago Ireland had a famine. It is estimated that one million people died during the Famine and another two million emigrated abroad during eleven years during and after the famine. Ask the pupils to research the cause and effects of the Famine in Northern Ireland using the TANDY project: Famine & Emigration. Ask the pupils to research the effects of the famine in their local area, is there any evidence remaining?
- BBC TANDY Famine Factsheet [PDF] contains useful facts and information on key aspects of the Famine.
- BBC TANDY project: Famine & Emigration [article & Flash activities]
