Peace Corps

• Subject(s): Social Studies & Geography, Science
• Region / Country: Africa / Republic of Cape Verde
• Grade Level(s): 3–5, 6–8, 9–12, K–2
• Related Publication: Slide show | Fog's Bounty: Harvesting Water from Fog
• Duration: 1-2 class periods

Overview

The Republic of Cape Verde is an island nation located about 300 miles off the western coast of Africa. Cape Verde, where the people speak Portuguese and Creole, has a long and rich history. While the people of Cape Verde enjoy warm temperatures and a beautiful setting, they must also deal with some challenges related to their climate and location. The main challenge is the lack of rainfall and limited fresh water. Students will have the opportunity to explore this country and gain an appreciation for the people who live there.

Background Information

In 1988, Peace Corps sent its first group of Volunteers to Cape Verde. Since then there have been over 300 Volunteers who have served in Cape Verde. Peace Corps Volunteers have served on all nine inhabited islands; volunteers serve on all islands except Brava and Boavista.

Materials:

• Country photos provided on the Water in Africa website

Objectives

Students will

• Become familiar with the Republic of Cape Verde, its location, challenges, and people.
• Explore Cape Verde through a photo slideshow.
• Discuss possible solutions to the lack of fresh water.

Vocabulary

• Africa: one of the largest continents on Earth. It has 53 countries and is known for many things including large deserts and many animals.
• Island Nation: A country of one or more islands.
• Cape Verde: The Republic of Cape Verde is an island nation located about 300 miles off the western coast of Africa.

Featured Reading(s)

• Fog's Bounty: Harvesting Water From Fog by Nathan Lee

Procedures

Introduce the topic of this lesson by having the students locate the country of Cape Verde off the western coast of Africa. Discuss with your students what they imagine the country to be like. What do they think it would it be like to live there? This should be done prior to viewing any photos; this will give the class a chance to see if their expectations are different than what they will find.
2. Have your class view the Cape Verde slideshow provided by Peace Corps Volunteer Nathan Lee. At each photo give the students an opportunity to comment on the photo.
3. Review some of the weather conditions that are typical to this country. Have the students research the annual amount of rainfall, etc.
4. Discuss possible ways in which those living in Cape Verde can solve the problem of a lack of fresh water.

Extensions

• Explore other ways that Peace Corps Volunteers have used to get fresh water in Cape Verde—the use of solar stills.
• Have the students in your class start a correspondence with a Peace Corps Volunteer in Africa through Coverdell World Wise Schools Correspondence Match program.
• Have the students research some of the interesting facts of Cape Verde such as the flag, political history, capital, Prime Minster's name, and anthem.
• Have the students create a map of the island nation of Cape Verde.

Framework and Standards

Enduring Understandings

• Fresh water is a limited resource and not equally accessible in all parts of the world.
• We all need fresh water to survive.

Essential Questions

• What can those living in Cape Verde do to increase the amount of fresh water?
• Where do we find fresh water?

Standards

• Social Studies
• Thematic Strand 1 – Culture
• Thematic Strand 3 - People, places, and environments
• Thematic Strand 7 - Production, distribution, and consumption
• Science Standards
• Standard 5 - Earth and space science
• Standard 7 - Science in personal and social perspectives
• Geography Standards
• Essential Element I. The world in spatial terms
• Essential Element II. Places and regions
• Essential Element IV. Human systems
• Essential Element V. Environment and society
• Essential Element VI. The uses of geography