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Understanding Water Scarcity Awareness

Reflective paper of Global Perspectives igcse

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
13 views5 pages

Understanding Water Scarcity Awareness

Reflective paper of Global Perspectives igcse

Uploaded by

21090649
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Reflective paper

About project:
The reason we specifically chose this topic is because we live
in a country that does not experience or have water shortage.
We wanted people to understand its importance and know that
they should not under any circumstance take water for
granted.
Strength and limitations of the project outcome in
achieving the project aim:
Initially, our aim was showing the significance of water
through displaying the desalination process, but that was a
challenge. We were not able to go to a desalination plant as
we wanted to show the process after we personally witness it
ourselves while hoping to record some parts too. Our plans
were disrupted because of Covid protocols and we had to
change our direction in achieving our project aim.
Schools resuming and us being able to work on the project on
campus was the best part. I feel that the project would have
not been the same if school was online. We were able to
communicate more efficiently and share more ideas on
campus which helped us in our work processes for the
outcome.

Strengths and limitations as a team/member:


If I had to evaluate my performance as a member, I would say
that I always provide ideas and express my opinions on
different matters clearly and appropriately. Initially, it was
difficult to relax around everyone as I was finally meeting
them on campus, which made it difficult for me to say my
doubts early on, thus affecting my performance for some time.
As a team we did experience challenges with the completion
of the project. Team members not finishing their allotted work
on time slowed down the project. Planning and distributing
the work for each member would have made the process
smoother and less time-consuming. Nonetheless, working as a
team gave room for many improvements as we each have our
shortcomings and together we were able to cover up for each
other’s flaws.
I tried my best to contribute, with my calm nature that helped
keep the other members at ease. My research skills helped in
providing useful, reliable information to the project.
For improvements, I would like to work on my inhibitions to
communicate with others.
It was always very difficult for the team to communicate with
me after school hours, this hindered the work processes of the
team.
We could have presented the outcome better if we were more
organized. We could have allotted more time for the challenge
to take place in our school.
Our work process and raising awareness:
After finally deciding on the aim of our project, we started
researching and stumbled upon this impeccable charity
website1 . They provided information on the process of
creating borehole wells,hand pumps etc in communities of
Africa. The website talked about a water challenge, which
was an innovative way of getting donations for people
experiencing water shortages by getting funds from people
willing to cut down on their consumption of drinks and
replace it for water for two weeks and collecting that money
to donate it. We were amazed and in awe of this water
challenge. We presented to the school community a
presentation about water scarcity. We did the water challenge
with our school community and most of them joined, and we
were able to raise a good amount of money from them which
was honestly a surprise to see. It must mean that our project
helped people understand the issue of water scarcity around
the world and its severity, which made us immensely happy
since that is the aim of every global perspective student. Our
presentation also included two interviews from two different
people. The first person was someone from the water project
website. She was a donor engagement specialist Ms. Maggie
Evans and after deciding on a date and time, which was
slightly difficult due to contrasting time zones, we
interviewed her, and we benefited greatly in the process. The
other person was a citizen of Saudi Arabia who has been there
since more than 40 years ago when there were water-related
issues in the country. Our motive this time was to show that
even a country with no water shortage, once had water issues
so we should preserve water and know its importance. It
helped in showing the approach the country took to improve
the situation. Additionally, we created a questionnaire2 and
sent it to the school community. As part of cross
collaboration, we had also sent the survey to UK, Canada,
Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India to gain their perspectives on
the issue. The statistical results and interviews were presented
to school. Furthermore, we arranged a simple exhibition
which had a challenge that required the students to carry water
for some distance to replicate how females carry water for
long distances.
What I learnt:
After interviewing those two people, I benefited a lot and my
understanding of the water scarcity issue deepened. Learning
about the people not getting enough water for their basic
needs and the ones who use contaminated water was a shock
to me personally because honestly, I did not know a lot about
the issue before I did this project. It really helped me broaden
my horizons and know that I helped spread awareness about
such an important issue. It makes me glad to have taken this
subject, together with this topic, and seen how the people
around the world are living. The fact that people in other parts
of the world like Sierra Leone are suffering due to lack of
water that forces them to live with contaminated water with
the need to get water from long distances, while others in UK
did not have it as an issue at all was indeed shocking.
Knowing this made me appreciate my life and that I can drink
water any time made me thankful for everything. Overall, our
project’s aim was delivered and after all the obstacles that
were in our way, we were able to overcome them and
complete the project in time.
Wordcount:1000

References:
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2)[Link]
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The main objective of the water awareness project was to highlight the significance of water and raise awareness about water scarcity issues worldwide. The project aimed to show the importance of water by initially planning to display the desalination process, which was later changed due to Covid protocols. The methodology included engaging the school community in a water challenge to replace their drink consumption with water for two weeks and donate the savings. Presentations were conducted that included interviews with a donor engagement specialist from a water project and a Saudi Arabian citizen to understand historical and current water challenges. A questionnaire was created and circulated globally to gather perspectives on water scarcity. These activities culminated in a presentation to the school that included statistical analysis and a practical challenge mimicking the water-carrying distances faced by some communities .

Despite initial setbacks, the project successfully achieved its aim through adaptability and strategic redirection. Initially disrupted by the inability to visit a desalination plant due to Covid, the team pivoted to focus on awareness through engaging activities such as the water challenge and global survey distribution. Key factors contributing to success included effective in-person collaboration once school resumed, which improved communication and idea exchange. Furthermore, the use of diverse engagement strategies, such as interviews and practical challenges, effectively raised awareness and empathy within the community regarding water scarcity. The project's comprehensive approach and the team's ability to adapt to changing circumstances were pivotal in overcoming challenges and meeting their objectives .

The project team faced several limitations related to team dynamics and organization, such as difficulties in timely completion of tasks and poor communication after school hours. These issues led to delays and impacted the overall organization of the project. To address these challenges, the team realized the importance of distributed planning and ensured that work allocation was more structured to enhance efficiency. Moreover, working together on-campus as schools resumed facilitated better communication and collaboration, helping to address earlier organizational deficiencies. The realization of the need for improvement in communication and task management was a critical learning outcome, contributing to more effective teamwork towards the project completion .

Understanding the historical perspectives on water issues in Saudi Arabia contributed significantly to the project's educational impact by offering a real-world case study of how a country dealt with water scarcity. The insights gained from interviewing a resident who witnessed these changes highlighted the long-term strategies and improvements implemented to address water-related issues. This historical context helped students appreciate the complexities of water management and the importance of proactive conservation efforts. Such perspectives underscored the need for ongoing awareness and education in water conservation, reinforcing the project's mission to raise awareness about global water scarcity and the value of learning from past experiences .

Participants in the project gained profound insights into global water scarcity through their research and interactions. They realized the severe conditions faced by communities in countries like Sierra Leone, where people live with contaminated water and must travel long distances to obtain it. This understanding contrasted sharply with their own situation in countries where water is readily accessible, prompting a sense of gratitude and responsibility. The project deepened the participants' awareness of water issues, making them more appreciative of their circumstances and motivated to advocate for water conservation and awareness. These insights fostered a broader understanding of global disparities in resource access, reinforcing the importance of their awareness-raising efforts .

The project team effectively engaged the school community through several strategies, including organizing a water challenge that encouraged participants to replace their drink consumption with water and donate the savings. This hands-on approach not only raised funds but also increased personal engagement with the water scarcity issue. Presentations that included interviews with experts and historical perspectives offered a multi-faceted understanding, fostering deeper insights into the issue's global significance. Distributing a questionnaire and sharing the results with the community provided data-driven insights into awareness levels and attitudes. Moreover, the exhibition with a practical water-carrying challenge effectively illustrated the physical hardships faced by communities with limited water access, making the abstract concept of water scarcity more tangible and relatable for participants .

The pandemic significantly impacted the project's execution by preventing team members from visiting a desalination plant, which was a critical initial objective of the project. This limitation forced a change in direction, moving away from showcasing the desalination process to focusing more on educational and awareness activities. On the positive side, once schools resumed physical operations, team members could collaborate more effectively in person, which improved communication and idea sharing. However, challenges persisted due to team members not completing work on time, exacerbated by difficulties in communicating after school hours. These issues inhibited the project's organization and presentation quality, although they eventually managed to overcome these obstacles to complete the project successfully .

Cross-country collaboration played a crucial role in enriching the project's scope by providing diverse perspectives on water scarcity issues. By sending questionnaires to participants in the UK, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and India, the project team gathered global responses, enhancing their data's depth and relevance. This collaboration highlighted the varied experiences and perceptions of water scarcity, contributing to a well-rounded understanding of the issue. However, the cross-country approach posed challenges, primarily due to time zone differences which complicated scheduling efforts such as interviews. Despite these logistical hurdles, the collaborative aspect brought valuable insights and a broader narrative around global water issues .

The project substantially contributed to raising awareness about the interconnected nature of global resource challenges by engaging in activities that highlighted water scarcity as a universal issue. By involving participants in a global water challenge and sharing insights from different countries, the project underscored the fact that water scarcity, while more acute in some regions, is part of a broader context of global resource management. This interconnected perspective was further emphasized through interviews and presentations which illustrated differences and similarities in water issues across various geopolitical landscapes. Through these initiatives, the project effectively illustrated how local actions, like reduced drink consumption and awareness efforts, can have global ramifications in addressing resource challenges .

Reflections on personal and team contributions significantly enhanced the project experience by fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning. Reflecting on individual performance helped team members identify areas for personal growth, such as improving communication skills and overcoming inhibitions. Recognizing team challenges, such as task distribution and adherence to deadlines, led to strategic changes like better planning and on-campus collaboration, which were instrumental in overcoming setbacks. These reflective practices not only improved the efficiency and outcome of the project but also solidified the team's ability to support and compensate for each other's weaknesses, thus enhancing the overall cohesion and effectiveness of their collective efforts .

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