Two Middle School Humanities teachers, Tanya Lee and Susan Vachon, have transformed the way Grade 6 students engage with global issues. Their innovative podcasting project, designed to explore the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in addressing poverty, has empowered students to become storytellers, researchers and advocates for change. The hard work and creativity of these students were celebrated with a listening party complete with popcorn, marking the culmination of a project that has left a lasting impact on both participants and listeners.
NGOs are independent organizations that operate without direct government control, often focusing on humanitarian, environmental, and social issues. Many NGOs work to alleviate poverty by providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and disaster relief, while also advocating for policy changes to create long-term solutions.
The project, created by Tanya Lee and Susan Vachon, centred around a driving question: How do NGOs try to solve poverty-related problems? Students were tasked with creating 5-minute podcasts that highlighted the work of one NGO, blending factual research with creative storytelling. Each podcast featured a student host and a student acting as an NGO representative, engaging in a dynamic Q&A format to bring the organization’s mission to life.
The project aimed to foster empathy, understanding and a commitment to change, equipping students with the tools to tackle complex global issues.
Student Voices
Students embraced the project with enthusiasm, choosing NGOs that resonated with their interests and passions. Cate and Marchesa, hosts of Changing Lives of NGOs, focused on Kiva, an organization that provides microloans to entrepreneurs in need.
“We learned how even small donations can make a big difference,” Cate shared.
Sofia and Tessa, creators of Sunny Days with Stephanie, highlighted Care International, an NGO addressing multiple poverty-related issues.
“We didn’t know much about poverty before this project,” Sofia said. “But now we understand how important it is to support organizations like Care International.”
Jianuo and Adam explored the work of Water.org in their podcast Water World Crisis.
“We wanted to show how access to clean water can change lives,” Jianuo explained.
Emma and Bruce, hosts of What the Health, chose an NGO focused on healthcare access.
“It’s shocking how many people don’t have access to basic healthcare,” Emma said. “We wanted to raise awareness about that.”
The Podcasting Process
They crafted scripts, designed logos and recorded their podcasts, ensuring each episode included an introduction to the NGO and its mission, five relevant facts about poverty, an interview with an “NGO representative” and a call to action encouraging listeners to support the cause.
The project emphasized voice and choice, allowing students to express their creativity through podcast names, logos and personas.
This project was more than an academic exercise—it was a call to action. By sharing their podcasts with the school community and beyond, students amplified the voices of NGOs and encouraged others to care about the causes they highlighted.
As one student put it, “This project showed me that even small actions can have a big impact.”
With projects like this, led by the creativity of Lee and Vachon, it’s clear that our students are ready to lead the way.
