International Friendship Day 2014Done by: Mdm NazreenImages and captions taken from http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2011/02/christchurch_earthquake.html

Lesson Objectives

1) Pupils to understand that by sharing our experiences and helping one another, countries can strengthen relationships;2) Pupils to understand that there are common values that are necessary to build trust between countries.

Class Discussion (I):As you look through the following images, ask yourselves the following questions:1) What happened in Christchurch?2) What do you think are the reactions and feelings of the residents in Christchurch?

As a class, have a short discussion based on what you have seen or read.

The collapsed Pyne Gould Guinness building trapped dozens of people. The police have been pulling 20 or 30 people out of those buildings right throughout the night.

Rescuers help an injured woman from the remains of the Pyne Gould Guinness Corp building .The top three floors of the four-story building collapsed.

Workers attempt to extinguish a fire at the collapsed building of King's Education School, where a group of Japanese students are reportedly trapped.

Survivors shelter together in Christchurch Tuesday night.

Kent Manning (left) and his sister Libby react with their father, who asked not to identified, after they were told by police that there was no hope of finding Kent and Libby's mother alive in a collapsed building on Wednesday.

Murray and Kelly James look at their destroyed house in central Christchurch on Wednesday.

Class Discussion (II):Read through the extract about how Singapore offered to help in the disaster as well as the notes of appreciation.As a class, discuss on the following questions: 1) Why do you think Singapore offered assistance?2) Should other countries do the same?

How Singapore rendered help:On February 22, 2011, an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale shook Christchurch, New Zealand.  SCDF’s Operation Lionheart was activated and a 55-member contingent led by LTC Ling Kok Yong, Commander 1st CD Division left Singapore for Christchurch on 23 February 2011, 0321hrs to assist in the search and rescue operations. 

The contingent comprised experienced officers from SCDF’s elite Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team (DART), medical doctors, trauma paramedics, rescue engineers, and other support officers.  The contingent also brought along a host of sophisticated rescue equipment.  Four search dogs were also part of the mission.

 The contingent swung into action immediately upon reaching the affected site and worked round-the clock.  At the request of the New Zealand government, 33 members of the  55-member  contingent stayed on for a further seven days to assist in the recovery operations.   

Notes of appreciation:

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/mindef_websites/atozlistings/army/army_news/News_Archive/2011/Mar2011/Christchurch.print.html?Status=1

http://www.scdf.gov.sg/content/scdf_internet/en/others/lionheart/wishes_from_the_heart.html

It’s Your Turn – Reflection!Choose one of the questions below and post up your reflection on the current affairs blog. The best three reflection wins a prize!

1) Are friendship between two countries similar to friendships between two people?

2) What are the values necessary to build friendships between countries? What will happen if these values are absent?