1. Learn a Chinese proverb.

If you give a person a fish, the person will not be hungry today. Teach the person to fish and the person need never be hungry again. Ask the children what this proverb means to them. The rabbit project in Ghana assists people to grow their own food, so they can feed themselves. What might this proverb mean to Helene and Kojo? Be sure to point out that Helene and Kojo's rabbits are not pets, but are used for food. Finally, explain how they can support programs that help people grow their own food through CWS.

An art activity to go with this conversation:
Ask the children how they might restate the proverb to match the story. For example: "Give a family a rabbit and they have food for one meal. Give a family a pair of rabbits and they can grow food for many meals." Provide construction paper and markers for the children to make posters with the new proverb showing the CWS-supported rabbit project. Display their posters around the Build a Better World! poster. Print the information on the paper for younger children to add the illustrations.
(Materials: construction paper, markers, poster)

2. Make a hutch and rabbits.

Trace the rabbit outline on cardboard so each child will have two rabbits to cut out. Have the children cover the rabbits with cotton balls, dipping them in glue and pressing them on the cardboard rabbit shape, both sides. Place a one-quart plastic berry box on a piece of heavy cardboard and trace around it. Cut out the square, which will be the bottom of the rabbit hutch. With a hole punch, punch about four holes on each side of the square. Tie the rabbits, by their back, to the top of the hutch so their feet are on the floor. Attach the plastic basket to the cardboard floor by threading yarn or string through each hole and around the basket. Tie securely. Twist-ties can be used instead of the string or yarn.

When everyone has a rabbit hutch and rabbits, explain that in order to raise rabbits, you must have a hutch that sits above the ground. Ask the children, "Why do you think the rabbits must be high above the ground?" Some reasons are: to help keep the floor of the hutch clean, to keep them off the wet ground, to keep other animals from attacking them. Tell the children that a pair of rabbits costs $10 and a rabbit hutch costs $40. Suggest a few familiar items that cost about the same amount.
(Materials: cardboard, scissors, cotton balls, white glue, one-quart plastic berry or vegetable baskets, string, hole punch, string or twist-ties)

3. Make a rabbit poster:

Enlarge the rabbit outline. As money is donated, glue a cotton ball to the rabbit: one ball for each $1 or $5. If you fill one rabbit, start another poster. Start a trail of them along a hallway wall. Rabbits do multiply quickly, you know. From time to time, figure out whether you have enough for a pair of rabbits and a rabbit hutch, a total of $50.
(Materials: poster board, glue, cotton balls)

4. Create a display to publicize the rabbit project.

Ask the children to bring in their stuffed rabbits. Label them with the owner's name. Pile them on a table or in a hammock-style net, often sold to hold children's toys. Or just hang a volleyball net filled with the rabbits where it will catch everyone's eye. The children can make notices about CWS and their project to hand out or put in the net to explain the exhibit.
(Materials: stuffed rabbits, hammock-style net)

5. Raise money for the rabbit project.

The Children's Group of Salem United Church of Christ in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, held a pizza sale to raise money for CWS. Your group might bake, decorate and sell rabbit-shaped cookies. If that is not possible, think of another food to make and sell to raise money. Be sure to tell people why you are raising the money; many will be more generous if they know about the cause. Make rabbit "thank you" notes for your customers.
(Materials: baking and decorating supplies)

NOTE: When you are ready to send your donation to Church World Service, please send a single check made out to CWS Blankets+ Program to CWS, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515. If you have any questions or would like more information about the CWS Blankets+ Program, call 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.