Section 3: Reference Materials

Reference #4: House Construction Game

The Scenario

“Imagine we are all traveling by a small boat and a big storm comes up. By hard effort, we reach land. We look for a shelter, but cannot find any. Eventually, we see two business people coming toward us carrying materials for house construction. We ask if it is possible to purchase materials so that we can build a house. The people reply that they cannot accept money for the items, but that they are willing to exchange them for items of equal value. We accept this offer.”

Preparation

1. Assemble house construction materials. The facilitator should decide in advance how many houses will be required (depending on the number of participants), and should prepare sufficient materials for all houses. Materials should be adapted to local conditions and what is available.
2. Prepare price list of house construction materials (see example a below)
3. Prepare price list of personal items that participants will exchange for building materials. In preparation for this game, the facilitator should make a list of items that participants are likely to have on them or that they can quickly gain access to. For example, items might include clothing (sweaters, coats, hats, shoes, saris, shirts, pants, etc.), costume jewelry, workshop items such as pens, booklets, etc. The facilitator should prepare a list and assign a monetary value to each item. If the price is fixed, the exchange will take place more easily. The price should be set at a level that compels participants to make a substantial contribution for the construction materials. When setting prices, generally items that are difficult to give should be given a higher value. Participants should not be asked to contribute items that are very valuable, or that might be lost or misplaced during the exercise.

Steps

1. Step #1: Read the scenario to participants.
2. Step #2: Organize participants for the game, as follows:
   • The facilitator will be one of the two business people. A facilitator assistant or one of the participants can be the other business person.
   • Select one participant to observe and make notes on the activities of all the groups
   • Select an outside person (not a participant) to evaluate the houses that are built, and destroy them at the end of the exercise.
   • Divide the remaining participants into groups of about six to eight people, depending on the size of the workshop.
3. Step #3: Prior to breaking into the groups, provide the following information and instructions:
   • Give each group copies of the two price lists.
   • The first task for each group is to assemble items to exchange for the house construction materials.
   • When the group has assembled items of sufficient value, they should go to the business person with these, and exchange them for the construction materials. The facilitator should keep the items in a safe place and return them immediately after the house building exercise is completed.
   • Groups will be allowed 30 to 45 minutes to construct their houses.
   • During the construction the designated “observer” will make notes about each group.
4. Step #4: Judging and Destruction
   • The outside person will judge the houses and then destroy them.
5. Step #5: Assemble in plenary for discussion.

Examples of Price Lists

Example A: House Construction Materials and Values)

Construction materials	Value in Rs.
Tent/Tarpaulin (large sheets of paper or newsprint)	3000
Four bamboo	4000
Scissors	100
Masking tape	100
Rope	200
Marker	100
Total cost of materials required per house	7,500

Example B: Exchange Items and Values

S/N	Items	Rate Rs.
1.	Sweater	300
2.	Coat	250
3.	Cap	100
4.	Shirt	300
5.	Pants	500
6.	Sari	500
7.	Shawl	100
8.	Bracelet, Necklace or Ring	100
9.	Pen or Writing Tablet	100

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