A RWN woman is…

…a bridge, an advocate, and a leader for refugee and immigrant women.

Star Power is an effective teaching tool that is part of the Frierian methodology. The participanting group are handed out an envelope with play money. They are given very simple instructions on how they can ‘trade’ their money. A monitor or ‘police’ is set up to observe the rules are being followed.

As the game proceeds, participants trade their money. The goal is to gather more of ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ which are in short supply. They can also aim at trading a lot of ‘blue’ money, which is of a lesser value, but can add up quickly. At the end of a round, they tally each person’s points.

Some get put in the ‘jail’ or prevented from trading. Some are confused and choose not to trade.

Most participants strategize on how they can gain enough number of gold, silver or blue money to get the highest scores. A few additional opportunties are given to increase one’s position in the group. A lively discussion ensues on who should get the extra money and why.

As the game proceeds, the people who get the highest scores starts making and enforcing rules on the rest of the group. The members of the other group have a choice, to play by the rules or be left out.

Some groups organize and protest against the rules, others demonstrate, others choose to throw their money away to show their dissent.

The goal of the game is to demonstrate the hierarchy of power structure that exists in a society. How a few powerful people at the top of the hierarchy control the masses.  Following the game, a lively debrief takes place where participants share their experience, some surprising responses, to the game.

Leadership Program Coordinator, Sumaya Karimi who is trained in Frierian metodology says, “no matter where we play this game whether in South Africa, America, Afghanistan, the results are always the same.” As a community organizing tool, this exercise is effective because it also demonstrates the different choices people make, like participate in trying to bring awareness, participating in the structure for their benefit, avoid participating and even anarchy.