In this unit, you've learned of hopes for Sub-Saharan Africa and of challenges that the region faces and will continue to face in the future. Individuals and governments use many different strategies to solve their problems. In this project, you'll learn about a new problem-solving strategy.

OBJECTIVES
Identify a problem Sub-Saharan Africa will face in the future.
Analyze potential solutions to that problem.
Select the best possible solution to the problem.
Materials needed:
phone or computer capable of accessing the internet
paper (optional)
writing materials (optional)
One problem-solving technique people use is the "Problem/Solution Frame." In this frame:

the problem is stated;
two or more possible solutions are provided,
the anticipated results of each possible solution are analyzed,
the best solution is selected, and
the reason for the choice of solutions is explained.
Let's take a look at how this works.

The frame below presents the questions that need to be answered.

Problem/Solution Frame
What is the problem?
What is a possible solution?
What is another possible solution?
What are the likely results of the first solution?
What are the likely results of the second solution? (If you have come up with more than two solutions, analyze these, too.)
What is the best solution?
Why did you choose the solution you did?
Let's apply this technique to a problem that you may have to deal with.

Problem/Solution Frame
What is the problem?

You want to go to the football game tonight, but your car is out of gas and you're broke.

What is a possible solution?

Borrow money from your parents.

What is another possible solution?

Hitch a ride with a friend who's going to the game.

What are the likely results of the first solution?

Your parents will probably loan you the money, but it might come with another reminder about budgeting your money; or worse yet, they may encourage you to get a job! Yet, if you take the money, you can come and go when you want. You may even be able to get your new friend in the geography class to ride with you.

What are the likely results of the second solution? (If you have come up with more than two solutions, analyze these, too.)

You could go to the game without having to either owe money or (Groan!) listen to your parents' comments, however justified. Still, you wouldn't have as much freedom at the game, and you'd also owe your friend a ride in the future.

What is the best solution?

Hitching a ride with a friend.

Why did you choose the solution you did?

Although neither solution is perfect, the second solution was best. There won't be any debt, no frowns from parents, and you and your friend always have fun together.

OK, now it's your turn.

Directions
Select an issue that Sub-Saharan Africa will likely have to deal with in its future.
Use the Problem/Solution Frame to analyze solutions for the problem you selected. (Your coursework, the internet, and other resources can help you find solutions and evaluate them.)
Based on your analysis, select the best solution.
Explain the reasons behind your choice.