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Food Not Bombs Heads to Nigeria
20 November 2006
by Anai Rhoads Ford
AnaiRhoads.org - Africa's most populated country, Nigeria, is home to 140 million
people and composed of more than 250 ethnic groups. Once considered a
strong net exporter of foods and products, it now relies on imports
to sustain itself.
Nigeria, also called the Heart of Africa, is located just above the
equator with a coastline extending over 800 miles. Following a
16-year military rule, Nigeria adopted a more peaceful constitution
in 1999 where the country is still undergoing social and economic
reforms.
Despite having a petroleum-based economy and rapid government reform,
over 100 million of the 140 million people residing there are living
below the poverty line.
The country is riddled with hunger, homelessness, and diseases such
as protozoal and bacterial diarrhea, malaria, hepatitis A, and
typhoid fever. AIDS has a stronghold on the country, and the infant
mortality and death rates are considerably high.
The land, once lush, has suffered rapid deforestation, soil
degradation, general water and air pollution in the more urban areas,
and desertification. It is said the most pollution in Nigeria can be
directly caused by oil. Spills have tainted the waters, constant
burning of oil wells have affected the air, and the soil that once
gave birth to rich foods in abundance is now barely uberous.
Many groups and organisations have come through Nigeria offering
help, but none have made such a personal and useful impact as much as
Food Not Bombs. While most offer a somewhat impersonal approach, Food
Not Bombs stands with the people.
Headed by co-founder, Keith Mchenry, Food Not Bombs has grown from a
simple concept to a worldwide effort. Over the last 26 years, the
organisation has brought in countless volunteers and chapters which
currently can be found in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle
East, Asia, and Australia.
McHenry made his way to Nigeria's southern city of Calabar in November to meet face-to-face with people in need. Not only did he serve vegan and vegetarian food, the trademark of Food Not Bombs, but he also brought them consociation.
"Driving towards Port Hartcourt it is still possible to see how
beautiful the Niger Delta must have been before the oil companies
came and destroyed it." McHenry said. "Now the people live in conditions as close to
hell on earth as is possible. The water bubbles fluorescent green and smoke fills the air from refinery flares and garbage heaps. The
ground is soaked black with oil. It is not possible for the
people to grow food or fish the streams because the oil companies
have ruined everything."
While the poor in America struggle daily to overcome their situation,
in other countries the definition of poverty is dramatically
different. Those living in poorer nations deal with next to nothing
to survive.
"I am drawn to the positive friendly energy of the Nigerian people. They are so optimistic even though their lives are so difficult," McHenry expressed.
Food Not Bombs also distributes a handbook, How to Feed the
Hungry and Build Community which offers recipes on how to prepare
meals for 100 or more people at a time.
McHenry's venture to the African Nation of Nigeria was documented and shown on SBS Dateline.
For those who would like to donate to Food Not Bombs or start a
Chapter in your neighbourhood, please visit their official web site
at www.foodnotbombs.net.
©2006 Anai Rhoads Ford. Reproduction must be authorised in writing
by author only. Altering, redistributing, or selling this material is
strictly prohibited.
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