FOOD FOR THOUGHT; THE THOUGHT OF FOOD.

You all probably have seen that photo that worn the Pulitzer prize taken way back in 1994 by a South African journalist, Kevin Carter who later on committed suicide supposedly for the intense emotional distress he suffered as a result of that moving site he went ahead to capture on film. Though much talk was created from the general public, mainly concerning the actions of the photographer, in that, whether it was humane for him to capture the photo, or whether he should have assisted the child to reach the UN refugee camp that was a kilometer ahead, the photo itself created general awareness of the issue of food insecurity, whether created due to civil war (as in this photo, the photo was taken at a time when Sudan was in deep turmoil) or natural disasters leading to food shortage as mainly is the case in famine.

 

The reality portrayed in the image above is almost unbearable, and it goes to show that the issue of food security is actually a matter that needs to be resolved piecemeal. Probably, what we need is to come up with proper leaders who will remember the people at all time and not necessarily when they are looking for votes. Currently, in Kenya, the problem of food shortage has finally set in again, this time claiming animals and human beings in Northern Rift Valley and North Eastern provinces. Maybe to relate to the Pulitzer Photo, in Kenya we had our own share of extreme measures undertaken by family members who resulted to their dog as the only thing they could push down their throats to see at least another day.

 

Even sadder is the fact that there still are those we have merely nicknamed as I.D.Ps n forgotten that they are Kenyans like us. Food scarcity has also been catapulted by the deteriorating economy and the high cost of living. As we speak, there are about 17 million Kenyans facing severe food shortage. A bad of maize flour is going for as high as 115/- Kshs. and the blame game has set in in the ministry of agriculture concerning food shortage. Recently, Kenya’s Ministry of Livestock Development warned that over 150,000 camels, 6 million cattle and 16 million goats were at risk as a result of the drought conditions. 

Even the wild animals are dying.

However, the question lies on quite a different dimension. A major problem in Kenya today lies more on our character, of failing to make amends and thus shifting the blame from one corner to another. Therefore, I challenge the patriotism, and the brother and sister-hood of every citizen, to take matters int our own hands and touch the lives' of fellow Kenyans.

The FOOD FOR THOUGH; THE THOUGHT OF FOOD, is an organisation that is non beneficial to its members, but that aims at ensuring that we create a forum and a channel for Kenyans to assist their fellow Kenyans who are dying of hunger. The aim of this organisation is to bring together Kenyans, Institutions and Companies of goodwill to conduct a vigorous food collection exercise and to also ensure that the food reaches the required masses. 

The Organisation is on its preliminary setup stages but requires the general public to be aware of its existence and its intentions from the very beginning. Therefore we welcome ideas from all and sundry and promise to keep you aware of the developments. Please feel free to follow the page on facebook too.

Live simply that others might simply live.  ~Elizabeth Ann Seton


Thank you all in advance, come on, we can do this, lets make a difference.


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