Objective 2: To identify how we can fight hunger and malnutrition in our own communities

Materials

Project Case Studies

Concept: We can all take action to help end hunger

Content

Steps can be taken to solve the problems of hunger and malnutrition at the community, national and international levels. Sometimes the steps are small and sometimes they are great. But the important thing is to think about the problem and be aware of working towards solutions.

Young people have the creativity and energy to tackle great problems such as hunger. Case studies provide examples of what has actually been done by young people around the world. Using case studies is a way of providing hope to the children, as well as acting as a guide for how they, too can make changes in their world.

Activities

• Assign a case study to each child, or group of children (or read several case studies to younger children). Have the children summarize the case study to the class and make suggestions for how a similar project could work in their community.
• Ask the children for their ideas on actions that they, and others, can take in their communities and in the world to help solve the problems of hunger and malnutrition. List those actions and identify who could carry them out. A list of some actions that are being taken around the world is provided below.
• Pick one or two examples from the list created by the children or from the list provided, and explore how these actions could be carried out and the ways in which these actions could help fight hunger in the local area or in the world.

Examples of actions

Help improve food supplies by increasing the quantity and variety of foods available:

• Plant home, community and school gardens;
• Find ways to raise poultry, small animals or fish to eat and/or sell;
• Re-discover forgotten foods that grow in the area;
• Grow the best crops for sale and use;
• Match crops to soil and water conditions;
• Use the best tools available for farming in the region;
• Find the best balance between sale and home use of crops;
• Become involved in co-operative efforts to grow and sell foods;
• Support local farmers; buy locally grown foods;
• Establish centers or food banks to share food.

Help keep food safe to eat:

• Keep food clean;
• Keep food preparation areas and utensils clean;
• Keep stored food dry and away from insects and animals.

Help all people meet their needs for food and nutrients:

• Know your own needs for food and nutrients;
• Know the different needs for different people (life stages);
• Seek the most nourishing foods available;
• Volunteer to work for hunger issues;
• Volunteer to work in food or meal distribution centres;
• Establish food centers or food banks to share extra food;
• Work with the food industry to redistribute surplus food;
• Invite commercial food growers and producers to be part of the solution for community hunger problems.

Learn about foods, nutrition and hunger and share knowledge and ideas with others:

• Learn about the food system in your area;
• Know who in the community is working to fight hunger, listen to them, and share ideas with them;
• Know who in the community has knowledge about health and farming, listen to them, and share ideas with them;
• Take information home to families and neighbours;
• Share school projects and reports in community spaces;
• Share ideas with leaders in the community and nation;
• Urge community leaders and service providers(doctors/nurses/hospital workers/librarians) to become involved with school projects around issues of hunger and nutrition.

Summary

We have been talking about the problems of hunger in the world. Our world has made progress in feeding its people, but many people still do not have enough to eat. There is a need to increase food supplies and expand the variety of foods in many countries. Although many problems exist in fighting world hunger, we have heroes who are working on ways to feed everyone. Each of us can be a hero and take action against hunger. If we learn the causes of hunger and work on a personal and a community level to identify and solve these problems we can end hunger.

To join the Feeding Minds Fighting Hunger interactive Forum, click HERE.