FOOD SHARING IN THE GAMBIA

FOOD SHARING IN THE GAMBIA

The generosity of the human is innate, it cannot be taught or learnt. As long as there are hungry children in the world there will also be an opportunity for good deeds and solidarity.

That fact was leading us to organize fund-raising for food for our sponsored families in The Gambia. We raised founds and surprised families once with rice and sugar, once with sugar and oil.  

The food was intended for the most underprivileged families in Gambia. The goal was to distribute food to those who really need it most. We considered local needs and eating habits so we bought rice, oil and sugar which are basic in everyday family food preparation and are expensive as prices are going higher every day.

Increasing food prices are pushing more and more people into poverty; due to weather conditions, food which is produced is not enough to supply the average 6 months supply of food. Consequently, they are forced to buy more expensive imported food and that makes matters even worse for the already poor households.

Rice is essential for Gambians. A 50 kilo bag feeds a family for almost a month. Gambian farms do not produce enough rice, so they are forced to import it. The prices are inaccessible to many. The poorest can only buy leftovers that fell from torn bags during shipments.

Sugar is an important ingredient in Gambian cuisine. They use it for cooking and preparing drinks, and they use it in much greater quantities than for example, flour. Sugar is a dietary supplement to their every day nutrition.

Oil is the basic ingredient of almost every meal and indispensable in every household. 

In May 2012 and later in January 2013 Gambian families dressed the most beautiful dresses they had. You could hear the laughter, gratitude and prayers. Some women were crying of happiness.

Feeling a little but shy, but certainly grateful and happy they came to take their share of rice, sugar and oil. Each one of them was thankful because so called »hungry season« due to crisis was even longer and effected the most poor people in The Gambia.

Thanks to everyone who helped us to make families and children in The Gambia so happy!

Our english version of website www.kidsaretheworld.com  is coming soon! Stay tuned!