Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Day 1: In The Beginning...


(Side note: That's an appropriate title, especially since that was my Lenten reading for today.)

So I'm starting NOW!  According to Oxfam, 50% of the world eats only rice or another staple food for dinner, so I've decided that for 30 days (though it may be part of my Lenten journey now too) that I'll eat only rice for one meal a day and donate the money that I would have spent on groceries to these children that we met in Ethiopia.  The school that they go to is run solely on charity (since a free education isn't available in Ethiopia or many other countries) and the only meals that they receive during the day are at the school.

Here are some hunger facts from Bread For The World and Feeding America:

- In 2008, nearly 9 million children died before they reached their fifth birthday. One third of these deaths are due directly or indirectly to hunger and malnutrition. Malnutrition is not having enough nourishing food, with adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and calories to support physical and mental growth and development. Children who survive early childhood malnutrition suffer irreversible harm—including poor physical growth, compromised immune function, and impaired cognitive ability.


Despite years of progress against hunger, in 2010, it is estimated that 925 million people suffer from hunger. This is due to a sudden spike in global food prices and the onset of a world-wide economic crisis. United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation


- 20% or more of the child population in 16 states and D.C. are living in food insecure households.  The states of Arkansas (24.4 percent) and Texas (24.3 percent) have the highest rates of children in households without consistent access to food. (Cook, John, Child Food Insecurity in the United States: 2006-2008.

5 comments:

  1. I had my bowl and I was still hungry. So this will definitely be interesting for me. But I'm okay with it! :)

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  2. Divine Mrs D,

    Nice post. Thanks for mentioning us, Feeding America. Good luck to you as you begin your journey.

    Sarah
    Feeding America
    http://feedingamerica.org/

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  3. You'll get used to it D'... keep sharing your journey with us!

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  4. Just been catching up. do you have any idea how much i love you and how blessed i am to be able to call you not only my friend but one of my best friends?!
    You are amazing. And eating all that rice you will end up with a Zulu bum! ;-)
    Love you. xxxxxx

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