Hunger

Hunger…

I can still vividly remember pictures of African kids with their round and bloated belly sticking out. As a kid, I did not know what was happening. Why is their belly swollen? Why are they so skinny as if they can break anytime. Why are they crying? Why are they drinking muddy water? Why are they still eating the stale bread although there was a fly on it just now? Daddy, why is no one helping them? Those are the questions that I asked my dad when he showed me those pictures.

Daddy explained, “They are the less fortunate people. People in Africa are suffering from chronic hunger. Millions are chronically undernourished and at least 12 million children are acutely malnourished. Many died due to starvation as well. The children’s swollen tummies were caused by a severe malnutrition that is most common in children. It is called ‘Kwashiorkor’. It happens when there is a lack of protein in the diet, which affects the balance and distribution of fluids in the body and often leads to a swollen belly.”.

“Daddy…why do they have no food?” I asked.

Daddy explained, “People in Africa are facing recurring drought, conflict, and instability that have led to severe food shortages. Many countries have struggled with extreme poverty for decades, so they lack government and community support systems to help their struggling families.”.

“How can they be helped?” I probed again.

Daddy explained, “They can be helped if every country unites and stands together to help those countries that are suffering from starvation. It is not easy for only one country to help Africa, but it will be easy if all the countries in the world work together to save Africa. Do you know what else you can do?”.

“No, I can’t help anything at all. I have no money.” I replied.

“You can help by finishing all your food on your plate without leaving a single grain of rice. People in Africa want to eat, but they do not have the chance nor the privilege to do so. It is very important for you to appreciate and not waste your food as it does not feel good to be starving most of the time. It is very difficult to bear with hunger.” said dad.

That is one piece of advice that I’ve kept in mind all this while. I have always ensured that my plate is clean and I’ve finished everything on my plate. Although I have not suffered from starvation before, I know how hard it is to be hungry. I have tried fasting for 24 hours without any food and water. It was really hard and I felt weak. Now, imagine people in Africa who are suffering from starvation almost everyday. How tough it must be for them. Therefore, it is very important to not waste food and to appreciate what we have in our lives.

Originally written by Wong Xin Yi
Last edited: 13/09/2021
Time: 6.30pm
Category: Short Creative Non-Fiction

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