Rwandan kids want to be #zerohunger heroes
Five fifth-grade pupils of the Green Hills Academy visited Rwanda's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) office, accompanied by a parent. On touring the office, they asked questions about the goal and mandate of FAO and what the staff is doing along with development partners and the government to help farmers produce better and preserve the environment for better nutrition and a better life for all. The visit was a part of their exhibition project assignment at school.
Kids' insights
"I have learned a lot of things in this presentation, and I want to help the FAO with their goal. I want to help reduce and possibly eradicate hunger in the world so that families can live a good and healthy life," said Tona Shalom.
"I feel good because I learned more about zero hunger, and I think it will help me in my studies and later in my life. So I think it was important and fun," said Yafet Kinfe Mamo
"l feel good that l get to learn all about FAO's amazing work. I feel l learned a lot of things, and l would also like to help solve the world's hunger and learn more because this is amazing, and a big thank you to the director-general, Mr Qu Dongyu. This visit has been great and a big inspiration to me and others. Thank you, and l hope to come back and learn more," said Belinda Keza
"I feel good because I learn new things, and I can tell people that Zero hunger is my Sustainable Development Goal." Nanah Sannoh said.
"I feel good because I have learned a lot of information that I did not know. This knowledge will help me in both my exhibition and my life." Tona Blessing said.
Involving kids in the quest for zero hunger
Efforts of food heroes worldwide to achieve zero hunger and ensure food security for all can only be sustainable if kids and the young become more involved early in their lives. They have energy, the skills in the latest technology, and the motivation to make life better for all.
"I would like to thank FAO Rwanda for hosting our kids and giving them information about Zero Hunger. The information will help the pupils with their exhibition project and has given them ideas on how they can contribute to resolving world hunger at their level. FAO's staff presented and answered questions in a form that the children can understand and in a way that they can remember throughout their life journey." Said Momona Belay Alemayehu, parent.
She added, "To let students see and practice in real-life and see the world they live in at this age (10-11 years old) will contribute a lot to solving the society's problems. Thanks again to FAO for contributing to making the world a better place to live!"
At home
Kids can play a paramount role in their homes, including stopping food waste. The World Bank report titled "Rwanda Food Smart Country Diagnostic 2020" estimates that more than 40% of food is wasted annually. The report further states that today 18.7% of Rwandan households remain food insecure. Rwanda's food security index lies below the average for Sub-Saharan African countries. If educated on the impact of wasting food, kids can develop a culture and mindset of eating sufficient, necessary, and healthily. Also in their funny way, they can be zero hunger heroes by convincing their parents and other household members not to waste food.
At school
When kids participate in school-based food and nutrition education, they can help communities achieve lasting and tremendous milestones in the world's food security journey. FAO considers school gardens as one of the essential accessible models to use. School gardens have many benefits for children: Taste and learn about healthy food, learn how to grow vegetables and fruits, develop teamwork skills, promote better nutrition, and learn to value the work of those who grow our food.
"We were happy to host the pupils of the Green Hills Academy in our office. We thank the school and the parents for the initiative. We believe that it is important that children learn, at an early age, about the alarming food insecurity issues that we face as a country and globally." said Mr. Orlando Sosa, FAO Agricultural Officer at the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE).
He added, "We are proud that the children are interested in what FAO does to address global food insecurity and nutrition issues. Sharing information is at the core of our organization's mandate, and sharing it with our youth in particular to motivate them is necessary and imperative!"
Innovation in science and technology and applied to agriculture is crucial to solving the problem of global food insecurity and nutrition. FAO acknowledges that the youth is a vital element, in this regard, for success in achieving a world without hunger, leaving no one behind.