The Power of Youth and the Winnable Battle Against Global Hunger

On Monday night I had the opportunity to share a stage with the great Arianna Huffington and the always inspirational, Josette Sheeran. I was so grateful to spend time with such amazing women and to discuss a topic I love, the World Food Programme's "Fill the Cup" campaign and school feeding program. I've worked with the WFP for 3 years now and have been fortunate enough to become one of their Ambassadors Against Hunger.

It's heartbreaking to picture the number of children suffering from hunger around the world and one of the many reasons I love teaming up with Josette is because of her always optimistic outlook on the solution. How can Josette sit in that room and say that this battle against hunger is "winnable" when the number of children dying from it is so vast? Well, she shares the facts to support that statement beautifully, and I'll leave that to her. But for me, when I see a room full of people eager to learn how to fight global hunger, when I've taken the field trips and seen the effect of the WFP in action, I am overwhelmed and I see the truth in her statement -- this is a winnable battle.

When I donated money to the WFP on Oprah, and saw an outpouring of additional donations from students, families, mothers and fathers across the US that raised an additional $500,000 for the cause -- I once again, saw the truth in her statement. And the other night at CAA, the energy in that room of people being motivated or sharing what they've already done to aid in the elimination of world hunger was palpable. Right in front of me in the audience were Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson, whose own youthful philanthropy came in the form of fashionable "Feed Bags," which in conjunction with the WFP have already fed over 40,000 children for a year in school.

One of the questions that came out of the Q&A that night was posed by a 12 year-old boy named Colin. He described the opulent wealth he's surrounded by at school and wanted to know how to make his peers aware of this global hunger issue. And I responded with "Why don't you tell me." We started to engage and I am always struck by the power of youth.

We have to fight for these children to be nurtured and encouraged. I ask for people to donate to the WFP because even a quarter can change the life of a child. Josette says that we can overcome global hunger, and with help and donations it is truly possible!

I was so happy to speak with Colin because as a young person, that's what this is about: Changing lives of children in need, as we work to shift the consciousness of anyone who is able to help or contribute in any way. If our youth don't have the priorities to help others, we are in trouble. If children who need and fundamentally deserve that right for food and education, don't get it, we are in trouble. This young generation is the future. They will be in charge. And taking care of one another is what I hope for in that future. To deliver the message of hope and actually execute it! This is possible.

It is a choice we make. It is what we teach others. What we all must practice. The world can be an overwhelming place. And I understand the human nature to be self-involved, but there are people out there like Josette who are literally changing the world. If the heroes we look up to are human, then the capacity to affect the world positively, the way they do, is possible for any human being.

So if we take a moment out of our busy lives and teach our youth, this conscious shift is possible. I ask children to contribute their ideas on how we can do big to little things to take care of these children in need. Again, they are our future and not only should we not stand in their way or look away, we should enable them to become those human heroes that we all need.

Once more, I thank Arianna for providing this platform as generously as she has. And to end by saying that any bit helps and you can either donate at Drewbarrymore.com or wfp.org.

Thank you for even taking the time to read this and I encourage us all to take care of each other.

Thank you,

Drew Barrymore

Comments

[JnrNorman]

Your wrong Clairvaux One World Goverment is always ineficient & takes your rights away!
One World Goverment (UTOPIA) is an evil dream.


OBAMAS GREEN AGENDA;
This is the technology being fast tracked by the Obama administration!

This is a planet threatening situation not some small oversight.

Go to the website to read the whole article--more info and and action plans.

http://www.raw- wisdom.com/ genetically- modified- food
50 HARMFUL EFFECTS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) FOODS

[Clairvaux]

Eliminating starvation and humanely reducing world population must be joint goals.

Eliminating starvation is easier and definitely attainable.

Reducing population is going to take some real creativity.

[liecatcher]

HEY DREW:

Thanks for not only caring, but doing something about it.

To really make a BIG difference, you must read or view the CD "SEEDS OF DECEPTION"

to know what starvation is really all about.

Also, depending on your grasp of the big picture, you might want to study the "ETHANOL HOAX" to

understand why food is being used to fuel vehicles instead of people.

Keep up the good work & GOD bless you for trying to save the children.

[Peacein09]

Hi Drew. I read your post because it was written by you! I love your lack of pretentiousness and your acting. Riding in Cars with Boys was one of my favorites. I am struck by your observation that it is extremely difficult for a child who is surrounded by wealth to appreciate the life of starving child even if that child is here in the US let alone in some war torn country in Africa. We forget that children of 5 live on their own in many countries of the world because many countries do not have a social safety net of any kind. My only problem with charities is that they drain money from public programs and become an excuse for not paying your fair share. UNESCO is for everyone, every nation. We need to support publicly financed programs not only with our tax dollars but with citizen oversight to make sure we have good public servants providing the best possible assistance to people who need it.

[MerrieWay]

Drew, we need programs to train our children that this is a global world and that we are 'one' - a human family. We must start community action in our own backyard.

'Morph America' an across curriculum for grades 5-12 teaches compassion, "there goes I' it became a transformational process for youth. Youth view challenging issues from 'peer pressure', gang violence, to homelessness.

Youth develop critical thinking skills and creative problem solving techniques. Whether they were dealing with personal issues like bullying or improving the UN they came up with creative solutions that they took into the community. Morph America projects; feeding the homeless, mentoring younger students, helping the elderly - performing plays or concerts at senior homes. Taking action garnered community service credit, promoting a lifelong trait of positive citizenry.

Merrie Way supports teaching children important values and life-skills. This awareness, with supportive life tools will help them work in a global effort to end hunger issues, by moving away from a gluttonous society.

[liecatcher]

By the time the children are able to understand that this is a global world, it will be too late .

But maybe they will know why food is being used to fuel vehicles instead of feeding the starving

people around the world.

THE NEW WORD ORDER / ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT is upon us.

[Clairvaux]

One World government, if it is truly democratic, would be a good thing.

If it was essentially a fascist state run by the elite, it would be an Orwellian nightmare.

It is incumbent upon us to be fiercely vigilant and create a democratic world government.

Peace on earth, goodwill to men.

[ditchdigger]

ms. barrymore.it is refrshing to see a hollywood type actually be involved with a project so admirable.i listen to some of your peers that crop up on these talkshows,and become disgusted with their dis inguous,talk.they consider themselves the spokesmean for the oppressed,and downtrodden,and it is just talk.you have shown,a proprensity for action.your peers show a propensity for attention.as a compassionate marxist,i applaud for your actions.i can only hope that the food is getting into the right hands.not the government dictators that keep the food away from those in need.because they hate the u.s.,and want their people to believe that we do not care.we are the most chairitable nation on the planet.

[Hungry4Change]

By making giving easy, effortless, and sustainable, we hope to help accelerate the results of the World Food Programme's 'Fill the Cup' program. Take a look at our 30-second video that describes "Hungry for Change" (created initially for Google's 10 to the 100th Project):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCQPLnXFE-4

Click on 'more info' to the right of the video for a more detailed explanation. If you believe in the cause and care to help, please contact us.

[Aramarcal]

Right on Drew!

[gisellestwocents]

Drew, you are a beautiful person inside and out. It is so great to see a strong, independent, self-confident woman stepping forward to make a difference just because she cares. I hate the fact that there are people suffering all over the world as a result of violence and hunger. It's just despicable. I feel so helpless sometimes, but people like you give me hope.

[Question Othority]

Market economy capitalsim has been proven to be the greatest, most powerful and swiftest agent for lifting people out of poverty. At the end of WWII, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore were some of the poorest places on earth, and Japan & Germany were in ruins. Each one of those places put market based capitalism in place, and by the end of the 20th century were all economic powerhouses with high standards of living. Compare that with the nations who adopted socialism and centrally controlled economies. Soviet Union-collapsed under it's own weight. Red China-stagnant &unable to feed itself until it freed up it's economy. North Korea-basket case. And on and on. Any famines happening today are caused by political isues.
http://shermansmarch.blogspot.com

[stell]

Give me a break, we live in a pseudo-capitalist society. TARP is the single biggest government program ever. If you want to cure poverty, completely relieve these nations of IMF, World Bank induced "debt". They can take it from there. In fact other countries like China are filling the vacuum with loans without all of the strings attached.

[Peter Van Schaick]

Drew--Your intentions are noble and heartfelt. For a long-term vision, you might also consider work of the UN’s Special Representative on the Food Crisis, Oliver De Schutter. He works to raise the consciousness of us independent citizens of the world to the socially-created arrangements that create world hunger, and to pointing out alternatives that could end it. See for instance, his recent report “Building Resilience: a human rights framework for world food and nutrition security.” A report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to food to the UNHRC, 9th Session. A/HRC/9/23 (8 September 2008). http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/food/docs/A.HRC.9.23.pdf.

[tonycerv]

When I was sponsoring a young girl named Edwige in Senegal I used to go a big sobby mess every time I read one of her letters. You'd think it would be because the letters were full of sadness and tragedy and that I was empathizing with it but in fact it was the complete opposite. The letters were upbeat and full of color and joy, the kind've letter you'd expect from any young girl who is full of life. And I used to think, how is it that this young person who is denied many of the things I take for granted so full of positive energy while I whine and complain about so many superficial things? And I'd be ashamed of myself.

You don't need to be a wealthy person donating tens of thousands of dollars to make an impact on others. Giving anything to strangers who are in dire straights in any capacity is something special. Just do it for yourself because, even if you don't learn anything from or even come in contact with those you're helping, the simple act of giving and having a purpose beyond yourself will make you twice the person you are.

[Ibackobama]

At this point, all I can do is to teach my children compassion and hope that someone else does the same, and the next person, and the next ...

I would hate for my kids to think that they are entitled to everything and not give back something. I want them to feel that if you have enough, if you are able to eat 3 meals a day everyday, they you are in a position to help someone else. There will always be those corrupted by greed but if there are more of us than they are of them, then we are doing fine :o)

[Ibackobama]

2nd Part
For those who feel that free trade is the answer, I say to a point. More often than not, when an African country deals with the West, it is never to the advantage of the African country. Kenya gained its independence in 1963, but since then they were forced by contracts in place to buy European vehicles/e­quipment/m­ilitary stuff that bankrupted the government, basically all supplies (and I mean everything) were to be ordered through the United Kingdom and it was driving the Kenyan government bankrupt. Presidents who co-operated were praised, those who disagree are labeled dictators. When the current President took office, he cancelled all those contracts and looked for more frugal alternatives, and with other improvements brought the country to have a GDP growth, the first since 1963. In doing so, for the first time, Kenya sustained its people without handouts, the economy was booming. Because he did not play ball, both the UK and the US slapped travel restrictions saying Kenya was not a safe country. The biggest foreign exchange earner for Kenya is tourism, so this was a death sentence on a country that prides itself on self reliance. Now for the first time in a long time, Kenya is asking for food. I dare say that there is a lot of stuff that goes on behind the scenes especially when it relates to the governments. African’s can be self reliant, they just need to be given a fair chance to succeed.

[independant77]

I see your point,but it is the only proven way.Capitalism is ugly sometimes.Forced contracts are not Capitalism,that is taking advantage of people.It took us 300 years to get here.Good things don't happen overnight.The path we are on now is a dangerous one(My Opinion). I don't mind when people disagree.You seem 100 times smarter than most of the mindless twits that inhabit these pages.I am only doing this because I broke my ankle and have nothing else to do.Nice to talk to you.Good Luck.

[Ibackobama]

Independant77, thanks for your insight, its the slow progress that is so frustrating at times, I'm hoping that I will see it play out in my life time.

I hope you feel better :o)

[TumTiTum]

The few post-independence leaders of Kenya have all shared a common inclination to theft and corruption. Kibaki has not differed from the rule.
Kenya received negative travel advisories (not travel "restrictions" , US and UK citizens have been free to travel regardless), because of terrorist bombings and recent widespread electoral violence in response to rigged elections, neither were fictions created by the US or the UK (although the US and UK certainly provide, by a considerable margin, the majority of paying visitors).
Africa as a continent has suffered from protectionism in its dealings with the developed world (which now includes the east, notably China), but the absence of the rule of law and good governance is Kenya's greatest burden.
Tourism in Kenya may indeed have diminished but I would suggest that is because for all the many millions earned by Kenya from tourism, there isn't even a proper tarred road from Nairobi to the Masai Mara, a World Heritage Site, it rapidly becomes miles of dirt track with a central vestigial strip of tarmac (probably from 1963), impassable in rain. Botswana, Namibia and South Africa have actual roads and are competing with and taking custom from, Kenya.
Please don't take my word for any of this, read the local Kenyan press online (the Standard, The Nation, etc.), which have covered the various (particularly food), scandals widely.
Your analysis is kind and decently intended but not entirely accurate.
Kenyans deserve better but not only from the outside world.

[stell]

Corruption? LOL. That's like calling the pot calling the kettle black. You know that's not it.

[Ibackobama]

TumTiTum, I appreciate your insight. Kibaki is not an angel by any stretch of the imagination. All I'm saying is compare him with his predessessor Moi and you would be amazed. Kibaki, being an Economics major, forced the banks to lend, reducing interests rates for homes, vehicles from a mind blowing 25+% to about 11%, he opened up trade with UAE, India, South Africa and China, he also gave a tax-exempt status to essential goods. And I do read both the Nation and Standard which are totally skewed towards either the opposition or the ruling party. If you would like to get an unfiltered view of Kenya, try youtube. Surprisingly, cell phones cameras/video use has blown up in the past 10 years and every other person is downloading anything and everything onto Youtube. Part two to follow.

[Ibackobama]

I read this article and the comments and I just had to make a few comments. No one likes to be in a position to accept charity but to survive sometimes you are forced to do so. I saw this ad the other day for some agency that donates a goat to a family in Africa and I thought what a brilliant idea! If you have never visited an African country, you would be amazed at the little that can be done that can help sustain a family. A goat would provide milk, totally essential if one has children and the milk can also be sold to buy other necessities. In as much as it can get overwhelming because there is such need. Being human is all about caring about the person next to you.

[MJinCanada]

World Vision has a gift catalogue that allows you to buy seeds and farm animals for families as well as school and medical supplies for communities.

Some of our relatives are hard to buy Christmas presents for, because they have all they need, so we donate appropriate gifts in their names. And we get to send cards that say things like: "We bought you three rabbits this Christmas, but you'll be happy to know they'll be doing their bunny things on a farm in Africa."

[000Jade000]

I received similar gifts from Oxfam and Heifer for the holidays and my birthday. I only hope that all such organizations actually buy what was intended and give those gifts to the people, because international aid hurts the recipients when the money is just given . . . it causes inflation in their economies.