Jolene Chen, was one of four students chosen to go on an overseas trip to Magole, Tanzania.

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Jolene Chen, was one of four students chosen to go on an overseas trip to World Vision’s project in Magole, Tanzania.  The following essay was submitted as part of her contest application for World Vision’s 2001 Overseas Study Tour.  She traveled with the winners and World Vision staff June 18 – July 1, 2001.  Next week read excerpts from her trip journal.
Gazing through a magazine, America often depicts hunger through the bloated stomachs of children or fragile living skeletons.  Though they often see these horrid pictures, Americans do not connect these images with reality.  Hunger is much more than a physical deprivation, but instead, it is much more complex.  It reflects the countries in which they live in and the stance of the world.  Through what may seem like an unpromising situation, it is through the grace of God that there is hope.

Hunger is a reflection of reality.  Seeing a person suffering from hunger depicts their living situation.  It is not lethargic actions that cause them to hunger, but it is their environment.  The poor political decision of the nation cause the hungry to suffer.  Whether it is the bad distribution of resources or the pitiable sense of prioritizing their issues, it is reflected on the lives of the people.  Families strive to provide for themselves, but because of the monetary structure of their nation, they are unable to attain the most basis necessities needed for survival.  Since people are unable to provide food and other needs for their family, it leads to the loss of faith and hope.  Now the people not only hunger, but they have no reason for living.  Hunger is more than a physical setback.  It reveals the situational plight impoverished countries cannot escape by themselves.

Hunger reflects society.  In America, people face the issue of hunger with ignorance and apathy.  The people of the United States have the power to make a difference in other nations by stopping hunger.  Instead, people want nothing to do with the issue.  However, it is not only the United States ignoring these situations, but it is also the political heads of these poverty stricken countries.  They often seek to maintain their power by doing nothing for their people.  By ignoring the issues of hunger and poverty, the world helps in exacerbating the ever-worsening situations faced by these helpless countries.

Hope deflects hunger.  Though many sources contribute to the problem of hunger, there is hope.  Purpose driven organizations are being established to aid these impoverished countries.  By reaching out and working directly with the poor, these organizations are making an incredible difference.  These institutions are providing food, water, health care, education, and many other basic needs to the needy families.  After receiving these essential necessities, the organizations begin to slowly instill the hope and faith that was once lost to these people.  They are then able to teach the fundamentals that allow them to provide for themselves.  More importantly, many of these programs introduce the people to the love of God.  Not only do these programs provide hope for the future; they also give the gift of spiritual life.
By recognizing that hunger is not a condition that can be alleviated through the provision of food only, perhaps the American public will realize that through their contributions, hope can be given back to these people.  Not only do they need fundamental necessities; they need to be taught how to use what they have in the most economical and effective matter.  Through their love and contributions, they are able to give life back to the impoverished, both spiritually and physically.