I’ve been meaning to post this video for ages. It’s long but worth watching. (I’m sorry to send you somewhere else but I can’t manage to actually post it here.) It’s a sobering news article about the current food crisis in Mauritania. I love it because it shows what much of Nouakchott really looks like and the reality of many people’s lives. Also, I’m pretty sure that I know the person who does the English translation of the Mauritanian man. I think he was one of my students last year.
Also, please notice all the flies! Some things I don’t miss.
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11 comments
May 28, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Kelly @ Love Well
Wow! I love that video can transport us to another culture. That one sure did. It’s amazing to think you went from that to the Pacific Northwest. Talk about a study in contrasts.
I also ache for the families all over the world being affected by this economic tsunami. It’s horrible.
May 29, 2008 at 3:07 am
Robin
We in the west really have no idea how privileged we are. Rising gas prices just aren’t in the same universe as trying, and failing, to feed your family on a dollar a day, when you can even get that.
A sobering video indeed. Thank you for sharing it.
May 29, 2008 at 8:03 am
Jeanne A
What a sad video.
We complain here of raising food prices—but have no idea what it would be like not to feed our kids.
May 29, 2008 at 6:16 pm
LIB
Wow–what a depressing video! But, I’m glad to have seen it a) so I know what’s going on around the world; and, b) to understand a bit more about your ‘second home’.
May 30, 2008 at 4:33 am
Jeanne A
Just after I watched the video and left my comment I went to my refrigerator and discovered a container with moldy macaroni salad. As I threw it away I prayed for forgiveness at my wastefulness as people starve far away from me……….then at dinner time I went to make the rice maker and discovered moldy rice. God forgive us.
(Just so you don’t think I’m the worst person in the world—my kids are supposed to clean up after dinner and some teen missed the rice cooker that day.)
May 31, 2008 at 12:31 am
meredith
Wow.
I wondered if the store in the video looks like the one your kids use to go to when running errands for you?
May 31, 2008 at 10:48 am
leslie gould
Thank you for posting this. Wow. And to know this is happening in so many parts of the world…
May 31, 2008 at 10:48 am
Laurie
Wow! We are having civil unrest in Honduras but so far relatively mild. Food prices are very high here too. I had a friend a long time ago from Mauritius. He was small in stature but had a big heart. I knew him in Bible College in Tennesee. Thanks for the video.
May 31, 2008 at 11:44 am
planetnomad
Meredith: Yes, basically. I was in boutiques like that one lots of times. The one nearest our house was a little nicer, but not much.
Laurie: Actually it’s Mauritania, not Mauritius. Don’t feel bad–it’s a common mistake, and one that the postal service seemed particularly inclined to make.
Jeanne: I’m sure we’ve all thrown away our share of moldy food. The only difference is that in Mauritania, there are always plenty of nearby goats to eat it!
May 31, 2008 at 4:34 pm
marie
Homesick :-). And I’ve never even been to Mauritania. I loved this video because it did a good job of illustrating that real people are feeling the despair of not being able to feed their kids. That can be easy to lose in the news reports. It’s made me think a bit more about my focus on sustainability and dignity in development – what do you do when what used to work to keep a family alive no longer does?
June 4, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Carrie
Ah, that video made me miss Mauritania, Ms. Nomad!!
Wow. It’s amazing how almost 3 years here in the states can dull one’s senses, and memories. . . my heart is aching, too, for the people in Mauritania who can’t eat. And what about the Tomato Can Boys??