Food Distribution Around The World

For my final action project, my class and I focused on multiple things. We looked at our current world population and later predicted the world population in 2050 using a geometric sequence, a sequence where you go from one term to the next by multiply or dividing. We also looked at symbiosis, the interaction of two similar and or different organisms and compared different things in nature, and in the human population, seeing how they would interact. We then used that knowledge and put it in our action project. This action project focuses on the human population and different factors that would make our population increase or decrease. We each had to pick a topic that would impact our human population in 36 years (2050). We then had to write a script educating the opposing view on the topic. Down below is my project, enjoy!

AMK (2014) Population.

Hunger is a well known topic in today's world, but some of us don't know one of the main causes, food distribution. Some parts of the world lack basic food distribution which leads to a fall in our population. In 2050, there is to be an expected 10,715,465,520 people. If we have a fall due to poor food distribution, it would be unfortunate for out nation because we have the resources to keep civilians alive. This fall is in regards to people dying everyday due to malnutrition (the lack of protein and energy) and lack of access to clean food and water. Hunger is a very serious issue in our world today, therefore we must try in every way possible to stop it. The parties that are not getting an equal distribution of food are acting in competition because they are fighting for this food that they need in order to survive. Although the majority of the United States is not fighting for food, other countries (third world/developing countries) are.

Below is my script describing the importance of food distribution, and how you can contribute to the cause.

[Kennedy and Alexis were eating lunch one day when Kennedy wondered how third world countries get their food everyday. ‘’Do they even get food every day?'' she wondered.]

Alexis: Man, I’m so full; I don’t want this anymore. Besides, it tastes bland.

Kennedy: Wait, don’t you dare throw that away; so many families are starving in our human population, it would be an insult to throw all of that food away.

Ashley: Uh okay, but this one plate of food will not help feed the world.

Kennedy: You're right, that’s because they can't even access it.

Alexis: No, also because this is one plate of food.

                                   

Kennedy: Alexis, don't you think we have enough food to support the U.S? We obviously do because you are able to throw that away [points to food] . But a family in Sierra Leone can't even get access to that because there is an unequal distribution of food supply happening. Over 1 billion people are suffering from chronic hunger, and it's due to poor food distribution.

Alexis: But why are we not able to feed these people if we do have the food resources? Besides, we don't live there - it isn't our problem.

Kennedy Well, Alexis, they are human beings, too and they deserve access to the same things we consume. It's their human right! 

Kennedy: Some of the reasons are because when people want to distribute food, they often don't know who is in charge, and the food ends up going to some villages where others around that area are not able to access it or purchase it.

Kennedy: At my school, GCE, we had a hunger banquet. This banquet showed us how our world population today is. They had the majority of people in lower class where people don’t have access to much, and very few in the  middle section, and lastly, high class, which was scarce. These seatings showed us our world today and how food is being distributed based on how much wealth you have. The lower class had the cheapest meal, which was rice and beans. This comes to show that whoever is in control of distributing food to the poorest people in the world finds the cheapest food possible, making sure that it has some protein in it to keep those people alive.

Alexis: Okay, I understand the banquet’s message, but I don't think people in developing countries only lack markets.

Kennedy: You're right. They also lack transportation. In their areas, there are not enough roads or railroads to transport them to get access to this food. Building these roads also cost money to build and to maintain, which often developing countries cannot afford.

Alexis: Are there any more reasons why these developing countries cannot access food?

Kennedy: Of course! Another major problem is the waste that occurs when food is being transported. Most of the food that is transported is perishable, meaning it can rot and spoil quickly. These foods also can get bacteria and spread diseases. It is estimated that 25-50% of food is wasted; because of all this wasted food, a shortage occurs causing the price to increase for consumers.

Alexis: Wow! That’s very interesting, but how about people who have access to food distribution?

Kennedy: Even people who have access to food cannot buy it because the costs are just too high. In the U.S, 58.8 percent of the U.S makes minimum wage. Although they may make ends meet, they don’t always have access to healthy food causing them to consume unhealthy fast food.

Kennedy: This lack of food can cause a great drop in our population when there isn't enough food to feed the people who need it.

Alexis: Wow, that’s a lot of information; is there any way I can contribute to this cause?

Kennedy: I'm glad you asked. You can donate or volunteer at Convoy of Hope. They help people around the world distributing medical help, food, water, and many other resources.

Alexis: Thank you! Next time, I’ll think twice about throwing food away.



Citations:
Inadequate Food Distribution Systems." Terrascope Websites. N.p., 8 Nov. 2010. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.

World Food Programme. (2009). World Hunger Series Hunger and Markets. Retrieved November 29, 2010, 

Convoy of Hope." Convoy of Hope Home Comments. N/a, n/a. Web. 27 Oct. 2014.

Who Is Your Hero?

For our final action project our class focused on heroes. Heroes are figures who others look up to. We had to pick two heroes, one fictional and one non-fiction. We also watched a movie that focused on heroes to give us more insight on what to write about. We then interviewed someone who we view as a hero in our lives, and transcribed the interview. This was to help us connect to what a hero truly means. We also had the option of making a comic strip of our fictional characters showing the 8 steps for a hero. The 8 steps are the steps a hero takes to become who he is, his call to action (what he must do) to save the world, how he does this, and in the end, his return. These steps help us define what a true hero is. Down below are both analyses of my two heroes.

My fictional hero is Gerry Lane from World War Z. Brad Pitt's character experiences multiple stages of the hero's journey, and that is why I picked him as my hero. In this movie, Gerry encounters a zombie attack, and is forced to help find the cure and cause of this outbreak. Gerry goes through several stages of the hero's journey trying to find the answers he needs, in order to save the world. Below is my slideshow explaining his heroic steps in the movie World War Z.



 My hero is my cousin, Aminat Odenewu. She works at a company called the Indo-American Center, a place where immigrants and refugees go in order to get free access to tutoring help, technology, and other resources. The Indo-American Center is for kids and adults. My cousin specifically worked with the kids helping them do their homework, plan activities, and adjust to their lives in America. My cousin says she enjoys working with these kids because she loves seeing kids being able to achieve their goals, and encouraging them, telling them it is possible to reach them. The relationship my nonfictional hero, and my fictional character both share is caring for others. They both enjoy helping people along their journeys, and that's what makes them similar. Down below is my interview with her, talking about her call to action - when she first got this job.

Me:Describe your call to adventure? How does this call define who you are before and who you were likely to become in the future?
Aminat: I like seeing kids succeed, it always makes me pleased when I see people achieve their goals. This job gave me a better understanding of an immigrant family from the knowledge I had before working here.

Me:Did you have a meteor or a guide in your life? What traits made them helpful.
Aminat: I didn't really have a mentor, I just saw different characteristics in people from my workplace and chose whether or not to use those actions, these actions made me progress in the position I am in.

Me: How did crossing the thresh hold, to going to your new world(job)feel like how did this transition happen? 
Aminat: Transitioning from adults to kids, having to be somewhat stricter and doing whats expected.This job was different because it had to do with helping kids rather than adult based jobs.

Me:What trials, challenges and temptations did you face in your ''unknown world''? Why are these challenges important?
Aminat: Having boundaries between clients, they are so open to me dealing with personal aspects of their lives, so when work is over I must separate myself, and let them know there is a level of professionalism that needs to be maintained.

Me:What brings you to despair, what is the ordeal you have experienced? 
Aminat: Seeing someone fail, or not succeed pushes me to want to help. By helping them I reassure them by letting them know it is possible to try and become better.

Me:How do you transition from despair to hope? What must 'die' within you the hero in order for a possibility to emerge? 
Aminat: Remembering what the main goal is. what you are trying to achieve. Perseverance is important.

Me:What truth's are you willing to face? What suffering must you take accountability for?
Aminat: Realizing, you don't always have the answers for everything. Also that it's okay to ask for help.

Me:what gifts do you share and how do we learn from them?
Aminat: Always being open to others, and being more selfless.