Where There Is No Doctor 2011 115
WAYS OF EATING BETTER WHEN YOU
DO NOT HAVE MUCH MONEY OR LAND
There are many reasons for hunger and poor nutrition. One main reason is
poverty. In many parts of the world a few people own most of the wealth and the
land. They may grow crops like coffee or tobacco, which they sell to make money,
but which have no food value. Or the poor may farm small plots of borrowed land,
while the owners take a big share of the harvest. The problem of hunger and poor
nutrition will never be completely solved until people learn to share with each
other fairly.
But there are many things people can do to eat better at low cost—and by eating
well gain strength to stand up for their rights. On pages w13 and w14 of “Words to
the Village Health Worker” are several suggestions for increasing food production.
These include improved use of land through rotating crops, contour ditches, and
irrigation; also ideas for breeding fish, beekeeping, grain storage, and family
gardens. If the whole village or a group of families works together on some of these
things, a lot can be done to improve nutrition.
When considering the question of food and land, it is important to remember that
a given amount of land can feed only a certain number of persons. For this reason,
some people argue that ‘the small family lives better’. However, for many poor
families, to have many children is an economic necessity. By the time they are 10 or
12 years old, children of poor families often produce more than they cost. Having a
lot of children increases the chance that parents will receive the help and care they
need in old age.
In short, lack of social and economic security creates the need for parents
to have many children. Therefore, the answer to gaining a balance between
people and land does not lie in telling poor people to have small families. It lies
in redistributing the land more fairly, paying fair wages, and taking other steps to
overcome poverty. Only then can people afford small families and hope to achieve
a lasting balance between people and land. (For a discussion of health, food, and
social problems, see Helping Health Workers Learn.)
When money is limited, it is important to use it wisely. This means cooperation
and looking ahead. Too often the father of a poor family will spend the little bit of
money he has on alcohol and tobacco rather than on buying nutritious food, a hen to
lay eggs, or something to improve the family’s health. Men who drink together would
do well to get together sometime when they are sober, to discuss these problems
and look for a healthy solution.
Also, some parents buy sweets or soft drinks (fizzy drinks) for their children when
they could spend the same money buying eggs, milk, nuts or other nutritious foods.
This way their children could become more healthy for the same amount of money.
Discuss this with the families and look for solutions.
IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE MONEY
AND WANT TO HELP YOUR CHILD GROW STRONG:
DO NOT BUY HIM A SOFT DRINK OR SWEETS—
BUY HIM 2 EGGS OR A HANDFUL OF NUTS.