Bangladeshi agriculturalist stirred by Canadian farmers' donations

Mennonite Central Committee
Friday, 4 May 2001

AKRON, Pa. -- After visiting farms, homes, schools and churches in three Canadian provinces, M. Shafiul Alam says, "I must share in Bangladesh how Canadian people are excited to help others." Alam works with Mennonite Central Committee's (MCC) agriculture program in Bangladesh, and made the two-week visit in April to learn more about MCC and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB).

Bangladesh received more than 6,000 metric tons of CFGB wheat following severe floods in 1998. Alam met with farmers in Manitoba, Ontario and Alberta who donate grain to the CFGB, which then ships the grain to countries that need food on behalf of MCC Canada and 11 other member sponsors.

"Now I better understand the system of getting those foodgrains to Bangladesh, and I also understand how much effort it takes," says Alam, who was surprised to learn the farmers donate their time and labor each year to CFGB.

Visits to MCC material resources centers, Ten Thousand Villages stores and thrift stores also added to his understanding.

"I saw how volunteers work and care for others they have never seen," he says. "It was really an eye-opener."

Alam spoke to school and church groups about life in Bangladesh. He fielded questions about food, hunger, population and politics.

Although some in his audience weren't sure where Bangladesh lies geographically, most associate the country with floods.

It's true, Alam told them. "Every year people's lives are vulnerable to flooding." Bangladesh's heavy seasonal rains and teeming rivers are a fact of life in much of rural Bangladesh. Families who walk to the market in January need a boat just to reach their neighbors in July. The rains are necessary for growing rice and other staple foods.

But the 1998 flood was far worse than most. Homes, schools and roads were completely destroyed. Alam and his MCC Bangladesh co-workers received 6,700 metric tons of CFGB wheat, along with other emergency aid, through MCC.

Families received the wheat as payment in food-for-work projects that helped them rebuild.

"I was able to explain [in Canada] how we used the donated wheat to raise homes and school grounds above flood level; build roads, taking care not to create flood hazards; and build emergency shelters for families and farm animals," says Alam.

In Domain, Man., a grade-two boy asked whether any food-for-work projects raised soccer fields so children can play during flood season. Yes, replied Alam, they play soccer on the school grounds, which are built above flood level.

Included in Alam's tour, sponsored by the CFGB's People to People program, were visits to an Amish farm and a Hutterite colony. These helped broaden his view of Western culture and lifestyles, he says.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org