Helping Children Thrive in West Africa

Convoy of Hope is responding to the hunger crisis ravaging Africa. It is the greatest hunger crisis the world has seen in more than 50 years. This reality constantly creates a sense of urgency.

This humanitarian disaster is deeply impacting our part of West Africa. We see acute malnutrition and lots of stunted growth among children. A child who is 7 or 8 years old will appear to be only 5 or 6. We see an increase in mortality rates. And many children are not attending school.

I see another phenomenon that is too sad, too heartbreaking, and yet real. All those who follow the news know that West Africa is in the midst of a longstanding war with extremists. Now and again, you will see reports of the military arresting terrorists, whether in the news or on social media. Every time I see a photograph of captured militants, I notice the same thing — they are dressed very poorly and are clearly malnourished.

To me, this is clear evidence that the hunger crisis is driving young people to join extremist groups in desperation. They are poor and hungry, and they are being recruited with promises of money, food, and provisions. Those promises are empty. And once these young people are caught up in the conflict, there is no going back.

Our region’s lack of sufficient food does not only affect the health of individuals and the livelihood of families. It affects the stability and safety of communities and the future of nations.

But there is also good news.

In 2019, we started Convoy of Hope in the part of West Africa where I live. I never dreamed we would be where we are today. We started with a plan to feed 4,000 children for five years. Five years later, we are feeding 18,000 children and will reach 20,000 children by 2025.

An exciting part of this equation is the 450 farmers who are working with Convoy of Hope. That represents about 1,200 acres — nearly 2 square miles — of farmland that is growing food we use to feed children.

This is just the beginning. We currently have 100 schools applying to join our program. That represents about 30,000 children. This means, once we have the capacity to bring those additional schools online, we will be feeding about 50,000 children every school day.

For me, a powerful truth that is driving this growth is found in Mark 10:13-16 — it’s the very familiar story of Jesus inviting children to draw near to Him. In the life and ministry of Jesus, He saw and responded to the value of children.

For this reason, Convoy of Hope also emphasizes the importance of children. Every time I stand in front of a child, I do not see just a child — I see a human being with the full potential to do and to be what God wants him or her to do and to be.

When you look at a child, you could be looking at a future prime minister or president. A future general secretary of the United Nations. A future scientist who will discover a cure for cancer. Or a future parent who will raise children that no longer need to be part of a feeding program as the cycle of poverty ends in their family line. When you come alongside Convoy of Hope and the work it is doing among children around the world, you are building the future.

My prayer is that all of us will recognize the value God sees in each child, and that we will recognise and act upon that value ourselves.