Food issues in Ghor

A woman collecting her food rations as part of the WFP/DoWA food for literacy project in Ghor

I've caught myself complaining quite a lot lately about the poor quality of the food I can access in Ghor. I was complaining mostly about the failure of my colleagues in HQ to send up the boxes of fruit and vegetables I had been promised. I love to feed my body well, to eat heathily and choose the freshest ingredients so that I can eat raw as much as possible.

In the Ghor market there are often only one or two vegetables available and even those are never fresh, having been transported over bad roads for days to reach our remote location.

While in the USA recently I visited a Whole Foods supermarket and that moment consituted the height of my culture shock on the trip. I stood in the middle of a deli section completely overwhelmed by the abundance and range of food available.

In Ghor I will go into town and come home thrilled if I found some home-made yoghurt or white cheese, so many people sold their livestock during the big drought two seasons ago that very few local families have dairy products to sell.

I am always happy when a colleague or friend comes back from their village because they bring me eggs. Eggs which the local communinty in that village almost certainly need more than I do but which constitute the basic form of protein in my diet.

I struggle to know what is ethical in this situation. I've heard of people living in these kind of remote posts who refuse to have food shipped in. I never heard a full explanation of their argument for this position so I may have missed an important point but my tendency is to the opposite. I'm happy to support the local shop-owners by buying tinned beans and pistachio nuts from him, but for fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and eggs I feel uncomfortable consuming the local supplies when I know there is already not enough to go around.

This feels like a question to which there is no entirely correct answer, whether I ship food in or buy from the very scant local market I am always going to be massively more privileged than anyone in the local community. On the one hand that is completely unjustifiable - there is no justification for me to have more, to enjoy more, than anyone else here. But on the other hand I want to maintain my health for the long term and this poor diet has had a noticeable impact on my immune system and my general well-being (skin, hair and nails are all showing signs of degradation).

I was overwhelmed with the easy access to good food that I enjoyed in my two week holiday in the States. Even here in Kabul, if you have the money you can get hold of pretty much anything you want (in Kabul I recently ate imported French cheese with a friend who had got it at one of the stores targetting the international workers in the city).

In Ghor we are still struggling to get in place the 14000 metric tonnes of food aid which it has been calculated will be required to get the population through the winter without too many casualties. The security problems on the southern ring road (which passes through Kandahar, Helmand and Farah) have been causing endless hold-ups and several serious losses.

In the face of that scale of suffering how can I possibly complain about not getting my box of fruit and vegetables this week? Or feel a pang of envy when I read about a dear friend's morning juice recipe, knowing how much good a juice like that will be doing her and what good it would do my tired innards as well.

One of the reasons for living a life which takes me into spaces like Ghor where I might never otherwise get to go - a life which brings me face to face with the true living situation of most people on our planet is exactly this - to remind me always that I did not earn the incredible privilege into which I was born. To remind me that we are all connected and that the suffering of staving families in Ghor is, whether we like it or not, connected to the over-stocked supermarkets in the West.

It is not an comfortable truth and not one that I like to wave in people's faces - for fear that I will simply induce guilt - an emotion I believe is unlikely to inspire productive response for change. But it is true and it makes me stop myself in my tracks when I start (again) to complain about the poor food available to me.

Still - it is fair enough for me to want to take care of my long term health and the serious negative physical impacts of life in Afghanistan (lung infections all over the place from the pollution and dust, loss of bone density due to the restrictions on all forms of walking and malnutrition from the poor food availability and quality) are also a good reason to go home after two years and take a healing, recuperative break.

Comments

[Chalaundrai Grant]

Frida, I have so much I want to say and nothing feels adequate. First, I am so glad that you are not turing your eyes away from the suffering. It is so easy to do. Yes, you are right it is connected to the overstocked stores in the west. I often think of this when I am shopping but I don't know what to do to change this situation. I also think about this when I go to bed at night, when I take a shower, or turn on the tap for my morning tea and yet I am not sure what to do about this. I really started thinking about this because as a woman of color I found that I was experiencing situations that my friends who were not visible minorities did not have to experience. As a matter of fact they were benefiting from my suffering and they never seem to stop and notice this. I am not saying that they should not accept these privileges but that I thought that they should acknowledge what was happening. I turned it around and asked myself what privileges do I have. I was born in the west and have always had a bed to sleep in, a shower. I have been hungry a few times in my life but not very often. I begin to realize that these things were not the norm. I try to be mindful and not take what I don't need. I also try and give what I can. I think that it is important that we are all as healthy as possible. It doesn't serve anyone if you are not getting the nourishment that you need. I know that this may be difficult. But please eat as well as you can so you can be the eyes and voice of those who are too often ignored. Thank-you for your words, and photographs they mean alot. I hope you do what you need to do and if that is going home for a recuperative break do that.

Peace,

Chalaundrai

[Chalaundrai Grant]

Frida, I have so much I want to say and nothing feels adequate. First, I am so glad that you are not turing your eyes away from the suffering. It is so easy to do. Yes, you are right it is connected to the overstocked stores in the west. I often think of this when I am shopping but I don't know what to do to change this situation. I also think about this when I go to bed at night, when I take a shower, or turn on the tap for my morning tea and yet I am not sure what to do about this. I really started thinking about this because as a woman of color I found that I was experiencing situations that my friends who were not visible minorities did not have to experience. As a matter of fact they were benefiting from my suffering and they never seem to stop and notice this. I am not saying that they should not accept these privileges but that I thought that they should acknowledge what was happening. I turned it around and asked myself what privileges do I have. I was born in the west and have always had a bed to sleep in, a shower. I have been hungry a few times in my life but not very often. I begin to realize that these things were not the norm. I try to be mindful and not take what I don't need. I also try and give what I can. I think that it is important that we are all as healthy as possible. It doesn't serve anyone if you are not getting the nourishment that you need. I know that this may be difficult. But please eat as well as you can so you can be the eyes and voice of those who are too often ignored. Thank-you for your words, and photographs they mean alot. I hope you do what you need to do and if that is going home for a recuperative break do that.

Peace,

Chalaundrai

[HiK]

I don't know, it's a hard decision. I have the same problem - but I dont' think denying myself is the right answer. Perhaps just appreciating what we have? I don't know.

[schmoops]

i believe all these experiences you are having are what has given you such an appreciation of what people in less privileged countries face on a daily basis and the (sometimes awful) reality of what is really going on. In places like America, we tend to take so much for granted. like being able to shop for a variety of foods at any time of the day. I remember complaining the other day how I wish there were a Whole Foods closer to my house so I wouldn't have to drive to far. Then I read about you and your current experience and it just really makes me want to hug and kiss everything I have and take more inventory of what I am grateful for and driving further to a Whole Foods is no longer a hassle. I will always think of you when I start to complain about these little things. I am grateful that you are sharing these experiences and I can't even begin to imagine what you must feel at times, but I do hope you are able to take a nice recuperative, healing break soon and refuel. If I could send you a box of fresh produce, I would in a heartbeat. please take care, angel. xoxo

[Chalaundrai Grant]

p.s. I wish I could send you a box of fresh produce as well.

[AnnieElf]

Food for thought, Frida. The bootie box may become more than booties. That being said, you are free to do as you like with these things when they arrive. Love, Annie

[ceanandjen]

This is a difficult position to be in, but I do agree with the other wonderful commenters who have basically said that not nourishing yourself to the best of your abilities will not serve you or anyone who you are there working tirelessly to assist. Already, you are not living in the privilage that you speak of; yes, you have a roof over your head and you do have *some* protection; however, you are living amongst these beautiful people and you are not only witnessing, but trying to affect their plight. You are also giving them a voice that they otherwise would not have.

Do they deserve any less than you? Oh goodness no, and I know that if I was in your situation, I would question everything just the way that you do. As always, your kind heart and your wise thoughts are ever present.

I wish you peace, love and nourishment as you enter these final weeks of your time in Ghor. xoxoxo

[Peter]

Hmmm... What privileges us to eat better food than those we serve? What privileges us to be able to pay a ticket and fly out of there, while those we serve are locked onto the same spot and plight for the rest of their lifes? What privileges us to be able to sleep in a better house, drive a better house, have a better health than those we serve?

If we are not healthy and happy, we can not help the others. As long as we realize how privileged we are! And can remind all of friends 'back home' how privileged they are!

I do agree though with what you say: If all expatriate aidworkers buy from some of the scarse resources available on the local market, the prices will go up, and those who normally would be able to afford it, won't anymore. Fly it in!

P.

[sassy]

Wow Frida. You are MY hero this week.

[maddie]

fly it in ~ and take care of yourself so that you can help and
take care of everyone else ~ I so wish I could send you
fruit and vegetables ~ am I able to send you dried fruit and nuts etc
by chance?

[Paris Parfait]

Living in Europe and being privileged to have an abundant supply of fresh fruits and vegetables, I am always astonished when I go to the US and see the enormous choices everywhere - 37 kinds of cereals, etc. - but very few fresh fruits and vegetables, unless one goes to a market specialising in this, such as Whole Foods. Way too many processed foods are prevalent and even with all the choice, people don't necessarily eat healthily. I know what it is to be in an area where there is very little choice and it is difficult to maintain one's health and keep your strength up - which of course, is key, to manage the physical and emotional toil of working under difficult circumstances for all concerned. The imbalance in the world bothers me a lot; most people who are spoiled for choice don't realise how privileged they are. The idea of hunger and poverty is an abstract notion for them; they see it on television, but it's not until they travel to a region where they personally are affected by the lack of choice that they pay attention. And there are areas in the US that are severely affected by poverty and poor nutrition. Sadly, this problem is not limited to Afghanistan. I know you're doing the best you can under the circumstances to take care of yourself. Thanks for writing this post so that we all understand more about the challenges of living in Afghanistan these days. Stay strong and look after yourself, so that you can look after others. xoxox

[Delia]

I have read this post twice now...after the first time, I stood in my local grocery store and thought of what you wrote here. Thank you for the inspiration to slow down, pay attention, and think.
Love,
D.

[Diana]

Please take care of yourself. If your health gets ruined, it will take a long time to recover, if ever. You are in an unique position to help there and you have gone through things that not many would tolerate. Come home for a sabatical if you need. Fly your food in. Do what you have to. Giving up your life to destruction physically or mentally will not help anyone. No one has control over how they are placed into this world. You are doing more than anyone I know to help others. Be kind to yourself and do what you have to to remain well and at peak performance for what you do.

[crazymumma]

We take our plentitude so for granted. When I travel, or more truthfully WHEN I travelled, I was always surprised by what seemed like a lack of food, a lack of choice. It took a long time for me to understand that worldwide, the reality of less is much more real than our ridiculous overabundance.

It would be hard not to feel guilty about an egg. But you need to take care of yourself. Whichever way it comes.

[Heather]

I wanted to comment, but I found that all the previous commenters said exactly what I wanted to say!

I will add that after two years living in rural China, I was also completely overwhelmed by US supermarkets. Even the comparatively smaller markets in my husband's Spanish hometown astonished us.

What makes me the most sad is that my mother told me she recently cleaned out her pantry/fridge and had to throw away hundreds of dollars worth of expired and spoiled food. (It was too old for donation.) What a horrible waste.

We take so much for granted in the developed world.

[Swirly]

I am sure I would have similar struggles as you do in the same situation, but at the end of the day you do not do yourself or anyone else any good by depriving yourself. The healthier you are and the better you are able to take care of yourself, the more you have to offer to the communities you serve. When you are fulfilled - in whatever form that may take - you have that much more to give to those around you.

[michelle]

wow. after finishing this post i knew i wanted to comment but didn't have a clue what to say other than i need a reminder like this every once in awhile. it holds me accountable for being a good steward of what i do have and to make certain i am doing something to aid those around the world i am connected to whose situation is not like mine.

[jen lemen]

it is all connected.
and there is no judgment and no such thing as fair, don't you think? who can decide without slightly the other?

i hope you will get your box and that you will experience the joy of having it as well as the joy of sharing it with someone who might not have had anything quite so nice if your box had not come.
in the end it is only what is in front of you, right? this moment and how fully you can live into it, no matter what comes (or doesn't come) your way.

sitting in silence for you tonight, lighting a candle, hoping this still moment is connected to a tiny bit of peace in yours.

hang in there. i hope so much that nothing will be wasted in what is happening right now, even though everything feels crazy and senseless.

[ip]

This dilemma can be heaved around by considering honestly and deeply your own personal impact on and responsibility for the people around you in Ghor, or at the wider levels of whatever accounts for progress in 'stan these days.

If in your clearest moments you think your presence there has no or only marginal benefit, then do something else with your life or you'll drive yourself into an early grave handwringing about issues like this. Be honest with yourself: if you think you're delivering, and that what flows from your privilege (good education, knowledge, perspective) has a benefit that outweighs mawkishness about it, then don't sweat the UN flying your a box of veggies in.

I feel this is a complex problem faced by many people in the ever-profesionalising human rights sector: the difference between concern and involvement, work and activism. When you don't really have a stake in a place, or can just walk away without consequence other than embarrasment, can we really say that we have integrity?

Yours, i.p

[Laini Taylor]

Frida, I don't know what to say. This post just reminds me how much I -- so many of us -- live in a constant state of "Whole Foods" and how much we take for granted. Take care of yourself and your health to the best of your ability -- how can you take care of others if you are not well? I hope the food arrives in Ghor safely. I see from Annie's comment above she may be doing another drive? I will look on her blog and see if she mentions it. Blessings.