Food wastage is a global universal problem in an era where some families and individuals also find it difficult to have 3 square meals a day.
With the passion of putting smiles on the face of the less privileged, Ghanaian entrepreneur, Debra-Jane Nelson started the ‘Zero Hunger Ghana’ charity to meet the needs of the less privileged in her community.
The Managing Director (MD) of Think Mahogany Events Consultancy who is particular about food wastage could not understand why most food went to waste after events she coordinated and decided to start the ‘Zero Hunger Ghana’ charity.
“After events, I noticed that whenever the waiters, vendors and everyone had eaten, there was still excess food available. So I asked myself why not feed those on the streets and the less privileged who were yet to have a meal”.
With this idea dropping into her soul, Debra at one of her event’s spoke to her client and the caterer she used for the event about her plan and they both agreed she could give away the excess food to support her cause. “I immediately went to buy some packs and gave the food to the street kids”.
She noted after starting the ‘Zero Hunger Ghana’ project with this initial step, she has received immense support from friends and family which she is appreciative of.
Speaking in an interview on Y107.9FM’s Y Leaderboard Series, Debra-Jane Nelson shared that she started receiving support from her friends when she advised them to contribute to her cause with money they would have otherwise used for their birthday bashes. “So instead of they (friends) organizing birthday parties, they would rather give me the money so we cook and give to the less privileged”.
The Zero Hunger Ghana project has now grown from the free distribution of food to include the provision of sustainable sources of food. Through the initiative, Debra has funded an organic farm for the HopeSetters autism center in Tema.
“Each child has her or his own bed that they’re responsible for, and tending the bed also serves as an activity for them. This also help them to feed themselves as kids living with autism need to strictly eat organic foods”.
Debra derives a lot of satisfaction from being able to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged and making their lives better.
