Who: Any Canadian adult with an interest in hunger and food security can apply. Participants will be selected by application. People who already support the Foodgrains Bank are encouraged to apply.
When: beginning last week of January 2014 (16-18 days)
Cost: $5800-6200 per person (estimated).
Click here to download an application form.
Topics/themes:
- food security and causes of hunger in West Africa
- Sahel region challenges
- impacts of climate change on food security
Partners/Members to be involved (not yet confirmed):
Sierra Leone (approximately 6-8 days)
- Evangelical Fellowship of Sierra Leone (EFSL) – increasing food security by promoting crop diversification (#2124-31); partner of World Relief Canada
- Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) – improving food security by supporting farmers’ productivity (#2290-21/22); partner of Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace;
Burkina Faso (approximately 6-8 days)
- Caritas Burkina Faso (OCADES) – Food distribution follow-up (#2445-11); partner of Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace;
- Office of Development for the Evangelical Churches – Food Security and Nutrition in Nayala (#2516-11); partner of Mennonite Central Committee (to be confirmed)
What to expect: Food study tours have three goals:
- Building mutual support between Canadians and people in the communities where responses to hunger take place;
- Gaining an appreciation for the nature and impact of Foodgrains Bank member programming; and
- Learning about the root causes of hunger.
We accomplish these goals by hearing from and talking with community leaders and project participants, observing the activities that promote greater food security, at least one home stay visit with a local family (two or three nights in homes often with limited amenities) in the project communities, and by including relevant site visits with local agencies directly involved in food security. A more detailed itinerary is still being developed.
Please note:
Our aim is to have around 10 participants on the study tour. Applicants are reviewed on an individual basis. Participants are expected to do preparatory readings and to share about their experiences upon returning, as well as to participate in other Foodgrains Bank engagement activities in their home communities. The general expectation is that participants give up to five presentations after returning home. Financial assistance may be available through consultation with Canadian Foodgrains Bank member agencies. Assistance is assessed on an individual basis.
Top photo: Burkina Faso landscape.
Middle photo: Residents gather in a Burkina Faso village.
Bottom photo: Young woman in Sierra Leone pounding palm kernel, a food and cash crop.