Fighting Famine
November 10th, 2011“Hunger is the worst enemy you can have,” says Abdi Ali ’13.
This summer Abdi Ali, was interning at Mass General Hospital in Boston when he heard about the famine that has engulfed the Horn of Africa including his birthplace, Somalia. Ali knows first hand about the trials of hunger and the special circumstances that render Somalia particularly vulnerable to this menace. And so, in typical Ali fashion, he decided to do something about it.
“Here in the United States, we know that a meal is secured for us no matter what – but there are children out there who don’t have an ensured meal.” So Ali skipped breakfasts and lunches and sent the money to the World Food Program—a group whose integrity and effectiveness he attests to.
But pretty quickly Ali realized that he needed to do something more. “We are the voice for those who suffer,” he said. So he began reaching out to other Denisonians—Lauren Tyger ’14 had read Ali’s facebook posts about the famine and called to offer her help. He contacted Prof. Anita Waters, whose research connects her to the Somali population in Columbus, and asked her to join him a humanitarian effort to help raise awareness and funds for famine victims. Then he assembled more Denisonians—Emily Bucher ’12, Jenni Reyes ’15, Melanie Stolp ’13, Haley Hudler ’13, Marissa Lease ’13, members of staff Mark Anthony Arceno, Laurie MacKenzie-Crane, and Professor Lyn Robertson. Together they decided to hold a benefit concert.
“The Concert for Somalia” will take place at 7 p.m., tonight at Swasey. If you come you’ll see lots of a cappella singing by DUWop, Hilltoppers, Tehillah, and Granville High School Choir group. You’ll also bask in the sounds of the Bluegrass Ensemble and Seed City. Donations are accepted, but not required, because Ali thinks it’s important for people to give because they want to—not because they have to.
“This famine is a wake-up call for all of us, to renew our faith and hope for Somalia,” says Ali. “This shouldn’t be happening in the 21st century.”
—Ginny Sharkey ’83
