Day: December 18, 2014

A knock at the door. Time stood still as they took a moment to understand what just happened. This ‘knock’ was a sign of change, a change which wasn’t welcome. A knock meant so much more here on the island than anywhere else, the majestic peace had been disrupted. Harry felt as if he was choking on air, he had been so free and alive until this one point but now he felt as if his heart was in his mouth. They were on the island, for the sole purpose of being alone. They had wanted to get away from the war and chaos that had been consuming their lives. Now after all this time, twelve years in fact they were not. They needed to process their defeat. After all, someone was there with them and may have been with them the whole time.

Lily would remember this day for the rest of her life. Harry and Lily hadn’t even heard the sound of another being breathing since they stepped foot on their island twelve years ago. War had been inevitable but the confusion and turmoil wasn’t. So to get away Lily and Harry wanted something different, somewhere different, that was the island. From the day they arrived they believed Tiprus would be their haven of peace forevermore. But this single sound had changed all of that. This noise made it feel like the beginning of the end. The beginning of chaos and frustration all over again. They had finally felt like it was really their home and somewhere where they could rebuild their lives after having experienced the devastation that the war had caused. But now all of that peace and all of that hope which they held so dear had been snatched before their eyes in an instant. Simply, they were unable to comprehend how they lives had just been obliterated.

Time had become obsolete. It was becoming a factor here, perhaps the person outside was becoming as frustrated as they were. This knock continued to change their lives, not just by disturbing the peace but by disturbing all that they held dear. The lovers stood frozen in silence for what seemed like an eternity with their minds filled with an apprehension for the future that neither of them thought they would ever have to experience again. The waves of Tiprus, sounded a million times louder now. Harry in particular couldn’t properly take in the fact that their island with all of it’s beauty and magnificence was no longer their own. The fighting and madness they had left behind had found a way to creep back into their lives with the will to destroy any hope and clarity they had.

They did not move. They could not. Anxiety and fear was all they could feel. After all, both of them knew that no matter what stood behind that door the beautiful lives they had created for themselves was about to end. There was no way it could continue, an impossible feeling of despair overcame them just like before. Time continued to fly by and eventually Harry rose up to this impossible task.

Harry after quite some time, realised what had to be done. And if not for him but for the sake of his wife and their unborn child. Their child deserved so much more than the small fraction of happiness they had had. But to do that they had to face this obstacle upon the way. So whatever happened when the door was opened it had to be made sure that their baby was not affected. Harry understood all of this and so finally he did it. He opened the door.

In front of him stood the emaciated figure of a man with a crazed look in his wild eyes. The sight and idea of another being there with them on the island was simply bewildering.  Harry however couldn’t focus on him instead all he saw were the smoke and ashes coming out from the volcano behind the man. He felt that trying and trying to come out of a nightmare which he could not waken from would be of some comfort. Lily was different, she could not help but stare at this strange man who regardless of his intentions was about completely change their lives.

A silence lingered in the room which was only interrupted only by the occasional sound of waves crashing on the beach. Their lives had been disrupted most probably for the worst but Harry thought to look for the future. Maybe not all people were as evil as he had been, the alleged leader who didn’t rest until all was in despair. After a while they realised it may not be so bad. There was hope. They were vulnerable and scared but maybe there wasn’t anything to fear, especially from a man who appeared to be just as scared and vulnerable as they were.

For the first time in human history, the obese outnumber the malnourished. Worldwide there are 925 million victims of malnourishment. However, an even greater number are obese, at an estimated 1.5 billion people globally. How grotesque is it that people are starving to death but others not far away are dying from being too fat?

At first glance malnourishment which has been the reality of human life for so long, seems to be a problem completely opposite to that of obesity. Something that has only been a significant public health concern for the last 30 years. As you shall see both obesity and malnourishment occur due to poverty. That is why I speak here today to tell you that such nonsense cannot stand as it is a disgrace to our predecessors to fall because of frankly speaking, stupid problems.

I am sure you will agree that poverty harms us all,  so poverty is a problem worth solving. Here I’d like to explain the detrimental effects of poverty. Being below the poverty line causes the inability to feed oneself (particularly in developing countries). Or at least in developed nations, only unhealthy foods will be available at such low prices and thus obesity happens. Therefore, reducing poverty will reduce malnourishment and obesity. So, what I want to say is that I can fix both problems. The problems being, obesity arising in developed nations and malnutrition in developing nations. Both solutions are based on the influx of money in a structured way. If they’re not accepted then I guarantee a catastrophe is on its way.  All I can do is hope that you will take my solutions and find the will to fix this incoming disaster.

My first solution combats the problem of mass obesity which usually occurs in developed countries. The solution is so simple but we continue to ignore it most likely due to the fact that we are a bit too comfortable with our luxurious and rich lifestyles. But I am telling you, your extravagant ‘lifestyles’ will be the not just the death of you but of us all. This solution is raising the national minimum wage. People with more disposable income can purchase healthier goods, and not be tied to fatty and rich foods instead allowing them to afford more nutritional food. Thus healthier food leads to a healthier diet, and less obesity all round. And so whatever position you and I may be in, it is vital that we fight against this disease, which is happening in front of our eyes and in our own homes. It’s cruel for such a preventable problem to continue so I am forced to ask you, do you think it is right not to adopt this easy solution?

My other solution aims to reduce poverty and inherently malnourishment in developing countries. Here people are starving to death because again there isn’t enough money around. The ignorant West continues to ignore this issue with no end in sight. It is unfortunate that the majority are just too lazy to do anything about it. My solution is for NGOs and banks to lend micro loans to those in rural areas such as farmers, with low-interest rates. This will increase their productivity. Then they can sell more to neighbours thus gaining more. So a farmer has larger stock which he (and these ‘neighbours’) can feed off of and a receive a larger income from increased sales. This structured way will make sure there isn’t even a problem of malnourishment to begin with. You may think this is ‘ridiculous’ or ‘impractical’ but how would you know if no one has bothered to try? Did you know that nothing is being done even though all economists already know of this easy fix? But now you’re also aware so if the problem continues then we know who to blame.

In conclusion, if  we execute these simple solutions then the problem would be eliminated.That is poverty leading to obesity and malnourishment. We have sadly, reached a point in civilisation where we are forced to ask ourselves who we are but more importantly who we want to be? So I sincerely request now, that if you like me take a step to change how poverty affects people then there may no poverty at all.