Laois pensioner fasting for famine victims in Horn of Africa

A Laois pensioner is preparing to fast for 24 hours, to raise money for the millions who are facing death from climate induced famine in the Horn of Africa.

Retired teacher Alice Culliton has returned to live in her childhood home of Mountmellick. In the past she has worked as an aid volunteer in Africa and she remains a committed fundraiser for aid missions.

Alice is taking part in the Concern Worldwide fast on Saturday, November 26, abstaining from food for 24 hours.

The money she raises will go to aid starving people in the three countries in the Horn of Africa, where rains have failed to fall for the fifth year resulting in severe famine.

It is estimated that a person is now dying of hunger every 48 seconds across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, with 5.7 million children facing starvation.

"I am asking people to sponsor me to help Concern Worldwide scale up its response to provide increased support to millions of people in the Horn of Africa who are facing severe hunger as a result of the worst drought in 40 years.

"This strikes a chord with me as I worked for a time in Ethiopia four decades ago. I worked in the feeding camp at Harbo from November 1984-1985. I know first-hand the hardship and devastating impact this level of food insecurity can have for the millions of people across the Horn of Africa," Alice told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.

She explains why she is still driven to help all she can.

"It's a deep conviction about the needs and first hand experience from my over 20 yrs in Concern, working with the world's poorest people in different countries from 1977 to 1999. Having been among people who have so little, leaves an indelible mark.

"But I'm not alone. Others have been overseas volunteers, such as Mary (Kelly) Byrne, originally from Portlaoise and Volunteers at home fundraising such as the Portlaoise group, headed by Helen Corbett & Sheila Duff since 1974, and Anna and John Reddin of the Mountmellick group,  The generosity of the local communities and businesses contributes much needed support in Concern's ongoing lifesaving work," she said.

She outlines the current difficulties.

"While knowing these are such difficult times here, it remains an awful harsh reality for those suffering in famine conditions. Forty yrs ago I went to work in famine stricken areas of Ethiopia. The conditions now are even more extreme, exasperated by the food shortages caused by conflicts and the war in the Ukraine, and the worsening disastrous effects of climate change.

"The world's poorest people in desperation for survival are driven from their homes in their search for food. So many become ill, emaciated and die in that search," Alice said.

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She believes that awareness of African poverty has fallen in Ireland.

"Years ago, So many overseas volunteers from Ireland led to an intimate connection and awareness in their home communities with the conditions of their location and work. On return home they'd share this experience in community meetings, parishes, & schools. People listened with great interest and concern. That's a big gap now and difficult to fill," Alice said.

To donate to her campaign which has raised over €800 so far, see https://fundraise.concern.net/alice-culliton

Alice will also be holding a collection at SuperValu Mountmellick on the day of her fast, Saturday, November 26.