IF ONE POEM CAN BIRTH COMPASSION: 190 POEMS FOR ZERO HUNGER IN NIGERIA

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) outlines the fundamental right to adequate food and a standard of living.

It guarantees that everyone has access to food that is available, accessible, and nutritionally adequate. Yet, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly three (3) million children die from hunger and malnutrition annually.

Food is necessary, paramount, essential (employ whatever adjective you may muster), to stay alive and to think well. Without food, there will be no creativity, innovation or leaders of tomorrow.

As one of the contributors puts it: “A full plate lights the dreamer's way, Let hunger never steal his day.” @_estherusman

This anthology is a compilation of a diverse array of voices from around the world (especially Nigeria). Borne simply from the habitual Monthly Poetry Contest organised by Yemipoet, under the YACSO FOUNDATION. It was merely an Instagram challenge for poets.

These poets refuse to let that statistic go unanswered.

From the child whose “ribs count the hours” to the mother who “breaks her bread in two” from the rage against hoarded power to the quiet resilience of sharing “half my only bread”, each poem confronts hunger in its many faces in terms of inflation, waste, leadership failure, silence, and hope.

These raw 190 poems are written, not to ask for ‘likes’. They ask for bread. They ask for justice. They ask for a world where no child sleeps with an empty plate.

This anthology is not just a body of poetry; it is a clarion call to action. Read, share and let it move you to act.

“If one poem can birth compassion, let these lines serve as crumbs that lead hearts to bread.” @tolu.wani_ola

Relax. Enjoy!

NOTE: THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR SALE!