Abdou Adamou is an 80-year-old farmer from Tondikiwindi in Niger. He has 12 children and 10 grandchildren. He spoke to Islamic Relief after an emergency food distribution in June.
“I wake very early, like every Muslim, to pray. After my prayers I go to the farm and come back later in the afternoon. I usually make and sell cords used to tie animals.
Hunger without Harvest
My family and I are all suffering from the famine. I have not harvested at all. Today we rely on hanza (wild grains) and hausou (leaves). We have nothing else to survive on - there is no food, no property and no livestock.
My life was wonderful before the drought, There was enough food and livestock. There was also solidarity. Today we are hungry, and I am like a ‘living dead person’.
I have been sick for two years now. I can’t afford medical treatment. Thank God, I have relatives who helped me to go to Zinder for treatment (over 900 miles away), otherwise I would have died.
“Someone who is hungry has no dignity. I am losing faith, which is dangerous for a Muslim.”
Food Aid
My family is well at the moment, but if the famine continues my family and I will die. I have nothing to do other than die. I am very pessimistic. I am desperate. I only see death.
Someone who is hungry has no dignity. I am losing faith, which is dangerous for a Muslim.
The food distribution has covered the whole village. We all received the food and that day there was a feast. All the families prepared food. There was light everywhere in the village, and there was joy!
Dark Future
If you look at the current situation, there will be no future because there is not much of a present. I wonder how our children will be one day. I can only see death
May God bless Islamic Relief and the other donors. May He give them good health and long life to help us.
We need plenty of food because the famine is a long process. They should not stop the aid distribution.”