Children’s Right to FOOD
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (Jn 6:51)
If we look closely at the rights of children, we will see that one of these rights is the right to food. The Convention on the Rights of the Child presents us with a whole catalogue of elements that we must take into consideration when we refer to children, and how to adapt to their reality.
As Marists of Champagnat, we unite ourselves to these principles which, as citizens of the world, are proposed to us. And not only do we unite with them, but we want to make them a reality, inspired by Christian and Marist values.
When the United Nations speaks of children, it refers to those who have not reached the age of eighteen. We Marists include in these considerations other vulnerable people in our societies. Moreover, even though we are not a participating State, directly represented at the UN, we want to be involved in the accomplishment of universally recognized rights, within the framework of our concrete realities and at the institutional level. Together with the States, we also commit ourselves to respecting “the rights set out… and their application to each child” entrusted to us in our educational works. We also make sure that we take “all necessary means to guarantee that the child is truly protected” always, everywhere and in all situations. We want to continue to listen to “the cry of children and young people, especially those who are voiceless and homeless” (XXII General Chapter).
We are aware that our commitment to the transformation of the world is more relevant than ever. Inadequate nutrition is a reality for millions of boys and girls. Marists are present in many settings, offering better nutrition to children and young people. It is enough to know or to visit some of these places to realize the great work that is already being done. Can we continue to be a significant presence for those in need? We all know the answer! Yes, we can, and we must be faithful to the charism entrusted to us by Marcellin. Yes, we can and must continue to work for those who are most vulnerable. Yes, we can and must continue to develop initiatives that respond to the needs, including food, of children and young people in our communities.
In his circular Homes of Light, Brother Ernesto makes a good reference to the communities. He invites us to be “truly homes of light that care for life and generate new life”. And he invites us to take the means to achieve this, so that our communities (we could see a broader meaning, like our educational communities) are an environment where we can respond to the spiritual, but also material needs of those who are our reason for being, those who are at the heart of our mission: children and young people.
Yes! Our mission as Christian educators implies contributing to a suitable and appropriate diet for all the boys and girls who attend our works. In addition, following the wishes of our founder, we also want to ensure the “spiritual nourishment” of each one. Convinced that Jesus, the Christ, is “the living bread that came down from heaven”, we continue, through our commitment, to “make Jesus Christ known and loved”, as Marcellin asks all of us Marists.
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Br. Ángel Diego Garcia Otaola – Director of the Secretariat of Solidarity