I tried to ship food to Africa... (tourists, travel, train)

[Gretchen570]

I tried to ship food to Africa, the post master told me that he felt for me and that he truly knew what I was trying to do..but that it just won't work.
Why?! I said.
He explained to me that there is just not a way to get it to those regions without it being intercepted , usually by pirates and other criminals.
He also told me that others have attempted to do this as well and that they also had to be told the same.
I am so saddened by the fact that we cannot send something to someone who really needs it.
Is there anyone out there with a solution?!
Thank you!

[sailordave]

Only solution is a full scale invasion of most of Africa. Many of these groups are supported by the individual nation's government. They commit horrible acts with the government's blessing and the government can sit back at the UN and say these men aren't their nation's troops. My dad was sent to one African nation to train oilfield workers. The government stole his passport and visa. He knows it was the government because the government official said if my dad gave him $100 American dollars he would find his passport and visa. My dad gave him the money and the government official handed over the passport and visa. The African continent is rich in natural resources and should be an economic powerhouse. Instead it is the most corrupt and vile place on earth.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by Gretchen570

I tried to ship food to Africa, the post master told me that he felt for me and that he truly knew what I was trying to do..but that it just won't work.
Why?! I said.
He explained to me that there is just not a way to get it to those regions without it being intercepted , usually by pirates and other criminals.
He also told me that others have attempted to do this as well and that they also had to be told the same.
I am so saddened by the fact that we cannot send something to someone who really needs it.
Is there anyone out there with a solution?!
Thank you!

Frankly, it's a depressing situation. Additionally, todays aid can even help to support populations and population growth beyond the lands ability to provide so some types of aid can actually push off the problem until later.

The best advice I can give you is that if you want to EFFICIENTLY and HUMANELY help people in Africa....research charities that help there. (American Harvester, CROP, I think those are two...top of my head.)
Groups like this will be far more expert in getting the right aid into the right hands.

Almost all of the starvation issues in Africa are due to politics (selling food while you let the rival tribe starve), incompetance (Zimbabwe giving farms to cronies), gross overpopulation etc. etc.

Please think long term fix, not short term band-aid and do your homework.

You have a good heart. Best wishes.

[zacatecana]

If you do not have the right connections it will not work. I work closely with an organization to send shoes for children in Africa but the people that I work with travel to the point of destination to receive the package prior to it's arrival. They make sure the shipment is transported to the warehouse and they do the delivery themselves to the children in the most rough neighborhoods where tourists are not allowed or not encouraged to go. It is a tough call because if you dont know the right people your package may never get to the ones that need it the most.

[scobby]

Why sending food to Africa ? What kind of food ? africans are really starving ?
i don't think it's a good idea but if really needed like medecine,use US companies like DHL,UPS or Federal Express,do not use the post office for that kind of package but it's not cheap