Every human being has the power to make the world a little kinder, a little more peaceful. And different people from different generations can bring together the perfect mix of wisdom, experience, enthusiasm and passion. Today, on day 9 of our food justice initiative in support of World Vegan Day, we are in Hungary with our friend and activist Raul Vida, preparing fresh, nutritious plant-based meals for residents and staff in two nursing homes.
In honor of the older residents, we made a popular Hungarian dish, paprikás krumpli, but instead of the usual animal-based ingredients, we have used pea-based sausages to accompany the potatoes, and perfect seasoning to blend traditional flavors with new, making an ethical alternative that didn’t involve animal suffering.
Empowering Action
Too often, we feel helpless in the face of some of the world’s greatest challenges, and too often we are encouraged to feel that way by industries that cause great harm to us and the planet. But we are not powerless. We can have a meaningful impact through our choices and our actions, and the single biggest thing individuals can do to protect the planet, according to Oxford University researchers, is to go vegan. It is also the single biggest thing we can do to protect animals.
Our aim today was to empower people from a generation too often sidelined when it comes to discussions about the future of the planet and preventing animal suffering. Their voices should be heard and their contribution valued.
Food + Education
Food is a great starting point for a broader discussion about the impacts of our dietary choices. And so along with the food that everyone loved, we distributed information about the vegan philosophy, plant-based diets, and zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19, which was caused by the appalling treatment of animals and their habitats.
Raul, the coordinator of the MDV-supported food justice initiatives in Hungary, happily summed up his experience at the end of the event:
“Every one of our food distributions is a miracle. Meeting new people with different stories, showing them ethical alternatives, and sharing veganism with them is one of the best ways to make a big difference in the world.”
“Our fourth food distribution took us to two nursing homes where the feedback we got touched us a lot, but especially Aunt Elizabeth, a woman in her 80s, who tearfully thanked us for taking care of older people. We couldn’t see each other’s faces in the masks, but her eyes radiated the joy that lit up my heart. She sent us kisses from afar and returned to us several times to thank us again for our support. We promised her that we would see her again and do our best not only for older people but for every human and animal on the planet. Because life is much better when we are kind to others.”
➪ Find out more at Prove.hu
