Source of Hope Foundation founder, Stephen Robert, has contributed to improving the lives of those belonging to under-served communities. Through the Foundation, Stephen Robert has supported other charitable organizations in focused on reducing malnutrition.
Malnutrition has been a chronic problem in Colombia. In children, malnutrition is also associated with growth retardation, which exposes them to other risks (i.e. performing poorly in school, limited economic opportunities, and chronic disease). However, world and philanthropic organizations have collaborated to create a tool that could potentially reduce the impact of malnutrition on the entire country. In the last two years, researchers have developed a maize crop that could potentially address one part of the issue, zinc deficiencies. In 2018, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) developed a zinc-enriched form of maize (BIO-MZN01) that would provide Colombians with this vital mineral. Zinc is an important mineral associated with human development, and the daily requirement is 15mg. However, BIO-MZN01 contains 36 percent more zinc than other strains of maize. The crop has a number of benefits. For one, the country’s maize-based diet could be supplemented by this crop, such as through arepas, a staple of the Colombian diet. More significantly, the crop can yield twice the amount of maize as the national average of 3.7 tons per hectares. Ultimately, this fortified crop can address gastro-intestinal tract, immune, and respiratory issues, in addition to reducing development problems caused by malnutrition.
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Stephen Robert, founder and trustee of Source of Hope Foundation, has contributed to causes that assist under-served communities around the world. In addition to his work in the Middle East, Stephen Robert has assisted people living in the Ethiopian provinces of Konso and Derashe with getting fresh, clean water.
While inroads have been made, water stress is a very real impediment to business in Sub-Saharan Africa. In the last two decades, world organizations have recognized the water shortage crisis on the continent. While the focus has been on the health impacts (sanitary conditions and spread of disease), there has also been a financial impact to the area. Potentially, many African nations could flourish agriculturally except for the scarcity of clean water. Health is always more important than finance, but in this case, water stress impacts health. For example, a study completed 15 years ago reported that Kenya’s GDP declined by 16 percent during the 1999-2000 drought. Almost 20 years later, water stress is still an issue for most nations in this region. To address water scarcity, world and charitable organizations will have to take a three-pronged approach. First and foremost, countries in this region need potable water programs that address challenges to hygiene and sanitation. Other solutions address reducing water stress by focusing on its economic impact. For example, providing farmers with clean water is a priority because 90 percent of the rural population relies on water to farm. And, because these areas are prone to drought, there is a risk that has to be addressed and managed. Finally, those assisting African governments with addressing water stress needs should consider investing in green infrastructure that will improve water yields. Even with the overwhelming incidence of water stress throughout the continent, there have been some bright spots. In Kenya, farmers have been assisted with learning how to increase water supply from the Tana River. Moreover, the Ethiopian government has invested in services that have improved water sanitation. |
AuthorThe former owner, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. Archives
March 2022
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