Vegetarian Action
By Michelle Y. Burke
International Vegetarian Food Relief: Soycows in Russia and Prasadam in Mozambique
Soycows Provide Protein in Russia
Feed the Children, an international, nonprofit, Christian charitable organization, has recently established a Soycow program in Russia. It began in 1997, when 61 Soycows were introduced. A Soycow is a machine that extracts the liquid from soybeans to make soymilk. Each machine can produce approximately 340 liters of soymilk every eight hours. This soymilk, as well as tofu and okara, a byproduct of the milk-producing process, are then distributed freely to those in need. Participants in the program receive approximately one-half liter per day. In 1999, another 140 Soycows were donated to Russia, and according to David Hutton, the Country Director, Feed the Children planned to bring in another 400 by the end of the year 2000.
David Hutton explained that the Soycows fit into Feed the Children's philosophy of long-term sustainable development, since once the machine is in place in the community, the community operates it and has longterm access to the high protein value of the soy. The machines are also bought from a Russian supplier, thereby helping to boost the local economy.
Feed the Children also worked with Children's HopeChest, a Christian charity working in Russian orphanages, to place the Soycows into Russian orphanages where protein is in short supply. In the orphanages, two orphanage graduates operate the machine and the children are provided with the dietary supplement for the cost of less than $5.00 per month per child.
For more information, Children's HopeChest can be reached at PO Box 1190, Palmer Lake, CO 80133, or online at <http://www.hopechest.org>. Feed the Children can be reached at 333 North Meridian Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73107-6568, or online at <http://www.feedthechildren.org>.
Prasadam Being Distributed Globally
Prasadam is sanctified, vegetarian food and it is distributed freely by Food For Life, the humanitarian service of ISKCON (The International Society for Krishna Consciousness). Food For Life (FFL) was developed in the 1970's when Indian swami, Srila Prabhupada, asked his followers to not allow anyone within a ten-mile radius of his temple to go hungry. The program now operates in over 60 countries.
According to Paul Turner, the global director of Food For Life, FFL has been successful in many politically hot areas around the world because of its commitment to feeding all hungry people, regardless of political allegiance or religious sect. He has personally served prasadam in Chechnya and has traveled to over 50 countries to train and participate in FFL activities.
According to Turner, the largest FFL event in the year 2000 was the emergency program in Mozambique, helping people recover from the flood damage done in February. However, he also noted that more than 150 FFL programs around the world help the needy on a daily basis. Turner hopes to expand FFL to include a parallel program, Food For Life Friends, which would provide a grounds for those of any religious affiliation within the vegetarian community to distribute vegetarian food under the guidance of Food For Life Global.
Food For Life Global is the global headquarters for all Hare Krishna Food For Life activities and may be reached online at <http://www.ffl.org>. Food For Life Global coordinates FFL's worldwide activities, provides training and materials, and represents FFL to the media, government, and vegetarian community. All local FFL programs remain autonomous
