Early in 2024, Manitoba Regional Rep for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Gordon Janzen, participated in a CFB learning tour to Nepal, along with five other Manitobans keenly interested in the ag sector and the projects affiliated with the Foodgrain Bank.
Janzen had strong connections with that part of the world as his parents spent three years in India and then in Nepal; his father a doctor and his mother, a nurse. Janzen himself spent a number of years in both countries and so was not unfamiliar with the cultures and dynamics of Nepal.
However, joining the CFB learning tour brought a new perspective on food sustainability in that country for Janzen.
"It kind of widened my perspective on the world," he explains. "Often when we get involved in our own work, and our families and all the things that we do, and we're involved in good and important things, but we don't always have the view of other people in need. And so, that learning tour was really helpful in changing and enlarging my perspective."
As Canadians we don't always take a moment to stop and realize the many opportunities we have to bless others in our own neighborhoods, in our province and country, and those on the other side of the world.
"When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of all the generosity of the people involved in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank community projects and growing projects, Singing in the Grain is happening soon too. It's amazing to see the generosity of all the people," shares Janzen. "And I'm really impressed with those people who make that giving a habit, to realize their potential to give and then they do so, without always having the chance to meet people in other countries, like Nepal that we had the privilege to meet this year."
Janzen notes the country of Nepal is not a country of emergency needs, but the learning tour team saw chronic food sustainability need which was being addressed by the programs that they visited. Villages needing to ration food during the 5-month dry season, seasonal migration, nutrition programs for moms and children, irrigation projects and water catchment programs are just some of the projects the team witnessed.
The organization members and the many people whom the Canadian team met knew the work of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, of how the efforts of Canadians help provide the help they need to survive in a challenging, and often harsh, environment.
"Seeing their appreciation and the smiles on the faces of so many of the women in those women groups that we met with, that's the image that I'm taking with me into Thanksgiving," shares Gordon Janzen. "I just really remember the appreciation that we received from some of those women in those women groups."
The Canadian Foodgrains Bank hosts Supporter Appreciation Dinners as a greater way to saying 'Thank you' to their many sponsors and supporters.
- November 19th in Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg
- November 20th at the McDiarmid Alliance Church, Brandon
"These are not necessarily fundraisers, but more so an appreciation supper as part of our own Thanksgiving theme," shares Janzen. "It's a way for us to says thank you because we are so very thankful for the strong support from the people across Manitoba."