Environmental damage is at the root of Ethiopia's notorious famines. Its highlands were once rich and fertile. But, since 1900, more than 90 per cent of their forests have been cut down and, as a result, a billion tonnes of their topsoil are eroded every year. So harvests fail, droughts are more devastating, and hunger strikes more often. Fifteen months ago, Fayo Hadji became the symbol of a devastating famine then threatening his country, Ethiopia. But his plight helped avert catastrophe, by catching the attention of governments, and stimulated an international campaign started by high-school students.

Back in November 2002, a BBC journalist found Fayo, then eight, sitting on a rusty can in the village of Dir Fakar, 200 kilometres south of Addis Ababa, drawing shapes in the dust with a small stone. The boy told him that his parents' cattle had died and their crops had failed in a drought. He had nothing to eat, and had lost all hope.

'I know I am going to die, and so are my brothers and sisters, because we are all so hungry,' he said in a matter-of-fact tone. 'I would prefer to die rather than keep waiting for food. I prefer to die.' Fayo was just one in many millions. The Ethiopian Government calculated that 15 million people faced starvation. With tears in his eyes, the Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi, warned of a disaster 'too ghastly to contemplate'.

But Fayo's words sparked concern around the world and the biggest relief operation ever mounted was launched. Half a world away, they struck home with the 12th grade German-language students at the Seckman Senior High School in St Louis, Missouri, in the heart of the United States' grain belt. Fayo's predicament inspired them to hold a candlelight vigil to
raise money and awareness, because they were alarmed at the lack of media coverage of the famine.

The students contacted the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which helped them to get publicity. Inspired by their initiative - and the response of other schools and individuals - WFP started the Africa Hunger Alert to mobilize such grassroots concern. It was launched on the day of the Seckman school vigil. Alan Kirby, the German teacher at the school, says: 'Our small project had become an international campaign to help millions of victims of the vast hunger problems in Africa.'

In all, the international community poured some 2 million tonnes of food aid into Ethiopia and the worst of the famine was avoided.

A year later the journalist returned to Dir Fakar and found Fayo and his family alive and well. 'I never thought I would see you again,' said the boy. 'Thank God the world was so kind and sent us food. That is the reason that my family and I are alive.'

Fayo had had to drop out of school during the famine, but had since resumed his studies. Looking up at the sky, he said: 'After finishing school, when I am older I would like to be a pilot and fly big planes.'

Related Links:
BBC UN World Food Programme PDF Version