My Hero Fights Hunger

She’s not famous. She doesn’t wear a cape. But an unsung hero in our city. Ms. Shinobu, who lives in an apartment near the train station is a former primary school teacher. Life isn’t easy for the people in her neighborhood, because many work for long hours. Nowadays, groceries are keep getting more expensive, even instant noodles are more common than fresh vegetables in a common household. But Ms. Shinobu believed food shouldn't be something you have to strive for. So one day, she decided to arm herself with gardening gloves and started growing plants. Meanwhile, she also grew hope within the neighbourhood.

It all began with a few trays of bean sprouts and leafy vegetables on her balcony. After some time, she took it further. Therefore, she made up her mind to go to the rooftop of the apartment and started changing the rooftop into a garden. The neighbours were convinced that she was only doing it for a past time hobby, however, when she began to call others for help, they changed their minds. She started to teach the volunteers how to use recyclable items such as plastic bottles, buckets ,and old bento boxes to grow their own food. The rooftop quickly transformed into a garden full of edible greens, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and even mushrooms that were also grown by Ms. Shinobu in some shaded corners. Children that lives in the apartment came to the garden after school to help her water the plants and learn how compost works. They called her “Sensei” out of habit and respect. When the vegetables are ripe and ready to be picked, Ms. Shinobu harvested the vegetables and distributes to all the household in the apartment. She also prepared a box full of those vegetables for the security guards that keep the neighbourhood safe.

Picture this, Ms. Shinobu surrounded by pots of vegetables, and holding a basket full of fresh produce. The skyscraper of the city behind her, and a few kids grinning beside her with muddy hands. That is how her superpower works, by turning gray rooftops into green spaces and building the connections of the neighbourhood through shared meals and growing food together. There was once, she was asked why she was doing all of this. For a while she doesn't speak, then she replied the question with, "If we can harvest food from sunlight, then no one should be starving. If no one have the time for it, then I will do it myself since I am retired."

Hunger isn’t just about having nothing to eat, it is about accessibility, affordability, and creativity. In crowded cities, healthy food is either overpriced or unavailable. Even though, convenience food is cheap and fast, but it lacks nutrition. Climate issues and delayed food distribution make it even worse. This is where people like Ms. Shinobu step in when systems are failing. She didn’t wait for approval or funding, yet she find a solution and it is start to plant fresh vegetables. Through her actions, she has shown us that fighting hunger isn’t always about big moves, but using your creativity to do what you can, no matter where you are.

Ms. Shinobu always says, “Start with one seed.” That stuck with me for quite some time. You don’t need a huge garden to start, but just a little herb garden in a window, a box of veggies on the porch, or even donating leftover food can make an impact. Sharing what we grow, reducing waste, and saving money, are the things anyone can do, if you have no time for having a little garden of your own. Nowadays, the rooftop garden that Ms. Shinobu had created not only became a place to grow food, but also a place where the neighbourhood could create memories and build the community together. If there are more people that follow Ms. Shinobu as an example, I truly believe we could eliminate hunger in the future.