Persuasive Speech - World Hunger

So this is something I wrote for my public speaking class I am currently taking at the local college. It's sorta rough around the edges but I thought I'd post it here.

"If we can conquer space, we can conquer childhood hunger." These profound words were spoken first by Buzz Aldrin. Indeed, how true they are! So why hasn’t the world figured out a solution to this pressing issue?

According to a field report done by Medecins Sans Frontieres (also known as MSF) over 195 million children currently suffer from malnutrition worldwide with 20 million being acute cases. From these, only 3% actually receive the treatment they need.

Because of this deficiency in food, their bodies lack nutrients and thus become weaker and more vulnerable to diseases. From sudden blindness, to anemia (which is frequently exacerbated by malaria and worm infections) to iodine deficiency orders which jeopardize the child’s mental health, their frail bodies begin to disintegrate rapidly without the proper nourishment.

South Asia, the Horn and the Sahel of Africa are the most alarming hot-spots for child malnutrition and mortality. Half of the deaths in children under five in developing countries, occur in these three regions.

So how can we fight malnutrition? How can we prevent these deaths and outbreaks of illnesses? The answer is simple. We need more food.

With enough food there would be no more hunger. The mortality rate would greatly decrease. Fewer people would suffer from these diseases. Everyone could have their fill of nutritious foods and everyone could know what its like to feel stuffed after a Thanksgiving dinner.

So many great things would happen if world hunger no longer existed and the solution is simple. A single meal of nutritious food a day could keep a body alive and well. But we traditionally have three! What if we were to give up just one of our meals - that’s seven a week - and give the resources instead to those who suffer from starvation? Right now, over 300,000,000 people live in the USA. That’s 300,000,000 lives we could save, including in our own country! So what are we waiting for?! Why can’t you and I take the first steps to a better tomorrow? Imagine the possibilities!