Despite it being the least developed country in the world, I always miss Niger when I’m away.
It doesn’t matter how well functioning my native Sweden is on the outside - I miss the simplicity of the bush, the blueness of the sky, the joy of a stranger’s laughter as we meet for the first time.
I miss the constant discovery of the very things that makes our life add up to something real and meaningful. Niger reminds me never to take anything for granted, and lets me marvel at the little things. The beautiful things. The untainted things. In the Western world, everything is so processed and readily served. We are constantly pushed to Think Big, but while striving to maintain our materially comfortable lifestyle, our children pay a costly price. Time has become our most valuable asset and something we can no longer spare. Focusing hard to achieve bigness, we can no longer afford to look at the little things. And yet, the little things often hold the key to the great things in life.
Copyright Eden Foundation
There are for instance 78,000 edible species in the world, and yet mankind has settled for a mere 3000. I wonder why. The food industry promotes 20 of these, which corresponds for 90% of what we humans eat. It may sound convenient, but we’re missing out on a world of discoveries.
Copyright Eden Foundation
Eden Foundation believes that the key to prosperity for the poor lie in underexploited, edible trees and bushes and this is one of the many reasons why I love working for Eden so much. Eden’s mission is to find those treasures and bring them to people who really need them. It’s a vision of discovering the little things - the lost treasures of Eden - and making those treasures come to their full potential. I could not ask for a more meaningful job.
When I ride in Niger, I often talk about one of my favourite trees: the doom palm tree. It’s native to Niger, grows without irrigation and has a sweet edible fruit.
My brother and sister-in-law recently took these pictures, where a young woman on their street was selling doom palm tree fruits with great success.
The top of the fruit was cut off so that the clients could access the sweet liquid inside the nut. Like a miniature coconut, growing in one of the driest areas in the world!
It’s pretty amazing, when you think of it. Life is full of precious discoveries, when only we have the time to take a closer look.
For more discoveries around the world, visit My World!
27 users commented in " Discovering the Little Things "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackI love reading about Eden. Reading your blog has made me notice ways here in my life that I can simplify and I’ve been making baby steps in that direction. You’ve been inspirational to me, Esther, and I don’t even really know you! For example, when to know when enough is enough. We get so bogged down in having things around us here that we seldom use once we get them. We don’t take time to appreciate what we have and seek more all the time. I’ve stopped doing that. I think first about what I have that I dont use and I’ve been getting rid of it by donating it to someone who may have a need for it. I’ve also been making a concerted effort to buy locally grown produce and products when I need them. I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find out what I’ve been missing for so long!! Long live the Eden Foundation!
Ishtar…As always, an inspiration. You are living the dream girl. Do you know why the tree is called a “Doom Plant?”
Love your comment that the little things hold the key to the great things in life!
A very interesting post! I had no idea about all those edible fruits!
Great post Esther! Made me think and be thankful for the simplicity of life here in Niger.
Wonderfully inspirational post, Esther. As a fellow blogger comments above, I am also motivated and encouraged to continue in my quest for simplicity and the natural. Thanks for a brilliant post. (((Hugs))) Jo
Wow you are the best Esther
what you say is so very true esther. i think as we grow up and grow older we too realize that too much is enough. i already find myself downsizing and yearning for a simplier and easier life free of so many things. hubby and i were again discussing this very subject this past weekend.
thanks for your wonderful blog, your thoughts and of course sharing your beautiful niger with us.
have a wonderful week.
I, too, am inspired by your life and your philosophy, Esther. In my old age, I have become happy with less “stuff.” I know the Eden Foundation will make life better for the Nigerien people, so keep up the good work!
I’ve never been to Africa but it seems like a very interesting place. So many amazing countries and people. Your post really sheds a nice light on Niger.
What a stunning post with beautiful photography and laced with such gentle wisdom. What a find. This really hit home:
“There are for instance 78,000 edible species in the world, and yet mankind has settled for a mere 3000. I wonder why. The food industry promotes 20 of these, which corresponds for 90% of what we humans eat. It may sound convenient, but we’re missing out on a world of discoveries.”
It is so important that people understand how little nutrition we get in the western world. Thank you.
Interesting, the secrets if Niger that you share. The descriptions of the fruits make me want to taste them.
You made it flow so naturally between the personal and the universal. Personal discoveries are as big as universal and vice versa.
it’s always inspiring and at the same time, informative being here in your blog. I really appreciate and admire what you do. Sometimes, we take things for granted because they are easily handed down to us and our society dictates that material and complex things are more valuable than the simpler ones. It’s really good to get back to basics from time to time. That’s how God wants it, anyway.
My World is up too.
Esther, that is the way we live on a daily basis. Noth that we could not go to the supermarket and buy all the expensive processed foods there are. We just prefer to grow our own or by things at the farmer’s market. I hope I will still live to see the day when we have a house-cow again and our own mild, cream, sour cream, butter, buttermilk and cheese again. There is nothing better than what you have grown yourself.
You take really stunning pictures - absolutely gorgeous. Yes, it’s more efficient to serve just 20 things wrapped in plastic - transported, pre-packaged, tasteless. The less affluent in America can’t afford fresh fruits and vegetables. Some children have never eaten anything that didn’t come in a box.
Very well written Esther. Thank you for reminding us (me) to live simply.
A lovely post and a timely reminder. What a wonderful job you have!
It truely is the little things in life that make it worth living, the Doom Palm sounds like a cool tree, I’d like to try the fruit one day, sounds delish..:-)
It’s hard to think of more contrasting countries!
I hadn’t heard of the ‘Doom Palm’ before.
About edible fruits . . . something which is edible isn’t necessarily palatable. It’s also odd how difficult it is to enjoy the taste of something outside our usual experience. Our likes and our dislikes, I suppose, are set down very early in our lives.
Brilliant name for a plant! Doesn’t look particularly ‘doomy’ to me, but perhaps the namer was having a bad day.
You speak a lot of truth. We’re always hearing about how much food, esp fruit and veg, people in the uk throw away - what’s not mentioned is that often it is of such sub standard quality that perhaps only half what you buy will be edible.
The Doom Palm is fascinating. How interesting to learn that its fruit is like a small coconut. I, too, am curious about the name.
The other fruits look delicious. Are those grown in Niger? Can they survive with little or no water?
The research Eden does is much needed.
Very inspiring and deep, as always! Many Greetings!
Excellent post. It makes you stop and appreciate the things around you and realize how over processed we really are in the western world.
What a beautifully written post…and wish we could try one of those fruits!!
Beautiful pictures, what pictures of fruit is?
I really appreciate your view of life. It’s interesting to learn about all the different fruits and plants in Niger. I’m looking forward to learn more. Have a great weekend!
This is a wonderful post. You have taught me much. I will have a look at the Eden Foundation.
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