Lawrence Molokwu, a 22-year-old student from Dagenham, has found himself struggling to afford nutritious food while dealing with the high cost of living. ‘I have to be very strategic about what I buy and where I buy it from’ he explains. ‘One strategy I use is to buy fruits from the local market or make my own orange juice instead of buying expensive, pre-made juices’ Despite the challenges he faces, Lawrence has managed to maintain his academic performance. ‘I haven’t experienced any negative impacts on my grades due to hunger, but I know that hunger can be a major distraction for some students. That’s why it’s important to find ways to address the issue’
One way Lawrence has been able to balance the need for food with other financial demands is by quickly budgeting. ‘I have to prioritise my spending and make sure that I’m not overspending on food when I have other expenses like textbooks and rent to pay’; While Lawrence has not sought out any external resources for support, he is aware of the financial assistance programs offered by his university. ‘DMU offers a bursary if I ever need it, which is reassuring to know’ When it comes to finding creative ways to save money on food, Lawrence focuses on finding high protein and low-fat options. ‘I look for deals on lean meats, eggs, and beans, which are affordable and provide me with the nutrients I need.’ Fortunately, Lawrence has not had to choose between buying food and paying for other necessities such as rent or bills. However, he recognises that many students are not as fortunate. ‘My advice to other students who are struggling with the high cost of hunger is to plan and budget weekly spending to a certain price. It can be difficult, but you have to be disciplined and charge it long-term.’ Lawrence also advocates for himself and other students who are experiencing hunger and food insecurity by attending university events and student meetings to raise awareness. ‘It’s important to talk about this issue and make sure that students are aware of the resources available to them’. When it comes to what schools and communities can do to better support students who are dealing with the high cost of hunger, Lawrence suggests providing financial support and free groceries to students in need. ‘It would make a big difference to students who are struggling to make ends meet’
Finally, when asked about what steps governments can take to address the issue of student hunger and ensure that all students have access to nutritious food, Lawrence suggests working out deals with importing food items to make them more affordable and offering student discounts at grocery shopping outlets.
“If the government can make healthy food more accessible to students, it would be a game changer for many of us.”
In conclusion, Lawrence Molokwu’s experience is unfortunately not unique. Many students face the challenge of trying to balance the high cost of living with the need for adequate nutrition, and the consequences can be severe, including poor academic performance and mental health.
Lawrence’s strategies of budgeting, finding high protein and low-fat foods, and attending university events to raise awareness are just some of the ways students can cope with the high cost of hunger. However, universities, schools, and communities must also take a more active role in supporting their students’ needs by providing financial assistance, free groceries, and awareness programs. Furthermore, governments should work on addressing the root causes of food insecurity and make nutritious food more affordable and accessible to students. Lawrence’s story highlights the need for a collective effort to address the issue of student hunger and ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive in their academic pursuits.
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