Page 46 - 80 YEARS OF VOLUNTEER IMPACT WITH FAO

Food security Working towards a world without hunger

Sylvie Abong

“FOOD SECURITY ISN'T JUST ABOUT MEALS,

IT'S ABOUT JUSTICE.”

Growing up in Africa, Sylvie Abong learned early that food should never
be wasted. “If we ever left food on our plates, my mom would say, ‘Do you
know how many children go without food?’” That lesson stayed with her.
Though her family could afford food, she saw many others go without,
even asking for clean water at her doorstep. “Seeing all that made me
realize how deeply unfair it is that something as basic as food isn’t
42 guaranteed for everyone.”

Now based in Canada, Sylvie joined FAO as a UN Volunteer Proofreader,
supporting the Food Systems Coordination Hub by proofreading a French
web story. “I had to make sure the text was clear, accurate and respectful."
What she enjoyed the most was helping to communicate FAO’s work to
a wider audience: “I felt proud to support communication that promotes
food security and international cooperation. It made me feel part of
something meaningful and global.”

To Sylvie, food security isn’t just about meals—it’s about justice, respect
and opportunity. “No one should go to bed hungry. I want to help build a
world where every person has access to good, nutritious food.”

Sylvie Abong, UN Volunteer Proofreader, supported the Food Systems Coordination Hub
at FAO. [Sylvie Abong, 2025]