Thread by @Kartik__Raj

A thread /

1/ One of the perks of this job I have is I get to talk to and learn from some phenomenally inspiring people. People like Usman Camara, an organic farmer in Madrid, originally from Mauritania, help restore my faith in humanity, when it is sometimes challenged.

2/ Usman is now in his mid-50s. He left Mauritania as a young man and arrived in Spain in 1995, and then worked in all sorts of jobs here and in France until 2011. At that point he was out of work, and started farming this plot south of Madrid.

3/ He leases a small plot of land from the Rivas-Vaciamadrid local government, where he grows organic kale, chard, broccoli, carrots, beets, tomatoes, aubergine, beans and so much more. And then he sells this to small food co-ops, and makes up vegetable boxes to order.

4/ When the Covid-19 pandemic began, and the government imposed a lockdown, Usman was stuck in the inner city, working class neighborhood of Lavapies where he lives and has his warehouse for distributing veg boxes.

5/ Usman — like others — saw people in his neighborhood really struggling. The economic shut down and lockdown rules really hurt the urban poor, many working in the service industry and the grey market. Street vending, domestic cleaning & care, hospitality all suddenly ceased.

6/ People were going hungry. And he had produce on his farm. Usman got together with neighborhood activists like @BabColectivo to get permission from the authorities to make trips to his farm, harvest produce and bring it back to give to people in need. (Photos @lavanguardia)

7/ And working alongside community and neighborhood activists, including migrant organizations, he gave away 1000s of kilos of vegetables. Groups like this sprung up across Spain to meet the new urgent need.

8/ The way Usman sees the world and explains why he does what he does as a farmer and did what he did during the pandemic is startlingly clear.

9/ “Human beings have to help other human beings. Every person should have enough to eat for their daily meal. No one should go hungry. I’m a farmer. I’m not a rich man. I don’t have gold, silver or diamonds. But I share what I have.”

10/ Disaster struck when Usman’s farm burnt down in a fire in June 2021. He lost everything. But the community groups he’d helped, now helped him back. They raised funds for him, and he’s now replanting his farm. It will take time; Usman sees the help and sharing as a big circle.

11/ / A remarkable, unassuming, wise man who has seen his own share of difficulties, and has done more than his part to help others with theirs.

I hope to tell Usman’s story in more details soon as @NatashaBowler, @Phil_Caller, @hrw multimedia colleagues. /end

#righttofood