Rick Steves Hunger And Hope: Lessons From Ethiopia And Guatemala

Encore Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 at 4 p.m. on KPBS TV / On Demand

In the op-ed style documentary, Rick Steves ventures beyond Europe to learn about the key aspects of extreme poverty and how communities in the developing world are overcoming these challenges.

Rick meets struggling farmers in Ethiopia and Guatemala, and discovers what life is like for the 700 million people living on under $2 per day. Working closely with experts and locals, Steves unpacks the important role that clean water, education, nutrition, and empowered women play in ending hunger.

Rather than focusing on charitable giving as the sole solution, “Hunger And Hope: Lessons From Ethiopia And Guatemala” explores how communities are using smart development to rise out of extreme poverty and gain independence. The program's distinctively optimistic tone challenges viewers to rethink how we view and address world hunger.

“’Hunger And Hope: Lessons From Ethiopia And Guatemala’ is five minutes desperation and fifty-five minutes of hope," said Steves. "This isn't another documentary that wallows in the all-too-common theme of guilt and hopelessness. Instead, viewers will walk away feeling encouraged and hopeful."

To better understand how communities in Ethiopia and Guatemala are addressing extreme poverty, the program includes stories from local farmers, small business owners, social justice advocates, and others who are accessing resources and finding innovative ways to pull their families and communities out of poverty.

With the help of nonprofit organizations (NGOs) Steves also learns how financial literacy and health education are providing long-term opportunities for locals — and why investing in the fight to end hunger is a good and practical investment as global citizens.

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Rick Steves in a village near Hawassa, Ethiopia. A young child stands in the background.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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World Food Programme health post near Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Child making the trek to fill a water bottle near Hawassa, Ethiopia.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Farm outside of Axum, Ethiopia.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Rick learns about Ethiopia's growing economy at the Hawassa Industrial Park.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Woman preparing food in Agros International's El Paraiso community in Nebaj, Guatemala.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Girl filling a water bottle in San Pablo La Laguna, Guatemala.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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Rick Steves with village kids in Ethiopia's Tigray region.

Courtesy of American Public Television

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With help from an NGO, Pedro (center) owns his land in Guatemala — and manages a profitable snap pea farm.

Courtesy of Rick Steves

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