'We grow collard greens, okra, callaloo': London non-profit helping BIPOC individuals manage their diabetes journey
CTV
In a small greenhouse on Exeter Road in London, Ont., a non-profit organization for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals stay connected to their culture, but also manage their health.
In a small greenhouse on Exeter Road in London, Ont., a non-profit organization for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) individuals stay connected to their culture, but also manage their health.
“We've been able to cultivate a lot of okra, collard greens, callaloo, which not only to help reduce blood sugars, but also the cultural competency for families from Africa, the Middle East, India, Central America and the Caribbean,” said Mystery Furtado, CEO of Type Diabeat it.
The charity focuses on BIPOC diabetics, addressing food insecurity, access culturally fresh produce, and managing their diagnoses.
“We target people of colour because their numbers [of diabetics] is significantly higher in this community. In the most recent statistics 8.2 per cent of BIPOC individuals have diabetes comparted to four per cent,” said Furtado, who has a background in nursing and as a clinical educator. “Diabetes doesn’t care what skin colour you are.”
Collette Chapman is one of those individuals who was diagnosed in 2019 with Type 2 diabetes. Originally from Guyana in South America, Chapman moved to the Forest City 24 years ago.
“Who doesn't like jerk chicken or plantain, rice and peas, but what exactly is that doing to us?” said Chapman. “A lot of things have a sugar component which can be problematic for us.”
