Mon, 7 Mar 2005

Funds from this year's 40 Hour Famine (18 – 20 March) have already been committed to World Vision's Tsunami relief work, to the tune of US$100,000.

40 Hour Famine funds, which are raised mainly by school children and students gaining sponsors for going without food (or technology) over Famine weekend, are often used in part for current crises or emergencies throughout the world, as Lisa Trail, Youth Marketing Manager, explains:

"We have set projects every year that we fund, and these always involve children – street children, children working on rubbish dumps, abandoned children or those rescued from child prostitution, children orphaned or affected by HIV/AIDS, and children in bonded labour. The bulk of Famine funds go to these projects. However, we always commit a certain amount, or hold a certain amount in reserve so we can immediately help in times of crises, such as the Boxing Day Tsunami, or the Bam earthquake."

Mrs Trail says the urgency of the tsunami crisis and the need to respond immediately means the 40 Hour Famine is seen by participants as being relevant and responsive.

"They have a feeling of ownership, of actually doing something over this weekend that directly helps young people their own age in crisis situations," she says.

The theme of this year's Famine is Spread the Word – Help Children in Crisis.

Faminers don't have to go without food over Famine weekend. They can give up something they love, such as talking, cellphones, computers, stereos, or they can do an activity such as a runathon, swimathon, walkathon, or partake in a 'refugee camp'.

40 Hour Famine – 18 – 20 March 2005. Details on the website: famine.org.nz

ENDS

© Scoop Media