Hungry for a change
A large group of Moncton High students are foregoing food for 30 hours to help the chronically hungry in other parts of the world
For 50 years, trick-or-treaters toted coin boxes door to door as a fundraising effort for UNICEF.
Now that the boxes have retired, students are looking at other ways to offer aid to undernourished countries.
For the third year in a row, Moncton High student Anthony Ford has been partaking in the 30 Hour Famine as an effort to raise awareness of the global need to fight hunger.
The international youth movement is a development of World Vision, which distributes funds raised to serve Malawi, North Korea, Darfur, Sudan, Kenya and Swaziland.
So far, up to 50 participants have signed on at Moncton High. Anthony explains the number of student campaigners is still growing, and getting an education along the way.
"We learn about this through a presentation for all of those who are participating," he explains. "It shows where all the money is going to and what specific problems we are helping out."
The goal for the group this year is to raise $5000. One way the students are raising awareness is a stop at the Moncton Market during their 30 hour fast.
"A bunch of students are coming together to do this over the weekend," Anthony says. "We don't want to affect school by not eating.
"We are all fundraising now for people to give any sort of donation they can."
Anthony stresses that any donation is appreciated, as it all adds up.
"Not a lot of money can do a lot of stuff, and that's what is important to get across to people."
Although the fast is focused on raising awareness for hunger, money also goes towards families and community development.
"One hundred dollars can put two students through school for a year," Anthony points out, and goes on to add that one project World Vision undertakes is drilling water wells for communities.
"Clean water has many advantages," shares Anthony. "Just washing your face with clean water can save your life and vision.
"We don't think much of it because we have so much water here, but some countries only use up 10 Liters a day."
For an event that takes 30 hours to complete, getting ready for the the Famine has taken two months.
Getting the pledge sheets distributed, encouraging people to join, and informing the students have all been part of the process.
One determining factor, which prompted Anthony to join the 30 hour effort, was in the small print.
"All the money raised goes into World Vision," he read. "None is used in advertising or awareness."
Anthony believes the event is not only used as a fundraising effort for overseas but expresses the importance of local contributions to a worldwide audience.
"I think being in North America, the view you get is a censored vision from what happens in the rest of the world," he says.
"This event opens people's eyes to how lucky we are and what money can do to help the lives of other people."
Recently, the high school student attended a World Vision conference, which uncovered some of the faces behind the campaign's recipients.
"This effort really saves lives and helps people out so much," he says. "I have heard stories and it's really inspiring. You don't think one person cant make a difference but you can."
If you would like to make a donation, you can contact Moncton High School and speak with either Anthony, or Robert Azevedo.
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