Wairarapa College students participated in the 40 Hour Famine. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
ALEYNA MARTINEZ
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It’s that time of the year where Kiwi kids choose what first world item or activity they will sacrifice for the weekend in order to raise money for those who go without luxuries every day.
This year the focus of the World Vision 40 Hour Famine challenge, which started at 8pm Friday night and continued through to midday Sunday, is on Malawi. The African country is experiencing unseasonal and unpredictable weather events like cyclones, droughts and floods. They are also in the middle of dealing with covid-19.
Fleur Hardman, teacher in charge at Wairarapa College said they have a history of participating in the 40 Hour Famine dating back to “before I started teaching here in the 90s, so it has a proud tradition here”.
“I love seeing the enthusiasm our young people put in to raising money for others struggling from the impacts of poverty, war and natural disasters,” Hardman said.
“I think it’s a great way for young people to look beyond themselves and gain a broader perspective of the world they live in.”
Roy Rimene-Clark, Year 12 said he has been participating in the famine for four years.
“This year I will be blindfolded for 40 hours,” he said. “Now that covid-19 is here. Wairarapa College is unable to make packs for people who go around door knocking, which is really unfortunate for me as the majority of my fundraising was collected through the packs.
“I would definitely recommend this to others as I believe the more we pull together the more powerful we become.”
This year, because of covid-19, donations are being sent electronically to stop kids having to handle cash – go to: https://my.worldvision.org.nz/ss/pHMcDn/wairarapa-college
