Students plan 30-hour famine for a good cause

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

A group of students at Avon View High School will be feeling the hunger pangs Feb. 29, when they participate in the World Vision 30-hour famine to raise money for children in countries like Kenya in Africa. From Friday after school until 10 p.m. Saturday evening, the only thing that will pass through their lips is water and juice. But that’s okay they say; it’s for a good cause. “It’s not hard to do,” said Nick Deviers, a Grade 12 student, “We’re pretty privileged to have what we do have. It’s not a big deal to take a day out of our lives to help others.”

Global event

The famine event began with World Vision 37 years ago in the province of Alberta with the premise that going hungry for a few hours is a great reminder to the plight those in need. Since then, it has grown as an annual global event with dividends that have helped ease the suffering of millions of children. This is the first time students in Hants County have given it a go and although they plan to stock their wells beforehand, there’s no doubt it will be a brave effort. “I think we’ll have our struggles, but they will come and go,” student Kate MacKay said. “We’ll have a big meal here at the school before we start, maybe with rice,” Deviers noted. They’ll definitely want those complex carbohydrates to see them through.

The famine event will take place at the school with students spending the night and a few teachers taking shifts as chaperones. And as long as they don’t get bored, this group figures they’ll weather through. “We’re going to play a lot of board games, maybe spend some time in the gym,” said Matt Noils, a participant and co-prime minister of student council. However, a good night’s sleep is probably not in the works. “I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep when I’m hungry,” Brittany Benedict said. The students involved are not permitted to leave the school during the famine and have promised themselves not to dip into the prominent vending machines. “It’s going to be tempting, but we want to do it. Maybe we should unplug the dispensers,” suggested Dawson Hood.

Benedict, who plans to pursue a degree in International studies, spearheaded the plan. For her, this was way to connect with something outside her comfort zone. She thinks more people should participate but it was difficult to find fellow students willing to go without. “There just aren’t a lot of people willing to go hungry,” she said. But as they collectively put it, “they do it everyday,” referring to children in less developed countries.

The group will canvass the area, including Mt. Unicake, Falmouth and Windsor to fill pledge sheets. If you don’t find one of these students knocking on your door you can contact Benedict at bbenedic@studentednet.ns.ca or make a pledge by logging on to 30hourfamine.ca.