Kids fast to raise money for hungry children around globe
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A UMNS Web-only image Julian Lorenzo (left) passes time with friends at a 30-hour fast to give kids a taste of what hunger is like.
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Julian
Lorenzo (left) plays foosball with his friends at Vashon (Washington)
United Methodist Church. He and 21 of his fellow middle school friends
are participating in the 30-Hour Famine, an event the relief
organization World Vision organizes, to give young adults a taste of
what hunger is like for millions of children around the world. The money
raised through donations and sponsors will help starving children. A
UMNS Web-only image. Photo #w05-038. Accompanies UMNS story #259.
4/27/05 |
April 27, 2005A UMNS Feature By Kim Riemland* As
Julian Lorenzo plays foosball with his friends on a Friday night at
Vashon (Wash.) United Methodist Church, his thoughts are wandering
toward what he’s been fighting to forget: food. "A pizza, or something with meat in it, would be really nice right now," Lorenzo says. He’s
been thinking about food all evening because he and 21 of his fellow
middle school friends are nearing the end of a 30-hour fast. "It’s
just to experience hunger because the money we raise is to support
people who suffer from that," eighth-grader Sylvie Shiosaki says. They’re
participating in the 30 Hour Famine, a March 17-18 event organized by
the humanitarian and relief organization World Vision to give young
adults a taste of what hunger is like for millions of children around
the world. The money raised through donations and sponsors will help
World Vision get food to starving children. World
Vision estimates nearly 30,000 children die each day because of hunger.
Millions more suffer from malnutrition and the many discomforts from
lack of food.
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A UMNS Web-only image Eighth-grader
Emily Gage (center) says money raised during the 30 Hour Famine event
proves 14-year-olds can make a difference in fighting hunger.
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Eighth
grader Emily Gage (center) says money raised during the 30 Hour Famine
event proves 14-year-olds can make a difference in fighting hunger. Her
youth group at Vashon (Washington) United Methodist Church participated
in the 30 Hour Famine, an event the relief organization World Vision
organizes, to give young adults a taste of what hunger is like for
millions of children. A UMNS Web-only image. Photo #w05-037. Accompanies
UMNS story #259. 4/27/05 |
"We get to eat in an hour, and they’re going to have to deal with this their whole lives," says eighth-grader Odin Jacobovitch.While
it hasn’t been easy going without meals for 30 hours, the students have
filled their time with fun and educational activities. They have
relaxed with movies and games, but also learned about AIDS around the
world, the effectiveness of nonviolent communication, and how to use
quiet time for prayer and reflection. "They’re really understanding that they have personal power to change the world," says parent and event organizer Wendy Gage. As the event enters its final minutes, the smell of a home-cooked meal wafts from the church’s kitchen. "I
smell waffles. I smell bacon," chime two boys, while jockeying for a
good position in line for the meal being prepared by parents and church
volunteers. After
30 hours—to the minute—a hot and hearty breakfast buffet is spread
before the hungry teens. As they wolf down every mouth-watering bite,
they are proud of what they have accomplished. "People
probably think that 14-year-olds can’t make a difference," says
eighth-grader Emily Gage. "But by doing this now, we are showing that we
can." That’s
reflected in the fact that their event has raised more than $3,000.
World Vision estimates that’s enough to feed eight children for a year. *Riemland is a United Methodist News Service correspondent and producer based in Seattle. News media contact: Fran Coode Walsh, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5458 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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