What have I done? Looks like I’ll be a little hungry this weekend.
During my radio programme this morning I interviewed Liz Latham who is a World Vision Youth Ambassador. Liz is a young lady who travelled to East Timor earlier this year to see some of the work being carried out by World Vision. The poverty she experienced there has given her an even greater resolve to do even more to break the poverty cycle in whatever ways possible.
We chatted about the projects they are undertaking and the huge changes that are happening in East Timorese villages thanks to the generous support of World Vision donors.
The main focus of our interview was to raise awareness of this weekend’s 40 Hour Famine. People all over Australia will give up food this weekend to raise funds for World Vision’s aid worl in various places around the world. Instead of fasting, some will give up things like computers, furniture or mobile phones for 40 hours. Many kids will give up one meal or playing computer games for a day.
During the interview I challenged my listeners. I said that if anyone would sponsor me for $100 I would go without food from Friday evening until midday Sunday. I had two people call so this weekend I’ll be doing the 40 Hour Famine for the first time in years.
Did you know that somewhere in the world a child dies every three seconds as a result of poverty? Doing the 40 Hour Famine we can make a difference to those horrifying statistics. World Vision says that every $40 that is raised this weekend will help to feed and care for 8 children for an entire month. That means that with the two people who have already agreed to sponsor me for $100 each, 40 children will be fed for a month.
Do you want to help make an even bigger difference? Leave a comment below this post and let me know you’ll sponsor me. It doesn’t have to be $100 and you don’t even have to leave the amount in the comments. If you tell me you want to be involved I’ll email you to fnd out how much you can afford to sponsor.
Funds raised from this year’s 40 Hour Famine will support:
– World Vision projects in East Timor (educating communities about effective farming methods, nutrition and disease prevention, providing farmers with seeds, tools and livestock and building effective water catchments systems)
– World Vision projects in Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia (teaching families new farming skills, drilling boreholes for clean water, building sanitary toilets and educating mothers about nutrition and healthcare for children)
– Poor families living in emergency situations brought about when a natural disaster occurs or war erupts (providing life-saving food, clean water, blankets, clothing, tents and other necessities)
Posted by Rodney Olsen
Technorati Tags: 40 Hour Famine – World Vision – Poverty
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Hi Rodney. I’ve been reading your blog for some time now, but I’ve never commented. I guess it’s about time I said hi.
I listen to you sometimes in the car, and I just wanted to say it’s wonderful to have Christian station here in Perth, with Christian journalists and presenters. I come from a country that doesn’t have the privilege of being outrightly Christian in the media, so I find it fantastic to listen to the station you work at.
Also, I just want to wish you good luck with the 40 hour famine. I did it last year with my youth group, and I know how challenging it is. All the best and God bless!
What a remarkable project!!! I love it. I especially love the fact that people have the choice of giving up other things besides food. For young people especially, to give up the computer or cell phone is more of a sacrifice than food. Great luck to you!!!