Make a Difference Your Way

It all started with a young woman named Ruth Roberts from Calgary, who wanted to make a difference in her world. Now, 38 years later, her efforts have turned into the 30 Hour Famine, which takes place in 16 countries worldwide.

Last year in Canada alone, over 100,000 participants raised over $5,000,000 for the cause that helps supply food, clean water, medical aid and even education to countries such as North Korea, Nicaragua, Ethiopia and India.

The original 30 Hour famine involved 14 friends who raised money by pledging to refrain from eating for 30 hours. And while this tradition has continued as schools, youth groups and friends come together to fast, it’s not the only way to make a difference. Celina Laforet, Alberta’s Regional Team Manager for World Vision, which sponsors the 30 Hour Famine, has heard of students who “fast” from technology and even a preschool class that raised money through a dance-a-thon. Register your “fast,” whether traditional or not, through your regional representatives and you will receive the Famine Kit. This kit contains donation sheets, inspirational videos and facts so you can fully understand and experience the changes your actions will make.

Even if you don’t raise money, you can always support others by making pledges or volunteering to help out during a fast. The 30 Hour Famine program is flexible because along with raising money for a good cause, it aims to bring together people passionate about making a better world; it is unity through diversity.

We do not always see the difference we will make, but every small thing we do means a world to someone else. On a recent trip, Laforet saw firsthand the changes that are happening as a result of Word Vision’s efforts. An older gentleman in Uganda said, “Before World Vision came, we couldn’t take the first step. They helped us take those steps and now we can take all the steps we want. We had no hope. You bring us such hope.”

If you’d like to give hope, visit Famine.ca for more info on what you can do.