hungry4change Fast
Oxfam Canada considers fasting a symbolic act. It is a reminder that we live in a world where food and resources are not distributed equally. Fasting is a powerful tool to protest political injustice and bring about social change.
Participate in the 1st annual Fast to mark World Food Day 2008!
How it works
Participants collect pledges to go without food for a specified amount of time. The hungry4change Fast can range from 6 to 30 hours depending on the group's age and the nature of your event.
The hungry4change Fast challenges participants to learn about the politics of hunger and to make an active commitment to our neighbours in Canada and around the world who are hungry. The experience of fasting provides participants with first-hand knowledge of what it feels like to be hungry.
Who can participate?
You. Year after year, Oxfam Canada's effectiveness depends on people like you - on campuses, in schools, communities, churches, synagogues, mosques contributing to the fight against poverty. These battles are often waged in humble settings like parish basements and in community centres, yet their collective impact is enormous. Together we can change the world.
'A hungry man is not a free man Adlai E. Stevenson
Here's what some participants had to say about Oxfam's hungry4change Fast:
'Everything went really well! We had a great time, about 90 kids ended up showing (though over 100 paid), and we watched movies, danced salsa, played lots of volleyball, sang karaoke and about 1000 other things. Alex Nataros came and talked to the entire group, which was really great, as well as he put on a quick Fair Trade workshop that I was impressed with.
All of our kids and volunteers were really cooperative, and I think that helped alot. We also had a really involved talent show, where teacher volunteer's kids played us songs on the piano; I even lead a group singalong of Bohemian Rhapsody. I didn't last longer than 2am, but alot of kids stayed up all night and even helped us make a huge pancake breakfast in the morning. We were able to raise about $2500 dollars. So it was definitely worth all the planning, and we are proud of what our group accomplished this year! Thanks for your continuous support and advice throughout the entire thing.
Sara Wylie 3rd WAG
Port Moody Secondary School
"The hungry4change 24 hour fast is great because it opens your mind to what it would be like to starve. You think you can go a whole day without eating, but it really is much more difficult. You gain an appreciation for those living in developing countries suffering through famine. Simulating this hunger helps me understand their situation, and makes me want to help these disadvantaged people."
Annie Grade 11
Port Moody Secondary School
'hungry4change is always a great experience at our school. It has become an annual tradition that everyone can look forward to; not for the fasting, but for the time spent together for a unified cause. Everyone works together and tries to take their mind off the pain in their stomach, and it eventually becomes a fun night. The hunger part is a learning experience so we better understand what it is like in impoverished countries. But the organizers worked hard to keep many events going all night and no one gets any sleep. This kind of event is rare and valuable for us as students, who are wanting to make a difference but have fun along the way."
Kristin Grade 12
Port Moody Secondary School
"My favorite thing aboutthe fastwas the timewe got to spend withour friends, always keeping in mind the purpose of the event. We would be having a great time in the gym, or singing karaoke, or dancing, and it would be so great even though we were starving. The most important part ofit wasthat we were all there together, trying to make the best of it."
Mark Grade 10
Port Moody Secondary School
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