SHS students go hungry

Jenna Campbell

Times Junior Reporter

 

Several Strathmore High school students decided to go hungry to help those who do not have access to clean drinking water. With nearly half of the world’s population not having access to this life-giving resource, the students decided to take part in the 30 Hour Famine which is  the world’s largest youth fundraiser. The famine required the students to not eat for thirty hours, beginning at 1 p.m. on April 7, and finishing at 7 p.m. on April 8. The famine gave the students an idea of what it is like to go to bed hungry and wake up hungry.

“I’ve never done (a famine) before, it’s definitely a lot different. I don’t feel hungry at all,” said SHS student, Keegan Schultz near the end of his thirty hours. Schultz has been greatly involved with SHS’s Me to We program, with all fundraised going to Free the Children. This year’s direction focused on tackling fresh water issues, with all of the money raised going towards building wells, pumps, drilling boreholes and building safe water storage. 

Exceeding expectations, the students raised well over four thousand dollars, surpassing their goal of only one thousand dollars. 

“It has been a project that we’ve as a group been working on all year. We’ve had a bake sale and sold candy grams, but this is definitely our biggest and most successful fundraiser we’ve had all year,” said SHS student Sarah Harward.  

The 30 Hour Famine has been challenging students to go without food so others can eat for 20 years. 

SHS teacher, Christine Magill said, “I did the 30 hour famine when I was in high school. I also have a friend who’s actually a World Vision rep right now, so she came and guest spoke to my social classes, and then met with the Me to We club at lunch. She encouraged them to take up the famine.”

The students celebrated the end of their thirty hours with movies, games, and supper thanks to sponsors which included Domino’s, Dairy Queen and No Frill’s. Having all of the students final fees taken care of, all of the money raised was able to go directly to charity.

For more information about the famine, visit www.famine.ca or www.freethechildren.com.