In February 1971, 17-year-old Ruth Roberts and 14 friends staged a “starve-in” in a church basement in Calgary to draw attention to the plight of African children suffering during a continent-wide famine. “We chose to stop eating for a day and a half so we could understand, even in a small way, what those children were experiencing,” recalls Roberts.
The group raised $600 for World Vision to help victims of famine and created a small splash when a local TV station interviewed Roberts. The annual event caught on and soon church youth groups and schools were participating across Canada. In the early 1980s, with World Vision’s support, the 30 Hour Famine became an international fundraiser.
Today—39 years later—more than 100,000 Canadian teens participate annually in the
World Vision 30 Hour Famine through their schools and churches. In 2009 alone, Canadian youth raised more than $4 million. The
30 Hour Famine is now held in 15 countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.
As a World Vision supporter and trailblazer, Roberts often speaks publicly on behalf of the organization. When her own three children were teens, they all participated in the
World Vision 30 Hour Famine, as did Roberts herself a few years ago.
By going without solid food and consuming only water and juice, World Vision 30 Hour Famine participants experience what millions of children face every day. The students increase awareness in their schools, churches and communities about conditions in developing countries, while raising funds for programs that tackle the root causes of poverty.
The
World Vision 30 Hour Famine funds community development projects that tackle some of the root causes of poverty, including the lack of access to nutritious food and clean water, and HIV and AIDS.
Ruth Roberts is proof that one person can make a difference. Thirty-nine years ago, her small band of activists decided to tackle world poverty. Thanks to their efforts, and those who followed them, millions of people in developing countries have clean water, nutritious food, medical care, education and improved quality of life.
“It’s the most important thing I’ve done in my life,” reflects Roberts. “It was such a simple idea—to see what it was like to go hungry. But look what it’s done. It’s just amazing.”
This year, the
World Vision 30 Hour Famine will be held on April 16-17, 2010 and hope is to raise $5 million. For more information visit
Famine.ca.
