(From right) Leong and Wong during the 30-Hour Famine launch in Kuala Lumpur.
A HUMANITARIAN organisation launched a fundraising campaign for children affected by poverty and hunger.
Called “30-Hour Famine”, the annual event was organised by World Vision Malaysia (WVM).
The organisation’s slogan this year is “Strike Out Hunger”, to encourage people nationwide to participate.
WVM chief executive officer Terry Leong said the organisation aimed to make a difference in poverty and world hunger.
“We believe that the 30-Hour Famine will increase awareness among people as well as encourage them to donate,” she said.
The RM1.6mil that WVM hopes to raise will be used to support its community development work in Cambodia, DR Congo, Nepal and Sri Lanka by providing health, nutrition and livelihood assistance as well as water, sanitation and hygiene assistance.
Locally, the funds will also benefit WVM’s community development work in Sabah and projects that support vulnerable children and families through SUKA Society and Fugee School.
WVM ambassador, singer- songwriter Victor Wong, hopes WVM reaches the RM1.6mil target so it can make a difference for the children.
Wong will also participate along with other members of WVM.
The campaign is now open for registration and participants need to fast for 30 hours while raising funds from their family and friends.
People can register as individual participants, who can fast anytime and anywhere, raise funds and learn about global issues based on the materials provided.
Children up to 12 years old can sign up for the child-friendly version – the 8-Hour Kidz Famine – in which they will participate in age-appropriate activities to learn about global issues, in addition to fasting for eight hours.
Families can fast together in the 8-Hour Family Famine, which has no age limitation.
The 30-Hour Famine will culminate in a countdown on Aug 13 this year at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam, where 20,000 participants are expected to congregate.
WVM was set up in 1997 as a support office within the partnership of World Vision Interna-tional.
This year’s campaign is sponsored by BE International, HELP University and Seiko.
For more details, visit 30hourfamine.worldvision.com.my
