Hong Kong Chapter – Famine 30 Event 2017

About the Event

Written by Celine VITTO (FS2016-17, The Education University of Hong Kong)

Fung Scholars’ Facing Famine 30

Year after year, World Vision organises a movement to help end famine. It is even more important due its declaration in South Sudan where there are an estimate of 5 million people facing famine conditions. With such circumstances, the aim for this year’s Famine 30 is to help affected children and families.

What is special in this year’s movement is its format. A Famine Relay is held where participants form a team to skip over 30 meals for 30 consecutive days in the month of April, irrespective of location and time. To form the relay, the Fung Scholars’ Team consisted of 8 scholars and they are Josy LAI (FS2010-11, City University of Hong Kong), Bruce WAN (FS2011-12, City University of Hong Kong), Kelvin LEE (FS2008-09, The Chinese University of Hong Kong), Arcturus TAM (FS2013-14, The Hong Kong University of Science and Techology), Tammy Lam of the Foundation, Celine VITTO (FS2016-17, The Education University of Hong Kong), Karen LEE (FS2016-17, Lingnan University) and Shirley KO (FS2009-10, The University of Science and Technology). These “Famine Fighters” each took turns to skip meals for the entire month. Along with the relay, each team was to raise at least HK$3000. Thanks to the generosity of the foundation, Victor and William Fung Foundation donated half of the target while the team worked on the other half. At the end of April, the entire team raised an accumulated total of HK$3500, all of which would go to help those in need.

Asked about what they experienced during the relay, FS Shirley KO said, “It gave me a sense of satisfaction when I successfully invited my family and friends for sponsorship! It made me realise that you will have it (what you wish for), when you ask for it which is something I find particularly inspiring.” As for FS Josy LAI, the one who initiated that Fung Scholars’ create a team, said that she was reminded of how blessed people live in Hong Kong where people need not worry about food or clean water.

Famine 30 has definitely impacted those who participated in it, recognising that world hunger is a real issue and that each of us can play a role in alleviating it.