World Vision 30 Hour Famine

It was a memorable experience to be part of a family of stomach-too-full people attending 30 Hour Famine held in Penang at Chew Si Kee San Tong (周氏岐山堂), 33 Kimberly Street. Though the event was primarily conducted in Chinese Mandarin I was still able to weed through the technicalities because I have a great translator :)

Deborah Priya Henry, Miss Malaysia 2007,
World Vision Malaysia Children’s Right Advocate and 30-Hour Famine 2008 Angel

World Vision Organization
Funded in the USA in 1950, it is an international relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of God." Working on six continents in over 97 countries, World Vision is one of the largest relief and development organizations in the world. Its revenue in 2008 is at a staggering US$2.6 billion with approximately 26,000 employees worldwide.

World Vision gets their funding from various sources. 40% of which comes from privates sources, including individuals. Another 30% from governments and multilateral aid agencies such as USAID and Department for International Development in the UK. The remaining 30% comes from other World Vision programs (such as 30 Hour Famine) and nonprofit organizations. World Vision's expenditure includes 87% on programs, 8% on fundraising and the other 5% on management and general overhead.

The focus of the organization can be divided into five major areas:

• Emergency Relief: disasters or conflict and who need immediate assistance.
• Education: schools and communities teaching values-based life skills.
• Healthcare: improving health and nutrition, responding to HIV in children.
• Economic Development: debt relief for poor nations, argiculture, water and sanitation.
• Promotion of Justice: speak out on child labor and use of children as combatants in armed conflict.

30 Hour Famine Program
Local event of voluntary fasting or hunger! for 30 hours to raise money and create awareness for world hunger. It is a worldwide event held simultaneously, read this news highlight from TheStar: 12,000 fast 30 hours to help the poor. In my camp, there was about 65 people.

We had fun networking, a lot lot lot of games, some break time, a night concert, qigong walao, time to sleep BUT no food le. From my experience the key learning comes from the experiential learning of being hungry. Never take life too complacent and help others when you have the opportunity to create wealth or earn a good living. To cut it short check out the video below (8:06 minutes long so grab a Durian)



  Famine 30 Aug 21/22 2010 Penang fromshu shan tan on Vimeo

For those who are reading and never attended this program I strongly encourage you to go and be enlightened.
 
After the camp we headed straight for Kochabi haha to have some delicious irresistable Taiwanese Delight. That was nearly 5pm on Sunday. Then I decided to take the Rapid Penang home as it has been nearly 5 years since I last sat in one. Hehe let me tell you that the service has improved tremendously: bus is clean, not stinky, comfortable and brightly lit. Have to say that since the Ministry of Finance has funded the Rapid project it has been flying off pretty well. The one thing that was unsatisfactory was the schedule and timing of the buses, perhaps that is hard to control since traffic is notoriously unpredictable in Malaysia. I would sit the bus again if chance permit me. Anyway it is thumbs up from me~! Visit Rapid Penang for details.