From famine to feast:
Student's life changed by event

By Michael Ramsburg
Capital High School

"Change the way you view the world, your ability to impact it and your power to transform it."

These words greeted me as I entered the 30 Hour Famine Web site. Originally, I went there to do some research for an article on some local teens who were participating in the event. It took place this year on Feb. 23-24, but teens can do it any time.

The 30 Hour Famine is a hunger awareness program sponsored by World Vision, one of the nation's largest nonprofit relief and development organizations. It was created to allow teens to feel the hunger pangs that poverty-stricken children feel every day. Teens involved in the 30 Hour Famine raise money to help World Vision establish programs for impoverished children across the globe.

To be honest, I first thought this program was a conspiracy to make money for World Vision. The reality was much different

In return for the teens' hard work to raise money, World Vision was giving 30 Hour Famine participants some really great prizes. If you raised $500 or more, you were also eligible to sign up for the 2001 Overseas Study Tour. World Vision provides all-expense paid trips for teens to see how the money they raise is used.

After reading page after page of information, I knew the 30 Hour Famine was for me.

When the time came, I donned my 30 Hour Famine T-shirt and joined the approximately 600,000 teens from the United States, Canada and other countries who were participating in the event.

At first, I thought not eating for 30 hours and raising $500 would be really easy. What I found was a life-changing event. Below is the journal I kept during my fast.

Friday, Feb. 23

11:47 a.m.

I've just eaten the quickest meal of my entire life! I grabbed a turkey, lettuce and cheese sandwich and frantically devoured it. The whole process was complete in a matter of three minutes. I'm truly surprised I did not get sick. Those who passed by the table where I was sitting with my friends and girlfriend must have thought I was some sort of hog. Oh, well. I am, in fact, not eating for another 30 hours ...

3:02 p.m.

The kickoff of my personal "famine" was quite interesting. It was actually more fun than I expected.

Instead of just sitting around going without food for 30 hours, I thought I might add some "spice" to my fast (no pun intended). I decided to inform the students in my sixth-, seventh- and eighth-period classes about what I was doing.

I planned to tell them a little about the 30 Hour Famine, where the money raised goes and how it is spent. Also, I wanted to show them a five-minute clip from my 30 Hour Famine video about the real famine in Ethiopia.

My sixth-period history class served as the test for my presentation. It had a great effect. After the video stopped, silence fell across the room, followed by a few claps. As I looked around the room, every eye appeared to be wet with grief.

My plan had worked. Not only had I told the students, but I also was actually able to show them why I was participating.

Seventh period turned out to be a little worse. Although I was able to tell the students, I couldn't show them the video because the stupid VCR would not work.

At least my seventh-period teacher let me try to show the video. My eighth-period teacher would not even permit me to tell why I was participating. She insisted there was not enough time because of a shortened class period. It's a little ironic, but the only thing we did in her class besides our warmup was watch part of "Star Wars."

Despite the inconveniences, I still was happy to show at least one class my video. I think the students really learned something from it.

Hunger status: I ate three hours ago, so I feel nothing but a full stomach.

6:07 p.m.

Over the past three hours, I have been collecting famine funds. So far, I have raised a total of $350. I am almost three-fourths of the way to my goal of $500. According to World Vision, for every $100 I raise, I am helping to save the lives of approximately 200 children. So, I have in part helped save approximately 700 kids' lives! I've never been so proud.

Hunger status: Luckily, I was out collecting funds when my mom, dad and little sister were eating. Because I am used to eating at this time, my stomach does feel empty. It isn't that bad, though. If the rest of the famine goes like this, it should be over in a flash.

9:45 p.m.

I've just completed my mini-concert. OK, so maybe it was just popping CDs into a CD player. But, hey, it works for me.

Jamming to some of the hottest Christian contemporary, rock, rap and popular musicians helped renew my faith. It also took my mind off some of the hunger.

Hunger status: My stomach is beginning to growl a little more. The pit in my stomach seems to become emptier as each minute passes.

11:33 p.m.

I have learned so much in the past hour and a half. It is almost unimaginable to comprehend the living conditions of some of the poorest of the poor. Did you know 31,000 kids die daily because of hunger and hunger-related diseases? Neither did I. But from some of the videos and publications I have gone through tonight, I have learned just that.

I have watched a three-part series that examines the lifestyles of some of the world's poorest people. I began the study by taking a quick quiz, which tested my knowledge of the poor. I almost failed. But what I learned from this test will surely remain in my memory.

I learned that most people are poor because of uncontrollable obstacles. "Without basics such as clean water, food, primary health care, education and economic development, people are locked in unhealthy and poor lifestyles that are often passed down from generation to generation," the study guide reads.

This just amazed me. The root of poverty in many undeveloped countries is stuff many Americans take for granted. As I was about to see, the outcome of a lifestyle without the necessities above is enough to make any person sick.

After the test, I completed the study with a three-part video. A study guide that further expanded my knowledge of the poor followed each segment. The first segment examined the daily lifestyles of a family in Ttio, Peru. Ttio is part of the Quiquijana project, funded solely by the 30 Hour Famine.

What I saw made me sick. Little kids ran around innocently with clothes two times the size they were, their dirt-encrusted hands gripping the meager food. One girl peeled a vegetable, throwing the skin on her dirt floor. What I saw next gave me chills: a rat the size of a kitten ran out and grabbed the skin, then hurried back to its hiding place. The kids just watched it. What's more, all this took place in their house.

Session two provided more hope. It detailed the work that funds from the 2000 famine made possible. World Vision has targeted four areas in which to help the people of Ttio: agriculture, health, education and social issues.

With funds from the 30 Hour Famine, World Vision is teaching the people better farming methods and simple preventive health measures. It also is providing access to safe drinking water, involving parents in their children's education as well as improving school conditions and teacher training. Workshops are offered to address self-esteem issues.

The last segment showed me how I could change the world in various ways. I really enjoyed examining how the 30 Hour Famine has made a difference in hundreds of children's lives in many parts of the world.

After completing this "course" on world poverty, I truly understand how ignorant and selfish I am when it comes to hunger and poverty. This past hour and a half has truly been an eye-opener.

Hunger status: My hunger is now becoming a little more intense. My stomach is now continuously rolling about. I have discovered that the growling, as well as some of the pangs, discontinues at the consumption of water or juice. I have also discovered that you get a bit queasy when you drink too much ...

Saturday, Feb. 24

12:17 a.m.

After a period of reflection and a juice "dinner," I feel it is time to retire. I feel awkwardly tired tonight.

This is the first time in my life I have ever gone to bed hungry. I believe I am beginning to understand what thousands, perhaps even millions, of hungry kids feel each and every day. Believe me, it's not a pleasant feeling.

Hunger status: My stomach continues to roll, and it feels quite uncomfortable. Maybe some of the pangs will leave my stomach once I fall asleep.

8:33 a.m.

I woke this morning with incredible pain in my stomach. Each time I inhale a big breath, a jolt of pain runs though my empty stomach. What's more, waking up with the knowledge that I can't eat for nearly 10 hours is quite a nuisance.

As I think about not eating for this period of time, I try to imagine not knowing when my next meal will come. To me, this is almost incomprehensible.

As I prepare for work this morning, I substitute a glass of juice for my normal breakfast. Although it's nothing like an Eggo waffle, it does help ease some pain.

Hunger status: My stomach is in a knot. I am unable to keep the growling noise from happening, which is quite embarrassing when I'm around people. Even worse is the feeling that lingers with each rumble. And it's only been 21 and a half hours.

Noon

Finally, my break time has come. That means only two-and-a-half more hours of work for today.

Usually, this would be the time when I would complain about being overworked and underpaid (in the reality, I get paid pretty well for doing something very simple). Today, however, I've decided to count my blessings.

First off, I'm very fortunate to have a job. Many people, in this country as well as in foreign ones, have no reliable job. As a result, they have no reliable income.

I am also very fortunate to have a job that pays better than $0.07 cents a day. This, as I learned last night, is the average wage of most poverty-stricken people in foreign countries who are fortunate enough to have a job.

As I meditate on this, I truly see how fortunate I am.

Hunger status: Ahhhh! As I watch some of my co-workers chomp on their candy bars, soda pops and sandwiches, I feel like screaming. Thank God (literally speaking) that I do not work in a restaurant that serves food continuously. I would probably die.

My stomach feels 10 times worse than it did at last check. The hollowed remains cry for a crumb of food. I feel like moaning in agony at every rumble.

5:39 p.m.

After completing my work shift at 2 p.m., I raced home to meet my sister. It's not usual for me to want to get home and see my sister. Today, however, is different. Today, she and I are going to complete a special activity that is sure to brighten many saddened faces.

As a community service project for the 30 Hour Famine, my sister and I have decided to make Easter cards for elderly people. We cut Easter-related designs from construction paper, paste them on folded sheets of paper, and enclose brief words of love and encouragement, as well as a Bible verse to brighten the recipient's day.

Because my sister is too young to participate in the 30 Hour Famine, it was actually exciting to get her involved in my campaign to help those who are less fortunate. And, to tell you the truth, I actually had fun. I'm sure the 57 recipients of our Easter cards will be just as happy as we are.

Hunger status: I have never been so hungry in my life. I have often been quoted as stating, "Mom, I starved." This would happen when the faintest emptiness was felt in my stomach. Now, however, is the time I can truly say I am STARVED.

6 p.m.

The long-awaited time has finally come. After 30 hours of fasting, it is now time to chomp down on the delicious taste of a Quarter-Pounder with cheese, large fries and a large Coke from -- where else -- McDonald's.

The past 30 hours have truly been the most intense 30 hours of my life. Never have I thought going hungry could make a person feel so full. But it truly does.

Of all the things I've learned during the 30 Hour Famine, one has stuck in my mind the most. One of the teens chosen to participate in the 2000 Overseas Study Tour to Ethiopia is quoted as saying on a video, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."
Even if I have only touched one person's life by participating in the 30 Hour Famine (my own), it has truly been worth it.

For information on the 30 Hour Famine, visit www.30hourfamine.org or call (800) 7-FAMINE.