30 Hours to Change the World

The 30 Hour Famine is the world's biggest youth fund-raiser. Go hungry for a day and help save lives around the globe.

Who knew you could do all that in just 30 hours?

This Year You Decide Where The Money Go

Over 26,000 children under the age of five die every day from malnutrition. By funding Food & Nutrition programs, you'll help communities around the world receive the education, tools and supplies they need for a healthy future.

Every child deserves a happy, healthy childhood. But many children live in a world where prostitution, rape, forced acts of violence and a life on the street are all too real. Funds raised for child protection programs help traumatized children receive an education, skills, opportunities and, most importantly, hope.

Tens of millions of kids around the world don't even get a basic education. War, displacement, poverty or a need to work rob them of the chance at a better future. By choosing Education as your cause, your 30 Hour Famine funds will build and fix schools, provide uniforms, books and supplies and hire much-needed teachers.

Almost half the world's population doesn't have enough water for drinking and sanitation. This leads to poor health and disease, an inability to grow enough crops, and a host of other issues. By dedicating your 30 Hour Famine to Water programs, you'll help provide desperately needed clean water to thousands of people.

Stories From The Field

Ngon's Story

A story of trafficking and sexual exploitation.

At the age of 15, with her mother pregnant and her father ill with hepatitis, Ngon accepted a waitress position at a coffee shop in her home town of Siem Reap, Cambodia. Though she soon learned it was really a front for a brothel, she was so desperate for money for her family that she stayed. As a sex worker, life was brutal. The shop owner took half of any money she made, her customers were often drunk

and violent, and many didn't pay her at all. No matter how sick or tired she was, she had to work every night. After almost a year, police raided the shop and Ngon was freed and given a place at World Vision's Trauma Recovery Center. She received counseling and the job training she needs to fulfill her dream. "I want to open a small business, selling mixed fruit, rice soup or rice and coffee..."

Kalkidan's Story

How a nutrition training program saved her and her siblings' lives.

Under the fierce sun in Ethiopia, 15 women have gathered for their weekly World Vision Essential Nutrition Package training. Amaru Zeleke is there with her four-year-old daughter Kalkidan, who was near death a few months ago.

Kalkidan is now healthy because her mother learned about disease-reducing hygiene and basic nutrition.

"Now I give the children potato, cabbage, rice, beet root, eggs and barley," boasts Amaru. "I still don't have a lot of money but now I know I have to give them different foods. I am minimizing other costs to make sure I can give them the food that they need."

Saving Ka

A young Cambodian girl escapes a life of prostitution thanks to people like you.

Ka lived on the streets and helped her family survive by scavenging cans and begging. She was five years old. After leaving home a few years later, she became one of the thousands of kids in Cambodia tricked into a life of sexual slavery. A brothel owner forced her to serve five or ten men a night for years. Luckily, she was finally freed and taken to World Vision's Trauma Recovery Project.

There she received job-skills training and counseling for her body, mind and spirit. Today, she says: "I can see light coming into my life and I can think about the future."

Chakriy's Story

A 17 year old orphan from Cambodia who was given a second chance by someone like you.

Chakriy is a 17 years old orphan from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After her parents died of AIDS, her uncle began abusing her. Like other girls in her situation; desperate for money, food, and shelter, she became trapped working in the sex industry. After two years as a sex worker, Chakriy was lured into a house where ten men forced her to have sex with them at the same time. She was finally

set free after a police raid. Chakriy was treated at the World Vision Trauma Recovery Center and received vocational training. Now she has a bright future. She says, "I have let my sorrow go like a balloon and now I am starting my new life."

Where Does Famine Money Go

Because of people who supported last year's 30 Hour Famine, millions of dollars were raised to save lives around the globe.

In North Sudan, the Famine built 20 new classrooms, provided school supplies and bought uniforms for 350 students.

In Cambodia, the Famine saved hundreds of exploited girls through programs that both guard against child trafficking and help to bring offenders to justice.

In Uganda, Famine supporters fed thousands of starving children by providing agricultural education and farming tools to 800 families.

Where the money went in 2009

Last year more than 81% of the funds received by World Vision Canada went to programs that combat poverty and help children and communities in need.

This year, for the first time ever, you can choose where the money goes.

What You Can Do

Famine 411

The 30 Hour Famine is the biggest youth fundraising event in the world. It changes the world, and the lives of those who take part. To be a difference, just collect donations and then experience hunger for yourself by skipping food for 30 hours.

Collect
Donations Online

You’re changing the world so you might as well connect to as much of it as you can! Create an online profile that says who you are, why you’re doing Famine and your fundraising goal.

Need ideas on getting donors?

When you’re saving the lives of children, every dollar is huge. Please ask everyone you know to help. Talk to friends, family, relatives and neighbors. You could even start a Facebook page, a blog, or use Twitter to get the word out.Fundraising Tips