Curtin Sarawak IChemE Student Chapter goes hungry for a good cause

Miri – 23 August 2016 – 52 student members of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) Student Branch of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) fought off hunger pangs for 30 hours in support of World Vision’s 30-Hour Famine recently.

They ended up none the worse following their ’Curtin Sarawak 30-Hour Famine Camp’ at the university campus and rather were very happy to achieve their ultimate goal of raising funds for World Vision’s projects to combat hunger and poverty in countries across Asia.

Over RM4,000 was raised from the camp, and the students learned a great deal about various issues impacting the region’s poor in the process.

The 30-Hour Famine is Malaysia’s largest annual fundraising-cum-advocacy campaign. Each year, it brings together thousands of young Malaysians in a unified stand against hunger and poverty. This year, an estimated 35,000 young Malaysians are expected to fast for 30 hours in a bid to raise RM3.3 million for the cause.

“Participating in the event helped me understand what it’s like to be hungry. I could feel the hunger pangs and lethargy creep in and I realised that that was what many children across the world experience on a daily basis,” remarked participant Jacqueline Hu.

She said the realisation helped her last the 30 hours, knowing that her effort would somehow make a difference, however small, in their lives.

Camp Leader Darren Gan, meanwhile, said, “The 30-Hour Famine teaches us life lessons by expanding our world view; helping us understand the importance of selflessness, so that others less fortunate can also have the opportunity to experience a better life.”

Dr. Lau Shiew Wei and Dr. Bridgid Chin Lai Fui, academic advisors to the Curtin Sarawak IChemE Student Chapter, both expressed pride in their students’ initiative to give back to society and looked forward to them organising more events of the kind in the future.

Funds raised during the 30-Hour Famine will support World Vision projects helping needy families in the Philippines, India, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, Mongolia and Malaysia tackle poverty by improving access to nutritious food, clean water and better sanitation.

For more information on the Famine Fund or donate to the cause, visit 30hourfamine.my or call World Vision Malaysia at 03-7880 6414.

Students and academic advisor Dr Lau Shiew Wei (centre back row) during the camp.

Participants at the closing session.