I know that the title is a little bit confusing. Of course, all of us know what it’s like to be “hungry.” We experience it on a daily basis. After breakfast, into late morning, you’re sitting at your desk and suddenly your stomach starts growling. Your thoughts drift into the land of pizza and macaroni, the clock starts ticking even slower as your mind drools. “I wish it were lunch time,” you think to yourself. This is being hungry, right?
Recently, I participated in the 30-Hour Fast at my school. I remember participating in it once before during middle school, although the event was organized by World Vision. This time, one of our own teachers took the time to create the forms and sign up all the students, as well as collecting food donations for the food bank. There are plenty of less-fortunate individuals in Calgary who could use this support, as for some these donations mean survival. But I thought back to the first time I participated and collecting donations for those in third world countries. I thought about how I didn’t truly understand the cause I was supporting at that time.
In many third world countries, being hungry doesn’t mean not being able to eat for 30 hours. It might mean not being able to eat for 300 hours. Any food that’s come by doesn’t last long, and it usually isn’t prepared under the most sanitary conditions. Although, these thoughts are quickly sacrificed as many orphans and homeless families cling on to every grain as if it were the last drop of life.
I must admit that I didn’t feel overwhelmingly hungry throughout the duration. (Most likely because the first day I drank 2L of water and juice, then slept for 10 hours.) The only real physical effect was how tired and lethargic my body felt. Climbing up the stairs at school became a challenge and my eyelids felt like they were attached to weights. Then I tried putting myself in another child’s shoes. I imagined walking for over ten kilometers a day, with water buckets weighing over 15 pounds in my hands or on my shoulders, being abused by the sun’s rays without proper eye or skin protection. I thought about then bringing that water home and having to drink it despite the filth or parasites hiding within. Then I thought about doing that every single day on an empty stomach. And it made me feel guilty that in about six hours I would be able to eat again, but most people in those situations didn’t have that luxury. Although, that did not stop me from enjoying food when I finally could. After the fast we were provided with snacks, and I must say that food has never tasted better. You truly don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
Mostly, it made me realize just how lucky I am that I can even complain about being hungry. When you’re truly hungry, it’s the last thing you want to think about, because once you do it starts to consume you and slow you down. Being truly hungry means not allowing yourself to be hungry at all and just keeping yourself distracted to get through another day.
Perhaps my little story has provoked you to take an initiative. If you would like to participate in the 30-Hour Fast, I’m sure most schools organize it. If not, you can start it up yourself. Otherwise, try to make some sort of difference in another person’s life. It could be as simple as donating two cans of soup to your local food bank. Should you wish to expand your help further, you can donate to Free the Children, World Vision, or simply check out my article on freerice.com!