World Vision – Why I do the 40 Hour Famine with World Vision to Help South Sudan and Syrian Refugees By Kimberley Crossman
Since the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War eight years ago, more than 5. 6 million people have escaped the dangers of their country according to World Vision and thousands made their way to Jordan where many still reside today in refugee camps.
But they’re not the only ones seeking safety and basic human needs and rights. The South Sudan violent conflict began in 2013, and more than 2 million people have been displaced CNN reports. Thousands also fled to Jordan, as well as to Uganda.
While we can’t rewind the past, we can help restart their future.
Every year since I was in middle school I have taken part in the 40 Hour Famine, run by World Vision. The idea is that you go without something (usually food) for 40 hours and you collect sponsorship from friends and family who will support your efforts. The goal is to gain some perspective of what it is like for people of the same age to go without and how difficult it is. Over the years, the famine itself has developed and changed but the idea remains the same.
For the past two years, the funds raised were to support children who had been affected by the war in Syria. I went to Jordan and visited the refugee camps on the Syrian boarder where World Vision was very active and worked with the team there.
Talking with women and families who had to flee their country and the terror that they encountered was challenging to hear about, let alone live through. Many women had to drug their children to keep them quiet in order to not be found by rebels. Many had to walk through the night, carrying their elders and children who were struggling to walk the long distances. Families were split up or parents shot in front of their children who were then left to find their own way to safety.
While I was there, I saw the refugee camps up close and although they were impressive in their organization and layout, they were far from a comfortable place to live or potentially exist for the foreseeable future.
After installing sanitation, World Vision’s goal was to focus on education and safe spaces for children to be… children. This for me was that moment when I realized that every dollar raised was being used, and so needed. Injecting some form of hope and care in to these little lives that had already seen so much destruction is so important. I made a promise to do everything I can to help these children.
This year the 40 Hour Famine is supporting the refugees of South Sudan in Northern Uganda. Every day hundreds of refugees fleeing terrible violence and drought in South Sudan arrive in Uganda in desperate need. They need food assistance, clean water, health care and education and this is what the 40 Hour Famine will be fundraising for.
If we each play a part in helping, we can make a difference. We stand untied for the children of South Sudan.
It would mean a lot to me and the children in South Sudan if you were able to support my efforts in this year’s 40 Hour Famine and help those who need it the most.