I stumbled upon an article a couple of days back, concerning the rise of world hunger. The piece, as it was written in a weekly periodical, was raising awareness for poverty and world hunger through the setting up of an event, that required people to come and support the cause. The event was for anyone, in the community, to step forward to a 30-hour fast, and experience the pain and suffering the unfortunate beings endure in poverty stricken homes and lives. Now, i'm one who is very much into volunteering and contributing to a good cause, but this however proved pointless.
How does starving myself for 30-hours, help those dying of hunger?
Will my starvation feed hundreds of people suffering from malnutrition? from hunger? or from death?
And it doesn't end there. Anyone who wishes to participate in the cause, has to pay a 20 dollar registration fee. Don't worry, a goodie bag is provided.
I'm hardly convinced that the 20 bucks actually goes to feeding the starving children, let alone the event itself.
It only does to raise awareness.
However I can't fight the feeling of imagining what will actually go down on that day. Let's take a peak through my mind for a moment.
So everyone's huddling up by the venue,in their expensive casual clothings and oversized bags filled with bottles of water perhaps, bumping through excited bodies and chattering people. They all file up in a crooked line to pay their 20 dollars over the counter. Slowly one by one, everyone gathers around a center, with a stage up front. I assume the stage is to keep the participants excited about their 30-hour fast, and hold some events or shows lined up for the 'starving' people. A sir, probably the MC, comes up on stage and commences the beginning of the fast, and everyone roars in applaud. Most likely there would be an opening act followed by a string of shows, acts or performances in support of the cause as well. It's so exciting and exhilarating, the people can't wait to tell everyone in their friends/followers list about what's going down in the event. Out comes the 'smartphone', and statuses go out, pictures are taken and shared on instagram,tweets like "omg!30-hour fast for starving ppl. this is so fun :D" get tweeted, topics such as #fighthungercampaign are trending, and endless videos are streaming on youtube. What an event it is. Almost everyone in the town knows about this cause and are supporting their friends, and even joining in.
Hours pass, and the participants experience real hunger for the first time in their lives. The temptation to run out and grab a full platter of food begs. But they keep their will and fight on. Another load of statuses,tweets, pictures and videos get uploaded. "Getting very hungry and tired. but fighting to raise awareness!gambate! ^-^" (gambate; japanese for what the English would say as 'keep moving forward')
Night falls, people moan and groan, but are still engaged in the performances and gathering just before the last hour. Candles are light, people outside the lines are watching in awe and spectate in such a feat only first-world people would consider an accomplishment.
The minutes are closing in and everyone,though tired and weak from a whole day (and 6 hours) of food deprivation, they slowly rise to their feet and wait for the countdown; the countdown to mark the closing of their effort, participation and contribution to the awareness. And so it goes, 5,4,3,2,1,0.
What happens next?
Everyone rushes with whatever energy they've mustered up and crowd near the banquet and buffet spread out for the VERY hungry participants. They line up, serve themselves and devour the food mercilessly. They leave the venue, satisfied with their contribution, and their now full stomachs.
End of event.
Can i say the same for the starving people in Africa maybe? Or in the slums of India probably?
will they get a banquet of food after their starvation?
After all, they're participating in a lifelong cause. They starve everyday, of every week, of every month and year. Don't they deserve a buffet spread too?
Nevermind me getting all 'save the world' on you, after all, there are causes to support, and marathons to run. Never mind my rant on how this is pointless and that we're not helping poverty stricken people. What's more important than owning a very 'smartphone' and keeping up to date with trends, right? Nevermind causes on the internet, in society, or by friends that require money to be shared among them just to 'raise awareness'. What's a tenner to a starving child anyway?
I'll just stay at home, starve the whole day, and send a 20 dollar check to The World Food Program.
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