30 Hour Famine

On a warm Sunday in May, students from Orange County, CA made a difference halfway around the world in Malawi, Africa!  This year’s 30 Hour Famine was a huge success, not just because students raised money to build a well in Malawi, but because they were able to bring Malawi into the hearts and minds of the entire Newsong Irvine community.

Students were unleashed to serve all over Newsong on Sunday, especially in the HUB, as they created a number of experiences to educate people and allow them to join in making a difference in Malawi.

• Malawian Food – Students cooked a meal of pineapple marinated chicken, nsima, and vegetable ndiwo.
• Banners 2 Bags – Old Newsong banners are turned into bags and sold for $50.  Each bag provides for 4 mosquito nets to fight malaria!
• Coloring Station – Children were able to color the Malawian flag and a map of Africa, among other options.
• Plumpy Nut – This protein rich peanut butter mixture is used with severely malnourished children.  People were able to try a sample and watch a video about  this life-changing food.
• Water Pump – People were able to experience what it is like to pump water with our very own water well!
• Make a Bracelet – Students made bracelets out of beads and mosquito netting to remind people to pray for Malawi.

Students were also challenged to think about money in their own lives different.  After learning that 2/3 of the world lives on $2 a day, we gave each student $5 (I know, we’re generous) to buy a new wardrobe at a thrift store and food at a grocery store.  After the shock of the task on such a small budget, they definitely succeeded in their goal.  Thanks to a Mother’s Day sale, all of the clothes were 50% off and they were very creative in compiling their money to buy food that would provide a balanced diet on a budget.  The food was later donated to the Orange County Rescue Mission.  Some of their insights to this experience were amazing.  One girl shared, “I have bought jeans that were $70, and when you gave us $5, I was thinking that I couldn’t even buy earrings for $5!”  As they shopped next to families who were shopping at the thrift store for real, it made them think about the sacrifices that many families are forced to make and how they make judgments about those without new, name brand clothes.  It was a huge lesson on how much they have and what is truly important in life.

So far we have collected $5659.16, which puts us very close towards our goal of $6,200 for a well in Malawi!  A big thank you goes out to April Diaz, Cami Jung, Teresa Kwon, Y-Malawi, and the rest of the Student Ministries volunteer staff!