World Vision Malaysia has officially launched its 30-Hour Famine 2023 campaign, naming Victor Wong, the overseas-based Malaysian singer-songwriter as its 30-Hour Famine Ambassador.
Victor has been actively involved in humanitarian work for many years and is a strong advocate for children’s rights. This year, he will lend his voice and influence to promote the campaign and encourage more people to join the cause.
“As a Malaysian, I feel very honoured to be this year’s ambassador and I hope we will meet our fundraising target of RM1.6 million. The cause is very special to me, especially as a parent, because we always want our children’s future to be better than ours,” Wong said at the launch held at St Giles Hotel, The Gardens on Friday (24 March).
The 30-Hour Famine is one of the nation’s largest advocacy and fundraising campaigns. It brings together thousands of youth from across the nation to fast for 30 hours straight in solidarity with communities suffering from hunger.
“Experience teaches us to be grateful,” says Wong
As the 30-Hour Famine Ambassador, Wong visited World Vision Malaysia’s community development work in Sabah to experience first-hand the changes taking place on the ground.
“In Mukim Tulid, I met a key community volunteer named Puan Lucia,” he shared. “Although she doesn’t have much materially, she was so passionate about child well-being and child protection, working hard for her community’s children. It was inspiring.”
He added that most city-dwellers live comfortable lives and are often discontent. Urbanites always want more.
“One coffee is not enough, we always want another. But when we experience how others are living every day (and yet they are so happy), it teaches us to be grateful for what we have,” he said, reflecting upon his trip to Sabah.
The slogan for this year’s campaign is “Strike Out Hunger”, and the goal is for 20,000 Malaysians to raise RM1.6 million. Funds raised will help communities in Malaysia, Cambodia, DR Congo, Nepal and Sri Lanka fight hunger and alleviate poverty.
On the local front, funds raised will go towards World Vision Malaysia’s community development work in Sabah and projects supporting vulnerable children and families through SUKA Society and Fugee School.
Poverty goes beyond material and physical needs
At the launch, World Vision Malaysia CEO Terry Leong spoke of how hunger and poverty don’t just affect children in the short-term, but can also result in sustained consequences.
“Hunger and poverty lead to other long-term issues such as malnutrition, the lack of economic opportunity and empowerment, and even child abuse. If we don’t make any effort to stamp it out, the world simply cannot get better,” she said.
Leong also spoke of poverty in spirit, and how choosing to support a cause as meaningful as this sends a message of hope to families and communities working hard for their own futures.
“When a person doesn’t feel acknowledged or affirmed, that’s also poverty… The fact that we’re all here today gives all of us hope that we can make a difference,” she said.
The 30-Hour Famine is now open for registration, and the campaign will close with the Countdown on 13 August at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam.
How can I join the 30-Hour Famine?
For the first time since the pandemic, the 30-Hour Famine will be held fully in person this year. DIY Camps will be held across Malaysia, where you can learn about global issues, hear stories from the ground and fundraise with others.
You can lead a DIY camp, join a DIY camp or fast on your own as you fundraise for children and families fighting hunger and poverty.
There are four types of DIY Camps:
- 30-Hour Famine DIY Camp: join other campers at one location for 30 hours
- 26+4 Famine DIY Camp: join other campers at one location for 26 hours, then spend the last four hours with World Vision Malaysia at the Countdown on 13 August
- 8-Hour Kidz Famine DIY Camp: a child-friendly version for campers below 12 years old, where participants fast for 8 hours
- 8-Hour Famine Family DIY Camp: bring the whole family together and fast for 8 hours
To find out more about the 30-Hour Famine or to sign up as a camper/participant, click here.
World Vision is an international Christian humanitarian organisation dedicated to working with children and families to overcome extreme poverty and injustice. The organisation works to promote human transformation, seek justice for the oppressed and demonstrate the love of God for all people. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.
All photos provided by World Vision Malaysia.
