Bukit Jalil, 4 APRIL 2024 – Adopting the theme “Right the Wrong”, World Vision seeks to cultivate informed global citizens, focusing on sustainable lifestyles and outlook changes that can impact wider communities rather than solely on the physical experience of hunger.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Terry Leong, Chief Executive Office of World Vision Malaysia said: “Since its inception, the 30-Hour Famine has always championed the issues of hunger and poverty. Over the decades, more challenges such as climate change, conflict, the pandemic, escalating prices and economic instabilities have arisen, all of which add to the poverty-hunger vicious cycle. This inevitably compound to the sense of despair and defeat – that change for the better is near impossible.
“However, we at World Vision think that change is possible. If anything, the escalation of issues today should only spur us to rise above the despair; to explore new ways and means to engage and advocate.”
The World Vision 30-Hour Famine 2024 will highlight that all of us have a choice to make conscious, sustainable changes through routine actions such as reducing food waste, making sustainable food choices, recycling and re-using, which can bring about long-term changes and impact within our immediate circles of influence and beyond.
“Making a difference and impact need not be one grandiose act. It is the everyday action of everyman over time that will bring about lasting change. The key is perseverance and consistency,” commented Leong.
The 30-Hour Famine 2024 will enlist the support of a corps of local artistes who will serve as Changemakers. These influential figures will play a crucial role in raising awareness and driving participation. They are Henn, JE Pong and Joe Chang.
To mark the launch of its 30-Hour Famine 2024, World Vision Malaysia is holding a four-day Famine Mart at Pavillion Bukit Jalil, starting from today. The interactive activity encourages visitors to exercise their right and freedom to choose, and therefore their power to help communities in need.
Additionally, a 30-Hour Famine Festival will be held on 7 and 8 September at Pavilion Bukit Jalil. The two-day Festival will have Pingmin Market as its partner, and will provide Malaysians with more opportunities to engage and support the cause.
This year, World Vision Malaysia hopes to raise RM1.2 million, engaging 10,000 participants in the process. Funds raised will be used to support the organisation’s community development work in DR Congo, and Sri Lanka, providing communities with Health & Nutrition and Livelihoods Assistance. Funds will also support the United Nations World Food Programme.
Locally, the funds will benefit World Vision Malaysia’s community development work in Sabah as well as One Goal Malaysia’s Eat Right to Play Right Programme which seeks to combat child malnutrition through sports.
The 30-Hour Famine’s founding partner is Sin Chew Daily, its media partners are MY, MELODY, GOXUAN and Cahaya Sin Chew, and its online media partner is XUAN. The official venue sponsor is Pavilion Bukit Jalil and the festival partner is Pingmin Market. The principal sponsors are HELP University and SEIKO, and Hock Moon Hiong is a major sponsor.
For more information about the 30-Hour Famine, please visit https://30hourfamine.worldvision.com.my/.