Survive the World Vision 40 Hour Famine
By doing the 40 hour famine you are helping starving people worldwide. This article is about how to get through it and get the most out of this experience. You can choose to give up food, furniture or technology, but this article is mainly about those choosing to give up food.
Steps
- Three weeks before:
- See if you are eligible to participate. If you are 12 years or under you can do the 8 hour famine, but not the 40. It is suggested that if you have any health conditions you don't participate. Choose to give up something else, like furniture or technology, instead.
- Sign up to do it, either on the website or with a group leader.
- Two weeks before:
- Start collecting donations from people. I would suggest keeping the money in a zip lock bag or similar to avoid losing it. Write each donation in your little 40 hour famine booklet you would have received when you signed up.
- If you want to, organize with your other friends who are also participating to have a sleepover that weekend. It may help to take your mind off your hunger.
- A few days before:
- Buy packets of barley sugars--You are allowed 1 every 4 hours during the famine.
- Visit the 40 hour famine website and read the health and safety guidelines. Know what you should and should not do during the famine.
- The day before:
- Visit a library and borrow some books, or rent some movies, to help take your mind off of your hunger.
- Half an hour before:
- Have a large meal with lots of protein and wholegrain carbs. Eat foods that are going to keep you full for longer. Eat slowly, take your time.
- During the famine:
- Make sure you are keeping your fluids up by drinking plenty of water, mineral water, fruit juice or tea.
- Get plenty of sleep, as you will feel lethargic and tired from lack of food.
- Suck on 1 barley sugar every 4 hours
- It is suggested that you don't do any activity that is too strenuous during the famine.
- Distract yourself with books and movies.
- When you finish:
- Congratulate yourself on getting through it, and for helping hungry children.
- Don't eat a massive meal and overstuff yourself. Start off small (think a sandwich, piece of fruit, small bowel of pasta) and gradually work yourself back into your normal eating patterns.
- Count up how much money you raised. You can still continue to collect donations after the famine is finished.
- Put all your raised money in a small zip lock bag and hand it to your group leader or send it through the appropriate channels.
Tips
- Participating with friends helps you get through it a lot easier.
- Avoid being near food so you're not tempted
- Don't count down the hours till it finishes--It just seems to go on a lot longer if you do this.
Warnings
- Avoid getting dizzy and feeling faint by drinking plenty of water, even if you don't feel like it. As long as you don't drink too much, water will ease the hunger pangs and keep you hydrated.
