Students at Mount Aspiring College (MAC) are turning the 40 Hour Famine initiative on its head this year by offering 40 hours of service in the Upper Clutha community between June 5 and 7.

The World Vision 40 Hour Famine is a popular global fundraiser where students give up something for 40 hours - often food, sometimes things like electricity or a cell phone - in order to raise money for charity and better understand the things we may take for granted.

But recent global events have inspired MAC students to dig deeper this year by choosing to spend 40 hours helping out in the community. 

“We have seen this opportunity in the wake of COVID-19; we want to make the largest positive impact possible through our participation in the famine,” student Emily Heath said. 

Money raised through this year’s fundraiser will help support people in Malawi, Africa, where many are struggling to adapt to the pressures of a changing climate as well as cope with the pandemic. 

“Not only will we be raising money that will support families in Malawi fighting climate change as well as COVID-19, but at the same time we will also be helping our local community in our own recovery from COVID-19 and the impact it has had,” Emily said. 

Students will help Te Kakano with a planting project, among other things.

Senior leaders at MAC (Year 12-13 students) will be completing community service within their committees as part of the 40 Hour Famine, Emily said. 

The MAC academic committee has recognised that online school may have been challenging for some students, and is offering 40 free tutoring sessions to junior students to lend a helping hand.

The service committee is completing 40 collective hours of picking up rubbish within the community, and working with Te Kakano on a tree-planting project.

Emily said students want people in the community to know the students are available to help the community in response to COVID-19. 

“If there is anything we can help you with on the weekend of June 5-7, contact us on the email [email protected],” Emily said. 

“Whether you have an elderly neighbour or friend who hasn’t managed to stack their wood or mow their lawns during lockdown, or whether there is something we can do to help get your business back on its feet let us know because we want to help.”

The students are aiming to raise $12,000 for Malawi. Learn more, or donate, here.

PHOTO: Supplied