30-hour famine – I Survived! – Part 1

Your weekend, Their Lives” – this was this year’s theme for the 30-hour famine camp, that i went last weekend (14 oct – 15 oct 2006).

The banner of 30-hour famine

This camp was organized by World Vision Malaysia. World Vision is a non-profit organization. The purpose of this 30-hour famine camp is to raise fund to help children in crisis. Funds raised will go to the World Vision Uzbekistan Children in Crisis Rescue Project and local children crisis programmes. The venue for the camp was at HELP Institute University College.

The participants of 30-hour famine

There were about 470++ people attended the camp compare to last year which had 260++ people. The youngest participant was only 12 years old, while the eldest was 62 years old. The 62 years old uncle was my group member. I salute him.

62 year-old Uncle and Wan Shen

The 30-hour famine started at 12pm 14 October 2006 and ended 6pm 15 October 2006. All participants registered and get the goodies bags before 11.30am. The goodies bag contains the products of some sponsors. One free t-shirt was given to each of us and will wear it for the whole 30-hour famine. 3 bottles of mineral water were given to each of us too. Then check in own luggage at the room that allocated for us.

Everyone is busy checking in the luggage
Everyone is busy checking in the luggage

12pm sharp. The 30-hour famine begin with a briefing and introduction to our Emcee and camp leaders.

Emcee of the camp
He is William, do you know him?

We were all assigned to groups and will stay in groups till the end.

The camp then continued with Ice Breaking Session. We were instructed to run here and there to finish the given tasks in particular time. It’s like amazing race kinda game.

Ice breaking - Wrap the egg with straws and rubberband and not to break it
We are suppose to wrap the egg with straws and rubberband, then throw it to an assigned point without breaking the egg. But… things just happen… we haven even wrap the egg, and it breaks.

Ice Breaking - Find 5 leaves with different shapes and sizes
Find 5 leaves with different shapes and sizes

Ice breaking - shot paper bullets into the bowl
Shoot paper bullets into the bowl

Ice breaking - shot paper bullets into the bowl
Everyone trying their best to shoot paper bullets into the bowl.

After the ice breaking session, we were brought back to the main hall, where the opening ceremony begun.
I dont think you people are interested in opening ceremony, it was boring. Speech by big people, sponsors, HELP’s president ..etc etc.

But, i respect them, so… here you go. A picture of Paul Chan – HELP’s President.
Paul Chan - HELP's President

After the speech, we were then shower by a lot of talks. The topics covered mostly on children, like child prostitute, child labour, poverty, differently-abled children, HIV/AIDS etc etc.

We were given break time in between the talks. We had no where to go, so, just take pictures and chit chatting around. Things seems going quite smooth and on schedule.

Me and wan shen's friends
Me and Wan Shen’s Friends. I look horrible, i had flu. Heavy one. Was flu since friday. Terribly flu and headache at the same time.

Me and my group members
Me and my group members. They all were younger than me. Still below 20.

38 gang
3 8 gang ! The couple left the camp after 6hours of fasting. The girl said she cant stay anymore and already tried her best.

Naughty Girls
2 Naughty girls, betray the team leader. Haha

Chris
Chris – Wan shen’s friend

Alright, back to the talks. Boring talks were over. We were all divded into bigger groups for other talks. There was this particular talk, seems very interesting. The topic was on prevention (AIDS). The speaker actually did a demonstration on how to wear a condom. He was damn funny.

Caution: This is a 2-min video. It might take u long time to load. Since you already know how to wear a condom, skip this la :p

Beside that, he also demonstrated how to put on girl’s condom. Most of the people in the room did not seem to know there was actually girl’s condom. They all seems surprised, and that surprise me.
Demo on how to wear a girl's condom
Yeah, girl’s condom was actually very big in size.

We also get the chance to listen to the experience of a HIV + mother. She came and shared her story.
HIV + Mother came and share her story

The talks went on and on till 8pm. We were given another briefing that time regarding where we were going to sleep and what we can do at night.

Because 9pm onwards, we were freed. No more talks and you can either sleep or walking around the campsite. There was concert prepared for us, it started 9pm. They invited Sarimah. Pretty good. There was a movie – “Turtle can fly” arranged for us at 11.30pm too, but that was also optional.

Sarimah at the concert
Sarimah In the concert.

Me and Wan shen did not stay for the concert, as i was super headache, i need to eat panadol. Wan Shen’s friend – Chris suggested we should go to mamak stall to eat. He said he was damn hungry and he was giving up to stay overnight. Since me and Wan Shen got no where to go, we followed him.

Chris Sneak out for food !
Chris sneak out for food.

He was trying to persuade us to eat. But never succeed. I had a cup of hot milo and ate panadol. I felt better at the mamak there, because it was not crowded.

At about 11.30pm, Chris sent us back to the camp and we went straight to sleep.

The sleep area was not very big, and everyone sleep on the floor. (Like I have choices) Guy’s sleeping area was at another block. We do not sleep together.. OK?

Sleeping area
Everyone must prepare own sleeping bag, else no one willl pity you.

Since Wan shen’s friends all went home, we have extra sleeping bag for ourself. Hehehe

And there, we survived our 1st day. 12 hours of fasting. Without food and drinking only plain water. (yea i had milo, because i need to take medicine.)

We survived the 1st day
Picture taken b4 we sleep.

Stay tuned for part two. Thank you.