Do you know what it’s like to be hungry ... really hungry?925 million people around the world know what it’s like to go hungry – Every. Single. Day. That’s just not right. And what’s worse is that it’s happening right next door.
The Asia Pacific region is home to over half the world’s population; it is also home to two-thirds of the population who know what it’s like to go to bed hungry.
Abito is seven, and he knows all about what it’s like to be
really hungry. He lives in East Timor where between harvest times there isn’t much food to go around. This is known as the hungry season.
Every day Abito’s family grind up sago trees
(yes, trees), and mix it with water to keep the hunger pains away; they call this akar. Akar is not bad to eat – but when it’s the only thing to eat you don’t get many nutrients. Abito says when he only eats akar he runs out of energy.
Chronic hunger doesn’t just mean you don’t feel too great, it also means you can become malnourished. The effects of this are real; they last a lifetime. Children like Abito can experience delayed development and learning ability, as well as wasting (low weight for height) and stunted growth (low height for age).
So what can you do?
Join our self-made superhero The Strike in the fight against hunger, check out his video below. The Strike is an everyday schoolkid who decided to do something real by taking on global hunger.
But you don’t have to be a superhero to help out, just a not-so-ordinary hero who is willing to give up something you love for 40 hours, sponsor someone you know, or even just help spread the word!
And don’t forget – get your family and friends involved in sponsoring the 40 Hour Famine. Try telling them this little fact: $40 can feed a family of five for a month.
Help us fight world hunger for kids like Abito by supporting the 40 Hour Famine.
Sign-up for the 40 Hour Famine now