Take part in the Concern Christmas fast

'Tightening your belt' can mean something else in Kenya.

What do you mean, not eat for a full day?! It’s pretty tough, but I’m going to try…

By giving up food for just 24 hours and asking friends to support them, thousands of people and schools around Ireland raise over €1 million annually for the Concern Worldwide Christmas fast. It’s amazing what can be achieved in just one day.

923 million people around the world go to bed hungry every night. This means that 25,000 people die from hunger every single day. I can’t even imagine this, but I know one thing:it is totally unacceptable. I can’t believe that on an ordinary day in Ireland, just like today; there are so many people dying from hunger elsewhere.  I know I can’t solve this massive problem on my own, but I can try to play my own small part:I can do the Concern fast on December 4th. 

Concern’s priority is tackling world hunger and the money raised by their Christmas fast will feed young children who are hungry and malnourished.  During a time of alarming rises in food prices, food shortages and weather disasters, the proceeds of the fast will make sure that people eat healthy, nutritious food and that they don’t go to bed hungry every night. 

The Concern team in Kenya met a lady called Ilo. She hadn’t eaten in three days and when they spoke to Ilo the team learnt that she ties her scarf around her waist to try to ease her hunger pangs. This red scarf is the image that Concern is focusing on in the Concern Christmas fast 2008. At a time when we’re all being asked to tighten our belts in Ireland, it’s important that we think of Ilo tightening her scarf around her waist - for a totally different reason. 

I’m fasting on December 4th this year.  I’m joining Concern in their battle with hunger. I’m going to help save lives. I’m going to show my concern and fast. 

By: Natalie MacDermot

To join the Concern Christmas fast go to www.concernfast.org now.