The 20th 30 Hour Famine Hero Rally that commenced on August 15 will conclude at 18:00. Over 16,000 participants assembling at the Multipurpose Gymnasium of National Taiwan Sport University have already gone without food for nearly 30 hours and engaged in a series of informative and inspiring activities. The event is closing with a star-studded concert to inspire the crowd to keep going strong in their support for the world’s poor.

Over NT$47 million was raised at the Hero Rally for World Vision’s Typhoon Morakot response yesterday, including coins collected from the participants in a friendly competition that totaled NT$353,202 and NT$47,167,866 from a telethon held last night.

As the event turned to the second day, presentations on critical global issues were delivered, and more celebrities took to the stage such as the First Lady, Heavenly Melody, and Cardinal Bishop. When the 30 hours come to an end, participants will go home with an empty belly, but also with hearts and minds filled with what they have experienced throughout the event.

First Lady Chow Mei-Ching, who has participated in the rally since yesterday, drew participants’ attention to the plight of refugees in Africa.

Mrs. Chow reviewed a book “The Suitcase Stories: Refugee Children Reclaim Their Identities” published in Chinese by Faces Publications. The book highlights the experiences of 16 refugee children who have fled to South Africa from several African countries involved in armed conflicts.

She shared portions of the book that most moved her and reflected on what they mean to her.

“The children in this book are about your age,” Mrs. Chow said to the participants who are mostly young people. “In the last 5-10 years, they have lived a refugee life without the company of their family, have no one to turn to, have no purpose for life, and feel so lonely and afraid.”

“You came here to experience hunger. After 30 hours, you know you have food to eat, but these children don’t. You are here accompanied by your friends, but they are alone. Physical hunger can be endured, but spiritual emptiness is unbearable.”

She told participants, “When you encounter a difficulty in the future, please think about people who are faced with difficulties far beyond imagination. When you experience a hard time, be strong. When you see people in need, do your best to help them.”

Ten percent of the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine campaign. The donation will be used to support displaced people in Sri Lanka, Pakistan and other countries in Africa and Middle East.

SETTV news anchor Lee Jing-Yu shared her experience of visiting another war-torn country, Armenia, where she visited with a delegation from World Vision in 2008.

Lee said, “Armenia, located between Europe and Asia, has been occupied and invaded by different neighboring countries over the centuries. Lasting conflicts and a genocide in 1915 have displaced millions of people and crippled its economy. They are a people deeply hurt.”

She shared the hardships the Armenian people are experiencing and then led participants in a “six-second blessing” activity, which represents the fact that a child dies of hunger in every six seconds. Participants were requested to send out a short message via cell phone.

The message says, “Dear friend, I’m attending the 30 Hour Famine right now. I want to share with you how touched I have been and invite you to join me to speak up for children in need around the world.”

Earlier today singing group Heavenly Melody and Doris Brougham presented several beautiful and lively songs that express love, hope and blessings for this land and all people of the world.

His Eminence Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-Hsi, S.J. also made an appearance to encourage participants. He was diagnosed with cancer three years ago and told by his doctors he could only live for a few more months. However, he has spent almost two years touring Taiwan to share with people what life truly means.

Cardinal Bishop Shan said, “When I saw many young people gathering here and showing great compassion toward the poor, I know there is hope for our society, our country and the entire world. You are the hope.”

He referred to the name of a book You Can Change the World and encouraged young participants to change the world.

“In the 21st century, this world, despite all the advanced and developed technologies, still has immense problems like hunger, war, and violation of human rights. Young friends, no matter what you want to be in the future, I hope you will not only think about yourself. You need a big goal, a world vision, and fulfill the goal step by step. No matter what talents you have, use it and do you part, you can change the world.”

The 30 Hour Famine is more than a fundraising campaign. Over 20 years it has been a vehicle of life education for youths and adults. Through the 30 Hour Famine many lives have been transformed.

Chan Nan, a university freshman, participated in the Hero Rally as an IT volunteer and spent his 19th birthday at the event. What he experienced has made a deep impact on him. He said only through the 30 Hour Famine could one experience what life is like for the less fortunate.

When asked what he felt about the rally, he said, “It’s very touching! I will continue to participate in the 30 Hour Famine.” He will also respond to World Vision’s call to volunteer in the typhoon affected areas.

Alex Gahigi, a beneficiary from Rwanda, was touched by how donors in Taiwan were making sacrifices to contribute to Rwanda and other countries.

“We, as recipients, tended to take people’s donations for granted,” said Alex, “We thought the money was easy, but it wasn’t. I saw people here sacrificing themselves. They decided to go hungry and sleep in a poor condition, just to feel how people on the other side of the world feel. I’m very touched.”

Alex added, “More importantly, you are making a sacrifice for someone you don’t know! Amazing! Usually you sacrifice for someone you know – your family, neighbor, someone you have a connection with.”

Now, he is trying to give back the goodwill by helping others in his neighborhood. When he has food, he feeds children who are hungry. He lends his carpentry equipments given by World Vision to those who have learned the skill but don’t have equipments. After receiving support and experiencing the famine event, his life has been transformed.

In the last two hours, 30 Hour Famine Ambassador Wang Lee-Hom and other pop artists including Aska Yang, Lala, Biung, Tanya, Soda Green, Van Fan, Khalil Fong will perform at a Sunset Concert to close this year’s 30 Hour Famine Hero Rally.

For the Typhoon Morakot Response, World Vision is appealing for NT$500 million for short-term relief activities and long-term rehabilitation efforts. In addition, the 30 Hour Famine aims to raise NT$170 million to support children and families affected by hunger, HIV and AIDS, war, natural disasters and emergencies both domestically and internationally