Ashburton College student executive members are making the most of having food, phones and furniture as they lead into next week. Photo Susan SandysSchool days will be particularly challenging for Ashburton College student executive members next week.

On Tuesday, they will go without food, Wednesday without furniture, Thursday without talking, and Friday without their cellphones.

The sacrifices they are making are leading up to the World Vision 40-hour Famine from June 5 to 7.

This year, the money is going to support climate-vulnerable communities in Malawi.

“Considering they have a challenge every day, the things we have specifically chosen are the things we usually take for granted,” said head of student welfare Rowiri Howell.

And he had no doubt which of the sacrifices would be the most difficult.

“For us it would be no talking, because naturally, as students, we connect with our teachers and our peers,” Rowiri said.

Most student executive members agreed, and head girl Poppy Kilworth said they were considering taping their mouths to make it easier.

However, head boy Henry Chapman was more concerned about Tuesday, believing the hours between 9am and 3pm would be the most difficult of the whole week.

He said he would particularly miss the peanut butter sandwiches he usually always packed into his school lunch box.

None of the students were too worried about being without their phones, or having to sit on the floor or stand for classes on Wednesday when they can’t use furniture.

Indeed, they are all looking forward to the week, particularly being able to raise money for a cause they feel passionate about.

Even one or two dollars can make the difference between struggle and failure for Malawians, they said.

Most Malawians were subsistence farmers, and one poor harvest due to drought or flood could cause widespread  hunger.

By Susan Sandys © The Ashburton Guardian - 27 May 2020