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Updated Sunday, August 16, 2009 2:34 pm TWN, By Rainbow Liu, Special to The China Post



	Maria Barchenger, right, a fresh college graduate from the U.S., and her friends watch performances by Taiwanese aboriginal children and testimonials shared by children who had been supported by World Vision. (Courtesy of World Vision Taiwan) More Photos (2)

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Thousands join in charity rally

TAIPEI, Taiwan -- You are in a massive stadium. All around you, people are wearing black t-shirts, on which is printed the picture of a starving child in need of your support. In your hands you hold a bottle of water that will get you through the next 30 hours. When your gaze rises, you see that more than 16,000 people are around you — kneeling, praying, fighting … today, you are a hunger warrior.

World Vision's 20th 30 Hour Famine Hero Rally gathered more than 16,000 yesterday at the Multipurpose Gymnasium of National Taiwan Sport University to raise funds for the impoverished by partaking in the hunger experience. In addition, World Vision organized a 30-hour long production of performances for the very first time that will entertain participants and volunteers until tonight.

In light of the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot, which struck southern and eastern Taiwan on August 7-8, this year's 30 Hour Famine took on a different focus. Instead of celebrating Taiwan's 20 years of generosity toward less fortunate countries as had been previously planned, World Vision encouraged solidarity of the nation providing a new purpose of sending love to the victims among us.

Spokesperson Wang Leehom (王力宏) began the event by calling upon the participants to accomplish the goal of raising US$4 million dollars for children who lost their schools and homes during the Morakot disaster. “Our giving is not trivial,” Wang told the China Post. “My job is to rally Taiwan's support, especially that of the younger generation.”

Wang added that he was especially touched by the number of first-time attendants at this year's 30 Hour Famine rally.

“When Blackie (黑人) — a popular TV host — asked which people had come for the very first time, more than 90 percent of the people raised their hands. The place was packed,”he pointed out.

Although similarly inspired by the large amount of participants, long-time Ambassador Sylvia Chang (張艾嘉) also expressed her concern for the follow-up of financial support in the aftermath of the 30 Hour Famine.

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