The big day is here and all I can think of is what to eat before I began the famine. Something to last 30 hours. Given the choices between “Bak Kut Teh” (pork stewed in herbal soup) which Klang is famous for, or “Bak Kut Rice” (Chinese pork chop) which has a famous stall opposite the Klang bus station, I chose the later.
At 9.30 a.m. we ordered pork 
chops, curry mutton in clay pot, fried meat balls and stir fried vegetable. I polished these off with two bowls of rice and drowned them with thick homemade soy milk. One of us remarked that we should not have ordered soy milk as we will be given some for the famine little did we know that the rules had been changed this year and water will be our only subsistence for the 30 hours.
chops, curry mutton in clay pot, fried meat balls and stir fried vegetable. I polished these off with two bowls of rice and drowned them with thick homemade soy milk. One of us remarked that we should not have ordered soy milk as we will be given some for the famine little did we know that the rules had been changed this year and water will be our only subsistence for the 30 hours.When we reached Stadium Putra in Bukit Jalil, we knew this will 
be a well organized event when we saw volunteers welcoming and pointing out direction to participants approaching from the car parks and LRT (light rail transit) station. There were four in our group and we were joined by another friend who took a long bus journey from Kota Tinggi, Johore to Bukit Tinggi, Klang the night before.
be a well organized event when we saw volunteers welcoming and pointing out direction to participants approaching from the car parks and LRT (light rail transit) station. There were four in our group and we were joined by another friend who took a long bus journey from Kota Tinggi, Johore to Bukit Tinggi, Klang the night before.After registration at the entrance, we entered to see some 
volunteers hurriedly eating their box lunches at a corner. I threw a nod their direction as respect for their dedication and sacrifice - no Bak Kut Rice. We were asked whether we would like to join the English or Mandarin speaking group. There were no hesitation among my companions and not wanting to be separated, I joined them with my barely passable Mandarin.
volunteers hurriedly eating their box lunches at a corner. I threw a nod their direction as respect for their dedication and sacrifice - no Bak Kut Rice. We were asked whether we would like to join the English or Mandarin speaking group. There were no hesitation among my companions and not wanting to be separated, I joined them with my barely passable Mandarin.17 participants were grouped together under a volunteer leader 
who had been trained to take charge. Our leader is a pleasant face girl with a sweet smile. In addition to the 5 of us, there were a group of 4 upper six students, 2 colleagues who brought along 2 young relative, a determined young girl is her third famine who brought along 2 younger charges and one lone ranger from Penang. A significant number in our group had done this before. It is interesting and encouraging to note the big number of repeats and participants bringing along their younger charge after experiencing the famine. This alone convinced me that this 
experience is meaningful enough for past campers to want to share it with those close to them.
who had been trained to take charge. Our leader is a pleasant face girl with a sweet smile. In addition to the 5 of us, there were a group of 4 upper six students, 2 colleagues who brought along 2 young relative, a determined young girl is her third famine who brought along 2 younger charges and one lone ranger from Penang. A significant number in our group had done this before. It is interesting and encouraging to note the big number of repeats and participants bringing along their younger charge after experiencing the famine. This alone convinced me that this experience is meaningful enough for past campers to want to share it with those close to them.Ours were the oldest in the group. And I was by far the oldest of any of them. It took us more than half an hour of looking around before we saw someone older. The median age is very young, way below 20. I was impressed. And I could not help thinking – this is encouraging for the future of our society when the young 
have such positive response to social responsibility. Later, we learned that the oldest participant is 72 (and a repeat) and the youngest is only 2! So while the age group is overwhelmingly concentrated in the late teens to early twenties, the range is as big as you can get. Maybe something I can use to convince my hesitant friends (yes, you who are reading too!:-)) that this famine is for all.
have such positive response to social responsibility. Later, we learned that the oldest participant is 72 (and a repeat) and the youngest is only 2! So while the age group is overwhelmingly concentrated in the late teens to early twenties, the range is as big as you can get. Maybe something I can use to convince my hesitant friends (yes, you who are reading too!:-)) that this famine is for all.
We changed to our bright orange T-shirt. The volunteers wore lemon yellow. On the way back to the hall, I bumped into a group of Miss Astro finalists with their ‘poise’ and almost burst into song “I’m too sexy for my clothes, too sexy for my clothes”. We settled down in our assigned seating and waited for the program to start at 12.00 noon.At exactly the stroke of twelve, 
emcees William Lee and Yap Cam Yew burst upon stage with their rapid exchanges of dual languages and individual brand of humor. They were effective in getting the campers to loosen up. Much of the success of this camp can be attributed to this dynamic duo who if nothing else kept the audience from falling asleep.
emcees William Lee and Yap Cam Yew burst upon stage with their rapid exchanges of dual languages and individual brand of humor. They were effective in getting the campers to loosen up. Much of the success of this camp can be attributed to this dynamic duo who if nothing else kept the audience from falling asleep.To engage the campers, a series of games and events followed. The 
first game started with aping those on stage performing the antics of Superman, the Incredible Hulk and Ultraman. Soon, giggling and laughter echoed through the stadium. Gigantic balloons were rolled down from the upper floors threatening to crush those below. But they were enthusiastically flicked away for the group left holding them when the music stopped, had to do the funny banana dance to accompaniment of “…peel banana, peel banana, shake banana, shake banana…” The ice-breaker melted away any inhibitions and restraints.
first game started with aping those on stage performing the antics of Superman, the Incredible Hulk and Ultraman. Soon, giggling and laughter echoed through the stadium. Gigantic balloons were rolled down from the upper floors threatening to crush those below. But they were enthusiastically flicked away for the group left holding them when the music stopped, had to do the funny banana dance to accompaniment of “…peel banana, peel banana, shake banana, shake banana…” The ice-breaker melted away any inhibitions and restraints.
1.00 p.m. - Time to slow down the tempo slightly. Each camper was given a piece of white paper to draw himself. After this was done we were to match the drawn picture with the actual person. That was not an easy task given our ‘talent’ at drawing. It was fun and we came to the unsurprising conclusion – there was no artist among our group of 18 for we were all equally good. To get blood flowing again, waves after waves of Mexican waves rippled through the stadium from one end to the other and back again.
1.30 p.m. – Now came the time to show campers what to expect of the 30 hours famine. Stages and highlights of the last camp were shown. Campers were advised on how to handle and brace themselves for the duration. As no events can be successfully held without rules of conduct, this was explained in detail to campers on what are expected of them.
2.00 p.m. – The official ceremony started with the arrival of the guests of honor - the Minister of Transport, the MD of World Vision International, the chief editor of Sing Chew Jit Poh (SCJP) newspaper and the chairman of Help University. SCJP had been supporting the famine since its inception 10 years ago and Help U for the last 7 years. These 2 bodies were instrumental in its success. In unison, all campers stood up, raised their right hands to make the Famine Pledge.
We pledge to willingly and passionately participate in this 30-Hour Famine to help children living in poverty.
We are fasting to ensure that no child has to grow up losing the basic rights that he or she is entitled to.
We are fasting because nothing will change if we do not take action together.
I understand that I am pledging to drink only water during the 30 hours and will also try my best to refrain from negative thoughts and speech.
Instead, I will do my utmost to 
help each member to complete and experience this camp to its fullness.
help each member to complete and experience this camp to its fullness.This official opening began with these 4 dignitaries pounding on Chinese drums to the roar of approval from the campers. As the dignitaries left, the Hands Percussion Team took over with an amazing display of exploding sounds that reverberate through the stadium moving hearts to its beats. Lighting movements produced galloping sounds to thunderous boom. The sound dropped down to cascading water, metallic taps before rising in volume and urgency of an approaching tsunami. We loved their performance.
4.00 p.m. – We went outside to the corridors to do two activities. We 
were each given a wet string which we stringed through our T-shirt over the shoulder and out the other end. The cold wet string gave an unpleasant sensation as it ran under our neck. We sat in a circle and tied the end of the string to that of our neighbor.
were each given a wet string which we stringed through our T-shirt over the shoulder and out the other end. The cold wet string gave an unpleasant sensation as it ran under our neck. We sat in a circle and tied the end of the string to that of our neighbor.To make it more fun, we challenged our neighboring group to see who can do it faster at the shout of “Go!” It was explained how water shortage is so critical in some 
country that they will drink water infected with Guinea worms. These grew in their bodies and later bit its way out through the swollen leg in excruciating pain. We tied the strings to our wrist for the duration of the camp to remind ourselves of the suffering of some of the world’s children.
country that they will drink water infected with Guinea worms. These grew in their bodies and later bit its way out through the swollen leg in excruciating pain. We tied the strings to our wrist for the duration of the camp to remind ourselves of the suffering of some of the world’s children.The next exercise consisted of trying to make a house with whatever materials at hand – bottles, strings, masking tapes and newspaper. No only are we not artists, we were hopeless architects and constructors too. While we were having healthy laughs at our own incompetency, at the back of our mind we must also be thinking how ill-equipped we are if we were to face the world without our trappings.
5.00 p.m. – We went back to the hall to watch a documentary on the suffering of the forgotten people of Ethiopia. It was a brutal movie not of war but of the slow punishing ordeal of starvation that drew gasps and mourns from the audience. Next, Dr. Wang Chao of World Vision China shared his unique experience with us. Through his eyes, we see the many projects carried out in China. The challenges they faced and their fortitudes in overcoming them. This segment concluded with our deep respects and love even, for these noble volunteers who are willing to sacrifice
everything for strangers. I am quite sure it inspired a number of the audience to be volunteers themselves.
everything for strangers. I am quite sure it inspired a number of the audience to be volunteers themselves.6.00 p.m. – We adjourned to the upper level 3 to allow the level below to be prepared for the concert that night. We had some time to do whatever we desired. We went round to visit some of the booths set up and we chatted. Till now, I was holding up admirably well and hunger had not visited me yet but I have only 
completed 20% of my journey. As I sat on the upper floor surveying the activities below, I had mixed feelings. I had enjoyed myself. So much so that a little guilt had crept in. In the face of all the suffering all over the world, I felt a little underserved to be living the good life. If I had felt a bit hungrier, maybe that will assuage this feeling somewhat.
But then, I remembered there is a role for everyone in this 
world. Not all can be volunteers but ALL can play a part. I will work in the office, I will earn my money and I will contribute a portion of it to help those more in need than me. I will not be nobler than the selfless volunteers but I can still be a noble person. As these thoughts flitted across my mind, I remembered the wise words of Mother Teresa –
world. Not all can be volunteers but ALL can play a part. I will work in the office, I will earn my money and I will contribute a portion of it to help those more in need than me. I will not be nobler than the selfless volunteers but I can still be a noble person. As these thoughts flitted across my mind, I remembered the wise words of Mother Teresa –“If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one.”
To be continued...
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