Petra Bagust becomes New Zealand’s number one famine participant

Petra Bagust has become New Zealand’s top famine fundraiser, bringing in $54,109.32 in the recent 40-hour famine.

Being pregnant, Petra opted not to deprive herself of food, but to go without something that would hurt just as much – technology. No mobile phone, text or landline, no TV, no computer, no videos, no driving, microwaves, radios, stereos or walkmans for 40 hours. In today’s technology-reliant world, it was a sacrifice that caused enough distress so as to be constantly reminded of what it means to do without. “I got a lot of gardening and reading done, and even managed a spot of knitting!” says Petra. “Technology is a bit like food to us these days, we use it regularly on a daily basis and take for granted that it will be there, to go without was a good reminder to me of how much we have in comparison to most of the world around us.”

Petra was one of around 135,000 New Zealanders doing their bit for those less fortunate. Most went without food for 40 hours although some, like Petra, chose to do without something that would have just as much personal impact – if not more.

A total of 1301 New Zealanders pledged their support to Petra, with an average donation of $38, indicative of New Zealand’s high rate of charitable giving. Says Famine Manager, Geoff Sharp, “Of the 17 countries in the world that do the famine, New Zealand has the highest fundraising rate per capita.”

World Vision gave New Zealanders an option to sponsor Petra through their magazine mailout, Impact, as well as online and SMS automatic donations.

Already, $33,000 of the famine’s funds has been allocated to refugee aid in Jordan where World Vision is expecting thousands of displaced war victims to flee.