FAQs

The World Vision 40 Hour Famine is New Zealand’s largest youth fundraising event. Every year since 1975, hundreds of thousands of young Kiwis have taken a stand through a 40 Hour Challenge to raise money and bring hope to thousands of children living in poverty in more than 40 countries. Traditionally, the 40 Hour Challenge meant going without food for 40 hours. However, over the years, people have become creative, finding fun new challenges such as giving up their phone, YouTube or Netflix for 40 hours. Or how about living out of a backpack, doing 40 good deeds, or taking a 40-hour vow of silence – whatever your idea is, just go for it! 
 
So far, more than 3 million New Zealanders have participated and over $80 million has been raised – helping to transform thousands of lives both here in New Zealand, and around the world. We’d love for you to join us. 

When you sign up for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine you commit to doing a challenge or go without something for a length of time (often 40 hours) and ask people to sponsor you. Traditionally, the 40 Hour Challenge meant going without food for 40 hours but there are so many options. Choose from 20 to 40 Hour Challenges, your imagination is the only limit – whatever idea you have to raise money this year, go for it. From giving up food or your phone, to living out of a backpack, or running a bake sale, no idea is a bad idea. 

If you are part of a team/school/church taking part in the 40 Hour Famine: 

Collect a Sponsorship Book from your Famine Organiser or, if you are not in a team, you can order your Sponsorship Book here. Once you’ve set your 40 Hour Challenge and your fundraising goal, we recommend activating a personal online fundraising page – it’s the easiest way to raise awareness and collect donations. You can also set yourself a goal online and in the Sponsorship Book to let everyone know how much you are hoping to raise. 

If you are taking part in the 40 Hour Famine as an individual: 

Activate a personal online fundraising profile to collect donations online – it’s the easiest way to raise awareness and collect donations. If you would rather collect the donations in cash face to face, order a Sponsorship Book here. You can also set yourself a goal online and in the Sponsorship Book to let everyone know how much you are hoping to raise. 

For everyone: 

Then start fundraising. Let your family and friends know that you are doing the 40 Hour Famine challenge and ask them to sponsor you. The funds you raise go towards supporting World Vision’s work to help the world’s most vulnerable children. 

Now, do the 40 Hour Challenge. This year, the 40 Hour Famine will be taking place from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th June 2019 but if those dates don’t suit you, pick ones that do. As long as all your donation money is banked by the 5th July 2019, it’s really up to you. 

And finally, collect your sponsorship money (if your sponsors haven’t donated to you online) and give the money to your Famine Organiser by 5th July 2019. Then give yourself a pat on the back and know that you’ve done an amazing job to help support the children of South Sudan.  

For more information, watch our video.

Going without food is just one way of participating in the 40 Hour Famine; there are heaps of other 40 Hour Famine Challenges.  
 
If you do choose to the 40 Hour ‘No-Food’ Famine, use the below as a guide only. Your parents should ultimately decide what best suits you, as everyone is different.   
 
High School or 14+ years - maximum 40 hours (8pm Fri – 12pm Sun) 
Intermediate School or 11 - 13 years - maximum 20 hours (8pm Fri - 4pm Sat) 
Primary School or 8 - 10 years - maximum 20 hours - only miss one meal (6pm Fri - 2pm Sat) 
Under 8 years - choose a different challenge, e.g., no furniture, no-TV, or the no-talking challenge 
 
We recommend you drink plenty of water or fruit juice to keep hydrated. We also suggest eating a glucose product from time to time for energy.  
 
Important: If participants are unwell, diabetic, on medication, elderly, pregnant, breast-feeding, playing sports, or have any other food or dietary requirements/concerns, please choose a different 40 Hour Famine challenge – you can be creative, or there are plenty of alternative challenges to choose from. Check out our resources for plenty of ideas. 

There are plenty of ways to get fundraising in a team or on your own. 
 
Many people choose alternative 40 Hour Challenges, like giving up technology, talking, electricity or even furniture! Others hold their own fundraising event, wash cars, or do an activity that lasts 40 hours, like walking, running, or playing a sport. Be as creative as you like and do it in a team or on your own; the main thing is that you get involved!