Walk the World, Fight Hunger

To raise awareness about the 400 million hungry children all over the world, World Food Programme organized a 5 km walking event all over the world annually. Why the 5 km walk, why not shorter? It reminds us that a child dies every 5 seconds due to hunger or related causes. It also aims to raise funds to finance projects that assist hungry children for example with their School feeding programme. By giving food at school, not only it attracts hungry children to school, but education also broadens their options, helping to lift them of poverty.

This year, on Mother's day, there are two events in NL, in Amstelveen and in Rotterdam. I went to Rotterdam event with Rob & Sita.

It was gezellig. We met up around 11:30 at Willemsplein under the Erasmus bridge when it started to rain a bit. After registering, picking up our t-shirt, cap and balloon, buying mother's day gift for Rob's mom, we had small lunch. One needs energy to walk;)

After some music & speeches, we released the balloons at 13:00. A great sight to see. Then Erica Terpstra, the chairperson of NOC*NSF, gave the start signal. Boy, you could tell she's a pro :) Set 'em op, jongens! Go get 'em! That's what she said from the podium while 3000 of us were starting the walk.

So, we walked (and took some pictures too). During the walk, some stopped at cafe's, some went to shop, some was trying to work out the quiz they gave us. (There are 38 buttons on Peter the Great's statue, Euromas is 185m high)

That day, we collected €125000, enough to feed 5000 kids for a year.

I know that the walk won't do much against poverty in the world, but knowing that some kids out there can get meal & education gave me good feeling inside.

For more information about hunger in the world:
Hunger map
Hunger facts