Two Letters, Hundreds of Responses, One Big IF

This weekend we joined more than 200 other organisations to play our part in the BIG IF. And what a weekend it was – more than 45,000 people gathered in Hyde Park to lend their voices to our call for the G8 to take notice – and take action – on world hunger.

Just last week a new study revealed that the number of children dying through malnutrition has risen from 2 million (the number we’ve been using throughout the campaign) to a massive 3.1 million. This increase has to stop.

To help us explain just what it feels like to not have enough food, we asked some of our sponsored children to write of their own experiences. After reading the two letters we chose to share, we asked people swinging by the stand in Hyde Park to write a response to the children. Here are the letters and just a small selection of the hundreds of responses we received.

Victoria’s Letter

Dear Sir,
My name is Victoria, I’m 10 years old. In my house I eat with my family potatoes, rice, noodles and for breakfast I eat tea with bread. I’d like to have fruits like bananas, grapes and watermelon, apples, apricots and milk.
Sometimes children get sick because they are not well nourished and they don’t learn well.
We must be well nourished to study to have a good future.
Victoria

Responses to Victoria:

“Hello Victoria, I am a grandmother in the UK and I want you to have the same opportunities as my granddaughter for enough to eat, education and a job that will enable you to give back to your community. I have come to the IF campaign to support you and campaign for a FAIRER WORLD. God bless you and your family, Juliet”

“Dear Victoria, I just wanted to let you know that today I am standing with thousands of others in solidarity for a better life for you, your family and community. We will not rest until you get all that you need and deserve. You are our hero, Ben”

“My daughter Grace and I came to the IF Campaign Rally in the UK today, to let you know that we want hunger to stop. We are thinking of all those who are hungry today, Jane”

“Dear Victoria, in England we are thinking of you, your family and other’s in your situation. We are at this rally to support you all and will do what we can to assist. Stay positive. There are many greedy, selfish people in the world, but there are also many people who are here to try and make a difference. You will not be forgotten, Hazel”

“Hi Victoria, there are many people who care about you and all the children in your community. We are in the UK campaigning to change your life. Amit”

Rubel’s Letter

Greetings from Bangladesh,
Hope you are quite well. I am Rubel and living with my poor parents including two sisters and a brother from ethnic minoirty Garo community at a small village. My parents are day labourers and their income is per day US$2.30 which is very insufficient for us.
Most of days we cannot get food twice in a day. My brother and sisters including me were fallen to malnutrition.
We expect your kind support to the poor people in Bangladesh. My God bless your family.
Your loving
Rubel

Responses to Rubel:

“Dear Rubel, we are helping you to get more food. And trying to share more food, love Daniel (age 7) and Samuel (age 4)”

“Hi Rubel! I’m sorry that you and your family are hungry. It’s not fair. There are millions of people around the world who want to help you so we will try. Good luck and I hope that things will get better, love Sam”

“I hope you have all the food you need. I will do all I can to help. I care and so do millions of others. Ghazala”

“Hello Rubel, we are concerned about you, we want you to grow as a good child and be a future for the world. Our prayers are with you, with support, Benny”

“Dear Rubel, I have read your letter – may God bless you and your family. There are lots of people meeting here in Hyde Park London to tell our Prime Minister and the government to help people like you to have more food and to make it known at the big world G8 meeting here in the UK – love to you and your family, Janet”

One more week

Saturday was a huge day for everyone involved, but working for World Vision we never cease to be touched by the love and support you show to the children you support.

There is still a week to go before this campaign ends, still time to share your voice, still time to make the G8 hear our prayer for their wisdom and action on world hunger.

This is our moment – let’s seize it for Rubel, for Victoria and for the millions of children affected by undernutrition around the globe.

If you want to see how much fun we had spreading this message on Saturday you can check out the photo album on our Facebook page.