Hungry, tired and cold for Syria

IN THEIR SHOES: As part of their World Vision 40 Hour Famine fundraising efforts and to simulate the turmoil faced by Syrian refugees, Mangapapa Church youth (from left back) Hannah Overbye, Pip Murphy, Tabea Walker and Alicia Hoskin spent Saturday night fasting and trying to sleep in outdoor shelters while youth group leaders carried out simulation bomb raids around them. Picture supplied

WAR-TORN Syria isn’t the place many people would volunteer to spend their time, but the youth of Mangapapa Church did almost that on Saturday.

Fundraising for World Vision’s 40 Hour Famine, 17 members of the church youth group spent Saturday night sleeping in self-constructed, makeshift shelters while they were exposed to a simulation of the turmoil faced by refugees.

“It makes you imagine if it was for real how much scarier and how much harder it would be,” said 15-year-old youth group member and Gisborne Boys’ High School student Brett Hockey.

The refugee simulation night took place on the neighbouring rural properties of the Hoskin and Hockey families, both members of the church.

Participating youth, who were fasting as part of the traditional famine experience, were required to build their own outdoor sleeping shelters for the night.

An actress playing the part of a Syrian woman then warned the group about conflict between rebel factions in the area and the likelihood of civilian attacks.

“I was on edge all night, I didn’t know what was going to happen. I didn’t know who to trust. It all felt so real,” said 16-year-old youth group member and Gisborne Girls’ High School student Alicia Hoskin.

Woken by simulations of artillery fireDuring the evening the dedicated fundraisers were repetitively woken by simulations of artillery fire, bombs and other threatening noises.

“I think I got about 30 minutes sleep,” said Brett, who found the cold and hunger particularly hard to bear.

A simulated bomb raid was launched by youth group leaders in the middle of the night and the volunteers were forced to find their way to a safe place while avoiding smudge pot fires and balloon bombs.

“The bombs and the guns were so close,” said Alicia, who was particularly taken with the experience.

“It gave me a glimpse of what the refugees have gone through, particularly teenagers, the fear of not knowing what would happen, where their family had gone, where safe houses were,” she said.

Despite losing out on sleep, food and warmth, the two high school students were happy to take part.

“It was challenging but it was a good experience to show us what refugees go through,” said Brett.

“I thought it was great to experience stuff like that and to know we can offer a bit of help by raising money,” said Alicia.

Kate Ney, one of the youth group leaders was impressed with the young people’s endurance.

“They did it great, it was loads of fun,” she said.

Mrs Ney says fundraising is going well and the support from the church has been great.

Donations are still being collected and can be given directly at the church office or online via the World Vision website.