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QAMANITTUAQ/BAKER LAKE
A group of students in Baker Lake had a taste of what it's like to go hungry this past month.

Aulajaaqtut 12 students Nicole Hachey, Robin Iqqaat, Kiligvak Tookoome, Katrina Mautaritnaaq, Atuat Tagoona, Meagan Mariq, Nealson Mautaritnaak, Shadrach Mautaritnaaq, Bobbi-Jo Sweetland (Grade 10) and Evelyn Cook, from left, raised almost $1,300 during a 30-hour-famine at Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School in Baker Lake this past month. Missing from photo is Charles Martee. - photo courtesy of Becky Tootoo

Jonah Amitnaaq Secondary School's Aulajaaqtut 12 class did a 30-hour famine as part of the course requirement to complete 25 hours of volunteering with a focus on the global world.

Teacher Becky Tootoo said the students also used the famine to raise funds to help hungry kids.

She said the class set a goal of raising $1,500.

"They were close and raised $1,299.48," said Tootoo.

"They raised the money by collecting pledges and through private businesses.

"Their wish is for the funds to be used to help feed children in Ethiopia.

"They had to write personal reflections every three or four hours on the famine, which helped them to experience what children in countries around the world are feeling because of hunger."

Going without food for 30 hours was enough to give the students a glimpse of how terrible life can be without any form of food security.

Many were quick to note the physical symptoms that took hold as the hours passed without food.

Headaches began to plague Nicole Hachey and her muscles began to feel weak.

"I learned a lot about how much hunger can cause," said Hachey.

"I'm proud of myself for going through with this 30-hour famine, but this is nothing compared to what people in the Third World countries go through."

Meagan Mariq said when she began to get hungry, she had to remind herself the Aulajaaqtut 12 class was doing the famine for a good cause.

She said she was also proud to have participated.

"I was hungry, but that was nothing compared to all those people in Third World countries," said Mariq.

"It breaks my heart."

Nealson Mautaritnaaq started to get hungry less than five hours into the famine.

He said when thirst set in, he started to understand what poor people in Third World countries endure.

"We need to give them money for food, and they need protection and education too," said Mautaritnaaq.

"The hardest part of the famine was not thinking of food."

The students shared a lot of pride in taking part in the famine and being able to raise almost $1,300 to help.

Katrina Mautaritnaaq echoed the sentiments of many when she described the famine as a real learning experience.

"I'm glad we did this for children who are going through this and need the money for food, safety, education and clean drinking water," said Mautaritnaaq.

"I hope we sponsor a lot of people from the money we raised."

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